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Hyundai QarmaQ – Recycled Plastic Skin
Any concept vehicle with a name derived from the word the Inuit’s use for their dwellings made of Earth, whalebone, and animal skins is bound to be interesting. Hyundai Europe’s Design and Technical Center in Russelsheim, Germany partnered with GE Plastics in the Netherlands to create the QarmaQ a quirky looking Crossover Coup concept.
One of the QarmaQ’s key features is its innovative use of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles to create a large portion of the vehicle’s skin. GE says the use of plastics, instead of more traditional metal and glass, gives the vehicle a 130-pound weight savings. That weight loss equates to 20 gallons a year savings in gas, not to mention fewer plastic bottles clogging up the local landfill. These numbers are nothing to scoff when you think of all the cars on the road.
The Green theme extends further as the vehicle use less paint and other chemicals that create massive amounts of greenhouse gases. Hyundai said some of the production techniques used in the QarmaQ could roll out beginning with the 2008 model year.
Design: Hyundai [ Via: Treehugger ]
8 Comments »
PARANDROID says
A concept
Ashwin Mudigonda says
Qarma seems to be a play with the word Karma. Very Indian, which translates to “action” or “deed”. However, this car’s deeds would definitely offset a decent amount of bottles. It would be even nice if Hyundai asked people to save up bottles and exchange enough for a car!!
xonegon says
they forgot 1 thing, you lose your privacy by showing that part of the seat.
so you can’t scratch you honorable parts in your car anymore discretely.
geekjohn says
You also can’t survive a side impact. Still a very nifty design!
mina says
It is quite a revealing door…if a good looking girl sits in that car wearing a dress or mini, there’ll be a whole lot more distraction than the look of the car.
tosika says
yes now i cant drive with no pants on. haha
Uncle B says
Combine this type body with carbon fiber and polymer composite materials, then add a turbo-bio-diesel with H2 injection/electric plug in drive system, make it a two seater with space for groceries and a super commuter for the (GRD) great republican depression era is born! A veritable mortgage payer and life-saver for the few Americans left with jobs! Just in time for the new “Zero running cost, Zero maintenance” solar and wind powered housing and millions of part-time and “occasional” jobs the service industries of America will provide. Americans will no longer “Live Large” the pendulum is swinging the other way as we speak, and the Asian companies are preparing for the new marketplace, unlike American car companies who line up hat in hand for handouts and hope for the past to come back! Bravo Hyundai! You Win my vote for realistic progress
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