Italdesign-Giugiaro->ke3778 sent out a number of teaser images ahead of Geneva to get the ball rolling on their new hybrid sports car concept, but the day finally came for the new Brivido to take its place in the spotlight. The Brivido was built to celebrate the company's 42nd appearance in Geneva and to show that impressive performance can be obtained without compromising fuel economy.

With that path in mine, Italdesign-Giugiaro created a functional, hybrid, four-seat prototype on mechanics from the Volkswagen->ke94 Group. It is painted in a very cool Xirallic pearl luster red and combines elements like aluminum, carbon fiber, and glass. The car's interior was developed in cooperation with the Volkswagen Group Electronics Research Lab (ERL) in California and includes a unique docking system in the dashboard that allows an iPad to be completely hidden away or, with a gesture of the hand, partially exposed to work in a "Minimal" interaction mode.

The concept is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 engine that delivers a total of 360 HP and is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Nothing about that says hybrid to us, but that's because the company has opted to leave the public out of the loop in terms of the hybrid portion of the engine. Performance figures, however, were provided, which is a nice change of pace. The Brivido can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds and can hit a top speed of 171 mph.

UPDATE 03/06/2012: This review has been updated with the official details and images of the Italdesign Giugiaro Brivido.

UPDATE 06/11/12: The Italdesign-Giugiaro Brivido was in attendance at the recent 2012 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. As always, Marchettino was in attendance and he caught the super car in all its glory. Check out the video after the jump!

Hit the jump for more details on the Italdesign Giugiaro Brivido.

2012 Italdesign-Giugiaro Brivido

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 Italdesign-Giugiaro Brivido
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 360
  • Torque: 339
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The Italdesign Giugiaro Brivido's exterior is a combination of aluminum, carbon fiber, and glass and comes painted in a very cool Xirallic pearl luster red. The windscreen, roof, rear window, and large door windows form a glass dome, while the side view is dominated by the specially designed single door which uses glass as a genuine structural element. When opened, this door allows all occupants to enter the car at the same time in which case they will then be surrounded by an exclusive level of finish and high-technology.

The front of the Brivido features a V-shape engine bonnet that is made of satin aluminum to contrast with the red paint finish. That flows into a single carbon fiber panel that occupies the width of the vehicle and allows ample air flow to cool the engine, as well as act as rear spoiler. Also front and center are the Brivido's daytime driving lights, foglights, and headlights which feature LED technology. The headlights extend 2600 mm from the front bonnet and each cluster hugs the sinuous lines of the body and finishes midway along the side panel, at the height of the side door.

The side of the Brivido houses two cameras that serve as a replacement for the side mirrors. These cameras are part of an innovative system and literally emerge from the body when needed. The images from these cameras appear on two monitors inside of the Brivido for quick use by the driver. The back of the vehicle is also donned in carbon fiber and features two diagonal friezes that diverge from the center and continue along the body, housing the rear light clusters, the brake lights, the indicators, and the rear fog lights. These lights show off the car's large side exhaust frame inspired by race cars.

DIMENSIONS

-Length (mm): 4,980

-Height (mm): 1,298

-Width (mm): 1,960

-Wheelbase (mm): 2,910

-Front track (mm): 1,692

-Rear track (mm): 1,680

-Tires

-Front: 255/40 R21

-Rear: 295/35 R21

-Luggage compartment (l): 355/1326

Interior

The Brivido's interior was designed in cooperation with Volkswagen Group Electronics Research Lab (ERL) in California and is defined by technology, roominess, an ergonomic design, comfort, and luxury. The seats are crafted using a sewing method never before used inthe automotive sector: raw cut seams. With this method, the hides are bonded and raw cut to enhance the thickness of it, creating two contrasting colors: light on the "upside" and dark on the "backside." These contrasting colors create a graphic line that outlines and emphasizes the shapes of the seats. The front seats are asymmetrical with a cushion overhanging the door sill on the outer sides, while the sides of the rear seats house an LED system that makes entry easier in low visibility by optically following the design of the seats.

The tunnel accommodates the fourteen buttons that activate all the main controls (door opening, parking brake, stability control system, lights) and the 8-speed automatic transmission, as well as contains the classic storage compartments and cup holders.

The dashboard is structured symmetrically for both driver and passenger and displays its information on two LCD monitors housed inside two binnacles, one located behind the steering wheel and the other above the iPad dock. This system allows the passenger to access the same information as the driver, such as the car's journey, speed, rpm, or manage the options for on-­board entertainment. The screen at the center of the vehicle controls things such as the climate of the vehicle and can be operated via buttons that automatically emerge from the dash alongside the monitor and retreat when not in use. The driver can also choose how much information is viewed on this touchscreen by opting for either “Basic” or “Extended” features.

The driver also has full control with the use of two touch sensitive panels located on the spokes of the steering wheel. The left hand panel operates the infotainment system, the lights, and the graphic interface on the dashboard, while the right panel controls the climate settings. The driver can also choose his driving mode ("Comfort" or "Sport") with the touch a button.

The passenger can take advantage of the unique docking system in the dashboard that allows an iPad to be completely hidden away or, with a gesture of the hand, partially exposed to work in a "Minimal" interaction mode. With this, the passenger can control media and navigation, as well as access online content from his or her lap.

The front passenger won't be the only one having any kind of fun either. The rear seat passengers have access to a pair of 3D glasses that connect to the infotainment system. This allows for an entertaining ride as they watch movie, access travel information, and watch the road with the images from the car’s exterior cameras.

Hybrid Powertrain

Italidesign Giugiaro chose not to reveal any details on the electric part of the vehicle's set-up, but they did let everyone know that it uses a 3.0-liter V6 engine. This engine delivers a total of 360 HP and 339 lb-ft of torque and is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Brivido can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds and can hit a top speed of 171 mph. The hybrid system, that will most likely combine the V6 with a pair of electric engines, will deliver a total of 408 HP and 442 lb-ft of torque. CO2 emissions comes in at 154g/km.