Tags: Heico Sportiv Heico HS4 Odin Volvo S40 Volvo S40 autoshow Essen Motor Show 2005 concept cars
"Your car is more" is the motto of the 38th Essen Motor Show.
HEICO SPORTIV from Weiterstadt, Germany, will be celebrating the tenth anniversary of its formation at this year's international trade fair for tuning, racing and classics and, for the first time, will also be presenting its own specially designed ConceptCar. Besides the HEICO HS4 ODIN, the Volvo specialist will also be unveiling the XC90 in new dress and a fully refurbished Volvo V70.
"ODIN, THE MOST EXALTED GOD OF THE VIKINGS, STANDS FOR
MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL STIMULATION, ENERGY, EXCITEMENT AND ENTHUSIASM."
For 10 years, the HEICO SPORTIV badge has borne the Viking helmet, symbolizing the company's ties with Sweden, the carmaker's country of origin. What could be more fitting than this emblem for HEICO's first-ever concept car, the HEICO HS4 ODIN. Its engineers, who modelled the vehicle on the S40 T5 and have developed one of the sportiest Volvos ever built. We had just one goal in mind during ODIN's design: driving dynamism!
What better words than "driving dynamism" could be used to describe the 260 kW / 354 bhp and 500 Nm torque? The heart of the vehicle consists of a modified 5-cylinder in-line engine borrowed from the sporty S60/V70R series. But in the lighter HS4 ODIN, with a curb weight of around 1.250 kg, this manifests itself in an awe-inspiring performance of 275 kph top speed and 0-100 kph in under 5.5 seconds. This is only possible thanks to extensive measures such as an enlarged, adapted turbo charger, modified HEICO SPORTIV power upgrade and a 3" stainless steel exhaust system including a sports catalytic converter and down pipe, carbon fiber air box and a high capacity intercooler. For slip-free transmission of this phenomenal power to the front wheels, the HEICO SPORTIV technicians installed a limited-slip differential with variable locking action.
A high performance brake system with four-piston fixed calipers, in characteristic HEICO blue, provides for top deceleration and stability. Ventilated 320 mm "Power Disks" brake disks, and special brake pads complement the high performance brake kit, ensuring an invigorating taming of the engine power by the braking system. The outcome: substantially shorter braking distances and much better driving safety.
The entire chassis had to be redesigned to accommodate these high performance values. The McPherson front axle and multi-link rear suspension have been fitted with more aggressive bushings and augmented with level control sports suspension and stronger sway bars.
The specially designed sports suspension of the HS4 ODIN is persuasive with its precise steering characteristics, unbeatable handling agility and neutral feeling. These "new dynamics" are supported by a broader track and a specially developed welded safety cage which improves the rigidity of the chassis by around 60 percent.
A roughly 50 mm wider body and redesigned front and rear skirts (including carbon diffuser) improve the vehicle's aerodynamic qualities and flow of cool air to the engine and brakes, while the matt-blue HS4 ODIN emanates power. The carbon fiber rear deck lid serves as a spoiler (offering downforce, but very little drag). Brawny 8.5x20 (ET 49) VOLUTION V. wheels add the perfect finish to the body lines and 245/35R20 Continental SportContact2 tires have been mounted to provide for perfect road grip and traction.
A novel technical innovation is also making its market debut in the form of new cornering lights. When traveling with dipped beam at speeds of up to 40 kph, the supplementary headlamps integrated into the front spoiler are automatically activated without delay by a gyroscopic sensor or when the indicators are used. The right-hand or left-hand headlamp is switched on accordingly. An additional benefit of the supplementary headlamps is that they have also been approved as fog lights.
To avoid being outdone by the exterior accessories, the interior is also brimming with innovative ideas and high technology. In addition to the aforementioned safety cage, the inside dazzles with an elegant, alluring combination of metal (aluminum foot pedals, foot
rest, door pin set and stainless steel for the illuminated entrance trim) and two-color leather interior. The hides envelop the molded sports seats, door paneling, the racing styled sports steering wheel and the redesigned center console. Cameras installed in the front and rear skirts facilitate parking the HS4 ODIN. A 5.8" color monitor integrated into the central console shows the area in front of the vehicle and another image is projected in the 4" LCD display of the interior mirror when reverse parking. The HS4 ODIN is brought to life by an internally lit starter button integrated into the gear shift lever.
The HEICO HS4 ODIN is a prototype which will be ready for the road and be produced in a small, limited series, given adequate demand. Its market launch is scheduled for late 2006.
