1996 Foresee Allages - AllCarIndex

In January 1994, the FORESEE Concepts Cars Computer Consultancy G.m.b.H. was founded in Germany by Dutchman Cornelis Steenstra. The combination of the 4 C’s, pronounced as “four-see”, the identical pronunciation as “foresee”, as in foreseeing the future seemed like hitting the nail on the head.

Now with offices in Gibraltar, FORESEE Limited, and the USA, FORESEE Inc., FORESEE is truly a world-wide Automotive Design Consultancy, servicing clients in North-America, Europe and Japan.

Cornelis (Cor) Steenstra had been a professional car designer since the beginning of 1983 following his training at the Transportation Design course of the Royal College of Art in London, working in the design departments of Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and Mazda. Realizing that there were many independant design studios Steenstra set out to have a, then, unique selling point by specializing in the full integration of the latest available computer technology. Cooperation with Alias-Wavefront and Silicon Graphics led to the first few study models intended to display the speed and versatility of the software and the speed of the design process.

Since those early days FORESEE has been continuously evolving, integrating different computer platforms, CAD software systems and Milling facilities to create the optimum creative and efficient design process. Though several companies have followed this lead, FORESEE is still the most creative, efficient and proficient in its field, in design as well as in employing the latest technologies in aid of design.

FORESEE is fortunate to have a multitude of automotive customers, among them: PORSCHE, NISSAN, SUZUKI, MSX, MILAI, MITSUBISHI, TOYOTA, HONDA, RENAULT, DAF TRUCKS, MERCEDES-BENZ, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, GMC, MARLBORO F1, DONKERVOORT, ECO-CAR.

FORESEE through ExVisium B.V. premieres the 3D Autostereo display device giving truly stunning 3D stereo images – without the need for glasses! The ExVisium Monitor is a 42″ or 20″ LCD panel with a lenticular screen for the autostereo display. It is a system, which facilitates the realistic display of computer-generated models through rendering and animation without the use of virtual reality equipment and without reference to models. Integrated in our design method this permits the rapid assessment of design proposals in every shape and form, whilst at the same time avoiding the time-consuming and cost-intensive building of models.

FORESEE demonstrates by means of its Allagès project how it is possible to create on the computer in an extremely short and comprehensive process hand-drafted sketches, precise illustrations, quick 3D model studies, detailed 3D models, Autostereo display presentations and 1:1 scale models.

Thus, FORESEE – in Detroit, the heart of the U.S. automotive design industry – proves its expertise in the area of automotive design as well as in the optimization of the design development process by fully utilizing state-of-the-art technology.

Description:

FORESEE presents at the Michelin Challenge Design 2003 stand of the Detroit Motor Show 2003 the Allagès Concept vehicle. Its name is derived from the English “All Ages”, which perfectly describes the concept behind the car.

Allagès is a completely new interpretation of the automobile, combining considerations as to usage, ownership and environment with new production and distribution systems.

Allagès is suitable for the first time buyer, who will probably select the 1 or 2 seater configurations with an open top. Traditionally, a larger car replaces such a car when spatial requirements demand, e.g. When the family expands. But the Allagès has the advantage that it may remain with the owner for the whole of his/her lifetime because it can be adapted to changing requirements of space, purpose and fashion.

Thus, the open top 2-seater may be converted to a 3-door or 4-door sedan, a station wagon, a pick-up, a single seater transporter, an agricultural vehicle or even a beach buggy.

These diverse configurations would normally require storage of a large number of body parts by the dealer. But not so with the Allagès. The Allagès is conceived with as many symmetrical body parts as possible, from front to back, left to right or diagonally. As a result, the number of parts in storage can be reduced to a third of what would normally be necessary. This also minimizes investments for facelifts or body changes to the Allagès compared to conventional vehicles.

The concept of the Allagès facilitates a more efficient, environmentally friendly and customer-friendly production and distribution system. The main long lifetime chassis can be produced centrally in greater numbers and sold via a service point, which is also responsible for the vehicle’s maintenance.

The different body configurations can be produced either centrally as well or locally, facilitating the supply of very market-specific variations in style and color, providing the customers with a more individual choice of vehicle.

This also means that high production volumes for these locally produced parts are not a necessity, which in turn makes personalized or even fashion-oriented cars feasible. Such parts can be sold through special fashion centers, specializing in client-friendly service, rather than via garages, thus ensuring a higher level of service.

Since the body consists of a number of frames to which different panels are attached, this allows greater flexibility in the choice of exterior and interior panel materials. For instance, a door can be fitted with a hard gloss plastic panel, a soft cabriolet top type material, a meshed metal or even transparent material.

The unique QuadroRhomb engine, a multi fuel “Near Zero-Emissions” power source, powers the Allagès. QuadroRhomb (QR) is a principle of movement of 4 Rhomb-shaped chambers. This movement can be symmetrical, asymmetrical or a mixture of both. In the Allagès this engine will produce 60 bhp with Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) as its fuel source, and 90 bhp using conventional fuel. The QuadroRhomb has either a a Dynastart or ISAD System integrated into its housing to start the engine. The QuadroRhomb is extremely fuel efficient, completely in balance at all times which leads to a very quiet engine, and out performs traditional Internal Combustion Piston Engines used in today’s vehicles in Horse Power, Torque, and Efficiency. Fuel Cell and Electric Vehicles are able to provide Zero Emissions but unable to provide the performance or be cost effective for vehicle applications. Working prototypes of this engine can be seen in Frankfurt, Germany.

The Allagès is a future-oriented vehicle, which combines practicality with individuality for the long-sighted customer.