The result of the research done on innovation of the form, technology, materials, and propulsions, Carcerano presented  a new concept of city car, called "Sonny", which was shown in prototype form for the first time during the recent the Bologna Motor Show.

“Sonny“, which means, among a variety of definitions, “friend“, "brother” in American English, here takes on the meaning of “ road companion “, as it is an Urban Car able to communicate perfectly with the urban context in which it travels. All thanks to Communications Technology (an Intelligent Controls System, ICS, comprised of sensors, electronics and advanced software, allowing the car to move in complete security within the urban network), and thanks to the architectural design of the vehicle itself, with its reduced dimensions and wide glass surfaces that communicate openly with the city as it almost becomes an integral and active part of it. The electronic control of the on-board control features increases the driver’s and the passengers’ security as well as that of the pedestrians, thus contributing to the reduction of car accidents and levels of stress produced by traffic.

Sonny was conceptualised as a research project in order to help us understand just how much this type of solution to traffic could be integrated within the city, specifically in the case of Turin’s old town centre, and permitting the investigation of its possible impact on the urban context, as well as research on new tools and materials to fight against environmental and acoustic pollution. With this regard in mind, the Carcerano Research Centre also participates in the “Pre-competitive Development Project“ and the Industrial Research Project “ on a national level concerning “Integrated Methodologies of Design for the Innovation of Style and Technology of Motor Vehicles within a Virtual Environment“. This study places particular attention on expired vehicles that present little possibilities for recycling, re-use and energy recovery. A true challenge which intends the necessity to intervene at the moment of the vehicle’s retirement, but also at a much earlier time, that is, during design and production.

Sony Carcerano thus becomes the object of study and laboratory research in constant evolution. It is the expression of experimentation of style, of technological innovation and most of all, it is the expression of our effort to protect the environment.
 

The main guidelines for this project have been: to create a vehicle able to transform itself depending on the user’s wishes; to lower maintenance and consumption costs; and to obtain, as a result, a vehicle with low negative impact on the environment.

CARCERANO SONNY- CHARACTERISTICS

Interiors: disposes of four actual seats and offers a habitability which clearly represents one of its strong points, considering its external dimensions. Compact and inhabitable, it responds to the essential requisites of small city cars. Equipped with ample on-board inhabitable space, seats that gave way to spaciousness and accessible and practical accommodating spaces. Its great vertical posterior struts create a back zone that is incredibly private and cosy.

Exteriors: Its style combines fluid lines and generous spaces. The front end is rounded as the convex form attracts the eye of the beholder. The rear door (hatchback) has been conceived to give the maximum flexibility of use to the trunk compartment. The illumination features define and recall the perception of the form with their simple geometric lines.

Comfort: the general perception of the Sonny concept is that of a most ample interior structure. The wide glass surfaces only serve to increase this sensation of spaciousness. The dashboard, with its easy to understand controls, immediately puts one at ease. The dynamics  of the car, mode of driving and comfort aspects, are exalted by the automatic gear-change.

Agility of use: with its contained dimensions, its exceptional vaulted diameter, and its automatic gear-change, Sonny offers a strong sense of agility. The Carcerano Concept Car also foresees hybrid motors and cars composed of the most modern technology.

Safety: Foresees the use of active and passive safety systems. The active safety includes ESP and ABS with Brakes Assistance, and an intelligent controls system, ICS, constituted of sensors, electronics and highly advanced software permitting Sonny to move about with extreme safety within the urban network. The passive safety features comprise elements that protect the driver and the passengers, such as a safety shell, driver and passenger airbags, and safety integrated seats.

Ecology: The idea to build an automobile that respect the environment is at the very foundation of the Carcerano Sonny project: the synthetic panels are recyclable and the light-weight material used helps limit the weight of the vehicle thus contributing to a reduction in energy consumption and costs.