2007 Geneva Auto Show Wrap: beON Concept Aims To Fix "Unappealing" Image of Hybrids

GENEVA — The class assignment was intriguing: Start with the premise that hybrid vehicles have a "somewhat unappealing image" and come up with a vehicle that is more "emotional" than intellectual. The result is the beON hybrid, which made its debut at this month's Geneva auto show.

The beON is the brainchild of students at the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) of Turin, Italy. They were directed by Luca Borgogno, a Pininfarina designer, and Carsten Astheimer, head of design at the Brunswick Boat Group. The beON is a two-seat off-road sports car with a sunroof. It is powered by a hybrid thermal-electric engine connected to a hydraulic transmission system located within each wheel hub. Its creators say this futuristic setup guarantees "excellent off-road performance" and also means traditional disc and caliper braking can be eliminated.

© Source: article on insideline
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