Australian aXcess concept car attracts the world<\/p>\n
The Australian aXcess concept car, fresh from its success at
\nthe Society of Automotive Engineers International Congress and
\nExpo in Detroit, is setting its sights on Southeast Asia.<\/p>\n
It will be the main attraction at the Automechanika Asia trade
\nfair in Singapore from April 27 to April 29.<\/p>\n
Not surprisingly, one of the car's key targets is the
\nSoutheast Asian car industry.<\/p>\n
Despite the recent meltdown of Asian currencies and world
\nfocus on the woes of the region, the 130 Australian automotive
\nparts manufacturers involved in the project have a long-term view
\ntowards the region.<\/p>\n
Automechanika Asia, organized by leading trade show organizer
\nMesse Frankfurt, is a platform for auto parts, services and the
\ncar maintenance industry. It is not a car show as such.<\/p>\n
The aXcess car will be supported by 50 Australian companies
\nwho will also exhibit.<\/p>\n
The car will complement a conference on Automotive
\nManufacturing in Australia on the second day of the fair.<\/p>\n
Many Southeast Asian carmakers are expected to visit the show
\nsolely because of the aXcess car and its ability to showcase
\nAustralia component suppliers at a one-stop location.<\/p>\n
After Singapore, the aXcess road show then starts a series of
\nexhibitions throughout the rest of Southeast Asia.<\/p>\n
The concept car is a running \"mule\" -- a fully prepared car --
\ndesigned to showcase Australian component manufacturing and
\ndesign ideas.<\/p>\n
It was designed by Millard Design, which is also involved in
\nthe Maleo project in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Among the concept car's many technical highlights are a one-
\npiece carbon-fiber body riveted to a steel chassis, clamshell
\ndoor openings that remove the B-pillar, a six-cylinder two-
\nstroke, 160kW 2.3-liter supercharged Orbital engine, four-speed
\nelectronic gearbox with a shift selection by push buttons or
\nvoice activation, rear suspension by a transverse composite fiber
\nleaf spring and memory key-card for personalized seat, mirror and
\nentertainment systems.<\/p>\n
It is truly a car for tomorrow but will only ever be used as a
\nshowcase of Australian ingenuity and design.<\/p>\n
The car's interior design is also a feature in itself.<\/p>\n
It is quiet inside with low levels of noise, vibration and
\nharshness entering the cabin from the power train.<\/p>\n
Excellent outward visibility is enhanced by the open-air
\nfeeling conveyed by the polycarbonate roof panels.<\/p>\n
The integration and location of the driver controls and
\ninformation on the instrument cluster and center console panel
\ncreate a high-tech ambience that is softened and warmed by a
\nfully color-coded interior trim featuring a combination of
\nleather, fabric and magnesium die-cast treatment.<\/p>\n
Millard wanted to convey a sense of the various raw materials
\nused, including lightweight metals, and as such, a variety of
\nfinishes including metal, leather and plastics, are exposed.<\/p>\n
The interior trim is coded in blues and earthy tones that
\nreflect the designer's theme of fun and the adventurous, outdoor
\nAustralian lifestyle.<\/p>\n
The exposed X-frame offers an interior with superb all-round
\nvisibility, enhanced by a see-through roof.<\/p>\n
Without a roof head lining, the X shape of the frame forms two
\nsee-through panels in the roof, alongside two solar panels.<\/p>\n
These solar panels power a ventilation extraction fan that
\noperations when the car is stationary.<\/p>\n
A sophisticated seating design compensates for the lack of a
\nB-pillar for mounting of passenger restraints.<\/p>\n
All four bucket seats incorporate side air bags, seat-belt
\nmounts, pretensioners and in the case of the front seats, belt
\nretractors.<\/p>\n
They were developed specifically for the aXcess car by
\nAustralian companies Hendersons Automotive, Melba Industries,
\nHowe & Co, Australian Arrow and Autoliv.<\/p>\n
The front seats are a lightweight design incorporating
\nmagnesium frames, four-way lumbar support and memory power
\nadjustment.<\/p>\n
A rear passenger entertainment center is housed in an
\nautomatic-opening rear seat center console, incorporating a Sony
\nPlaystation and video player linked to screens in the rear of the
\nfront seats.<\/p>\n
If you miss the concept car in Singapore, don't worry, it will
\nalso be shown in Thailand, Malaysia and South Korea.<\/p>\n
It is also tipped to appear at the Jakarta motor show in July.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/australian-axcess-concept-car-attracts-the-world-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }