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I.DE.A Institute Sofia - Click above for high-res image gallery

What's the one thing that would fix the automotive industry today? Fresh ideas, you say? Well, this isn't quite that. In fact auto shows these days - Geneva particularly - have become packed with legions of swoopy, stylish four-door hybrid concepts. What this is, though, is one of the more attractive ones we've seen to date.

Created by the quizzically-abbreviated I.DE.A. Institute, the Sofia's hourglass shape is (according to the press release after the jump, at least) inspired by the female form. And we don't have much trouble believing that line, curvaceous as it is. The hybrid part, though, is pure fantasy. Because like many design studies, the I.DE.A. Sofia is an empty body shell. It's got no interior, but more to the point, it has no mechanicals inside. Its creators say it could theoretically accommodate a V8 engine, with or without the assistance of an electric motor, driving either the front wheels or the rear.

Like it? Don't get too excited by the prospect of production. The I.DE.A Institute claims to have contributed to designs for numerous major automakers, but in its 30-year history has produced more household appliances and furniture. But for the next upstart looking to join the likes of Fisker and Tesla, the sumptuous shape could be just the ticket. Don't take our word for it; have a closer look for yourself in the galleries below.


Gallery: Geneva 2010: I.DE.A. Institute Sofia


Gallery: I.DE.A Institute Sofia


Photos by Noah Joseph / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

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Geneva 2010: I.DE.A Institute Sofia concept inspired by the female form originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 geneva motor showgenevageneva 2010geneva motor showGeneva2010GenevaMotorShowi.de.a institutei.de.a institute sofiai.de.a sofiaI.de.aInstituteSofiaI.de.aSofiaideaidea instituteidea institute sofiaIdeaInstituteSofiaWed, 03 Mar 2010 15:20:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19381376/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/03/03/geneva-2010-i-de-a-institute-sofia-concept-inspired-by-the-fema/19381376/article-detail.xml 19381376 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/01-i-de-a-concept-10-genevaopt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/01-i-de-a-concept-10-genevaopt.jpg <![CDATA[Geneva Preview: I.DE.A ERA concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/25/geneva-preview-i-de-a-era-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/25/geneva-preview-i-de-a-era-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/25/geneva-preview-i-de-a-era-concept/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the I.DE.A ERA concept

Last May, the I.DE.A Institute - an engineering and consultancy firm based in Turin, Italy - threw together a concept in 30 days to celebrate its 30th anniversary. At next month's Geneva Motor Show, I.DE.A will show a more evolved version of the roadster in the form of the ERA concept.

The open-top two-door gains a set of gull-wing doors, more sculpted sides, a two-tier trunk and a tube-frame chassis in an attempt to show off the firm's design and engineering prowess. Although the interior scaffolding and collagen-infused grille surround may leave something to be desired, we're looking forward to seeing the ERA in person next week.

Gallery: I.DE.A ERA concept


[Source: Autoblog.it]

Geneva Preview: I.DE.A ERA concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eragenevageneva 2009geneva motor showGeneva2009GenevaMotorShowi.de.ai.de.a eraI.de.aEraideaidea eraIdeaEraWed, 25 Feb 2009 19:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1471871/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/02/25/geneva-preview-i-de-a-era-concept/1471871/article-detail.xml 1471871 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/01-idea-era-render_580op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/01-idea-era-render_580op.jpg <![CDATA[IDEA ERA concept built in 30 days to celebrate 30th anniversary]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/16/idea-era-concept-built-in-30-days-to-celebrate-30th-anniversary/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/16/idea-era-concept-built-in-30-days-to-celebrate-30th-anniversary/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/16/idea-era-concept-built-in-30-days-to-celebrate-30th-anniversary/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click on the image for more shots of the IDEA ERA Concept

The term Barchetta, which literally means 'little boat' in Italian, is applied to a small, two-seat open-air sports car called the ERA concept introduced by the Italian styling firm IDEA Institute. Like many past barchettas, the ERA is doorless, meaning drivers and passengers get to do their best Bo Duke impression as they enter the roadster over the doors. What's especially impressive is that such a cool design was drawn up, rendered and molded into reality in just 30 days. Conceived at a meeting on April 8, the vehicle is meant to commemorate IDEA's 30th anniversary and the initial design was approved on the same day. Feverishly working around-the-clock, the vehicle's team pounded out a very nicely designed model, which at this time features no powertrain. With its curvy body and peaked fenders all around, the ERA has a hint of the old Birdcage racer in its profile. Suggested layouts include both a transversely mounted four-banger driving the front wheels or a longitudinal V6 providing the proper rear-wheel-drive layout.

Gallery: IDEA Era Barchetta Concept


[Source: IDEA Institute via Automotive News - sub. req'd]

IDEA ERA concept built in 30 days to celebrate 30th anniversary originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 May 2008 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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