Pun has been nagging the hell out of me to post what my idea of a dream build would be. so here goes i guess.
I would like to build a large, but lightweight, sports vehicle. I would like to make it a true jack of all trades vehicle using modern technology in a fashion that could showcase what is possible. I would use Aircraft Aluminium to build a hybrid unibody w/separate integrated Frame. The Land Rover LR3 currently uses one of these, but it is VERY heavy since it consists of steel. A combination of Hydroforming and Extrusions would combine and press these two together to form the complete body. A weave of CF and High-strength steel would span the roof, saving weight and moving it to a lower center of gravity.
The Suspension would be a Pushrod-type, with High-strength steel upper and Lower A-arms, and a Multilink rear. Shocks would of course be progressive-rate with agressive valving, located lower, and more parallel with the fenders. Wide 18" Aluminium-Alloy rims will wrap around 6-pot calipers at all four corners w/ brake vents coming from the fascia, on 6-bolt hubs.
The Drivetrain can be best considered as the most unique, yet feasible aspect of the vehicle. Power will be coming from a 3.6L Flat-plane crank Boxer-type 8; with a magnetically controlled VVT 3v SOHC(think Nissan's VQ-series VVT on the latest 4.6L Modular V8, and you have a good understanding) the 8 could be manufactured by essentially bolting 2 Subie engines together end to end. the engine would be twin-turbo'd using smaller varible-vane units, specifically for quick spin-up and tuned for low-end torque. once the engine starts picking up, the combination of the boxer 8, the flat-plane crank, and the low displacement should give it an exotic high-rpm ability without detriment to NVH or reliability. All this power would be routed via a torque tube (think corvette) to a rear-mounted 6-speed Automatic transmission. the tranny computer would have up to 5 modes, ranging from snow, ice, normal, race and learn. Learn would be a special mode that in some cases, allow shift programming to be even more aggressive than race, basically a mode to specifcally adapt to your style of driving more quickly than a standard auto may. In LEARN mode, you can set up to 6 custom patterns for how the unit will respond. All this will be delivered to the ground via a 2-speed electromechanical diff that can either be manually set, or will respond automatically to drive patterns. There will be options for paddle shifters, Sequential(think indycar) or a real stir-stick. the chassis will be setup for active AWD that can be set to permanent ratios, or into custom traction settings as well.
The interior will be designed for maximum comfort, while bolstering and belt tensioning are tuned for sporting intentions. none of that active bolstering stuff, but the cushions will be firm, wide, and deeply bolstered. the Dash will use a Combination of Elements, the 'suspended' center console from a Volvo S40, a wide, even boat-dash to preserve interior space will be used, canting the IP and information center towards the driver in a more cockpit style. Electroluminescent Gauges (think Mazda6) will be employed for maximum night vision, and stealth-like good looks. the Primary dial and numbers will stay red, but the panel layout and secondary colorizations will be customizable using the full 32bit color palette, and feature extra options to set contrast, brightness, and opacity(yes, you can set wallpapers onto the IP panel as well. There will be adequate space for 4 large adult passengers (even though it will only have 2 full doors) and a large, open trunk. The final tips for this vehicle will be HID projectors with 3000K single-reflector brights, chromed Lexus-capsule-styled fog lamps, and Multielement LED/Light-tube side, parking, and stop indicators.
being that there is nothing quite like this anywhere even in concept form, I do not have pictures, but I invite you to use your imagination, or if you are artisitically inclined, to draw it.
