Cutting-edge Mi-ray just might draw blood

by Steven Mostyn - Apr 1 2011, 13:14

Although the sexy Chevrolet Mi-ray may never progress beyond being a merely tantalising prototype, we like it so much it would be remiss not to at least grant it a moment in the spotlight.

Expected to occupy pride of place on Chevrolet's stand during this year's Seoul Motor Show in South Korea, the roadster concept boasts an angular and aggressive design that harks back to a time before endlessly sleek lines and the subtlety of gentle curvature.

Indeed, while the retro twin-seat Mi-ray owes more of a debt to the Lamborghini Countach than the Mclaren F1, its somewhat outrageous appeal is instant. It's just a shame it will likely never make it to Chevrolet showrooms.

According to Chevrolet, the Mi-ray's carbon fibre and reinforced plastic exterior is inspired by the 1963 Monza SS of yesteryear, while its performance clearly takes its notes from more modern, eco-friendly times.

Indeed, when tootling around town, the Mi-ray is powered by a mid-electric propulsion system that utilises two front-mounted 15kw electric motors, which, Chevrolet claims, enable solid acceleration and zero emissions while urban driving.

On the performance front, the Mi-ray also boasts a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged engine that's capable of working in conjunction with the electric engine  for delivering automatic torque control to the car's wheels as and when necessary.

Other features include a dual-clutch transmission, interchangeable front, rear and all-wheel drive, aluminium-carbon fibre composite wheels (20-inch on the front, 21-inch on the back), gull-wing doors, retractable flaps for increased airflow, and even an interactive dashboard projection.  

Incidentally, Chevrolet's Mi-ray branding translates into 'the future' in Korean. Let's hope the Mi-ray lives up to its name... somehow we doubt it.

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