Chevrolet
Miray Roadster Concept
The
Miray was developed at the GM Advanced Design Studio in Seoul. Combining
cutting-edge hybrid propulsion technology and advanced styling, it balances
iconic Chevrolet design cues with a future design vision as Chevrolet
celebrates its centennial in 2011.
The
Miray pays tribute to Chevrolet’s sports car heritage. It is small and open
like the 1963 Monza SS, and light and purposeful like the 1962 Corvair Super
Spyder. Its aerodynamic fuselage is reminiscent of modern jet fighters.
Made
of carbon fiber and CFRP (carbon fiber-reinforced plastic), the wedged body
side is divided by an angled character line, with ambient lighting underneath.
This accent creates a sweeping line of light when the car is in motion,
bringing a warm glow to the sculptured body. Le Mans racer-style scissor doors
open up and out of the way for dramatic access to the interior.
The
powerful front end offers a reinterpretation of the Chevrolet face. The Miray’s
dual port grille is flanked by LED headlamps with new signature daytime running
lamps. The front and rear fenders evoke Chevrolet Corvettes of the past and
express the concept’s sports car spirit. At the corners, carbon-fiber spoilers
help control down force and airflow.
The
Miray features aluminum-carbon fiber composite 20-inch wheels in front and
21-inch wheels in the rear. The strong turbine theme evokes movement, even when
the Miray is stationary.
The
interior of the Miray echoes Chevrolet’s racing heritage. As with the exterior,
it takes inspiration from jet fighters. The Miray contains a melange of brushed
aluminum, natural leather, white fabric and liquid metal surfaces, for an
overall effect of sculptural velocity. The cockpit is driver focused, drawing
inspiration from the iconic Chevrolet sports car. However, the passenger is also
fully engaged in the driving experience.
Retractable
rearview cameras, which replace traditional rearview mirrors, extend from the
side glass electrically. In city driving, the forward-facing camera operates in
conjunction with GPS to overlay navigation information with real-time video.
The
Miray features a concept “mid-electric” propulsion system, located primarily
behind and beneath the driver, that maximizes performance and fuel efficiency. The
Miray is propelled by two front-mounted 15-kW electric motors for quick
acceleration and zero emissions in urban driving. The motors are powered by a
1.6-kWh lithium-ion battery that is charged through regenerative braking
energy. The Miray has the capability of being switched from front-wheel drive
to rear-wheel drive.
For
performance driving, the Miray’s 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine
combines with the electric motors, providing spirited torque control to both
the left and right wheels as needed. The high-tech engine, mounted behind the
cockpit, drives the rear wheels while seamlessly integrating electrification
technology that defines a new standard in the compact roadster segment.
A
dual-clutch transmission (DCT) enables a reduction in the powertrain’s size by
eliminating the torque converter. Shifts are quick and firm. The shift pattern
has been tuned for improved top speed in performance mode. A start-stop system
works in conjunction with the DCT.