2007 Artega GT

The Artega® GT. Germany's alternative to the sports car establishment.

The new car brand Artega® is set to unveil a close-to-production prototype of its debut model. Artega®'s aim is the development and production of small-series sports cars that break the mould. Artega® was the brainchild of engineers in the development department at paragon, the globally successful electronics supplier based in Delbrück, in the German state of North Rhine Westphalia. The company's mission statement commits it to providing a convincing and sustained demonstration of both all-round automotive expertise and a passion for sporty cars.

Artega® and the Artega® GT represent a new beginning, with no brief to bring a historical brand back to life and no nostalgia agenda. The challenging, international setting of the Geneva Motor Show makes this a fitting venue for the first public unveiling of both brand and car.

The new Artega® GT combines the emotional appeal of a high-performance sports car with the defining attributes of a sports tourer. The development of the car hinged on four priorities:

• A distinctive design language. Renowned designer Henrik Fisker has created proportions with an unprecedented purity: broad, flat and compact. Given its restricted dimensions, an interior brimming with efficiency comes as something of a surprise. There is room inside the car not just for two adults, but also their luggage – and even a child seat can be integrated as an option.

• Agility, driving dynamics and safety. The key parameters in the development of the Artega® GT were lightweight construction and rigidity. A generously sized aluminium space frame teams up with a body made from carbon fibre-reinforced composite materials to ensure an impressive power-to-weight ratio. High-quality components sourced from the Volkswagen Group and a rear-engined arrangement make for top-class performance.The V6 powerplant with a direct-shift gearbox and a specially developed inverting stage was built into a compact module made from high-strength steel tubing. Active driving dynamics aids are an integral element of the GT, while exceptionally effective crash boxes protect the occupants in the event of an accident.

• Touring suitability. The development engineers attached great importance to creating an occupant-oriented package. A wide variety of stowage areas and two luggage compartments exceed the usual boundaries for a car with these dimensions. The key to this extraordinary spaciousness was the decision to mount the engine horizontally in the rear of the car.

• Controls. The expertise of the electronics specialists at paragon opened the door to a wide range of innovative control and driver information systems.With its groundbreaking new sensor switch panels and the unique dual-indicator speedometer/rev counter instrument, paragon's all-new interior ambience represents a significant standout feature of the new Artega® GT.

By the end of 2007 a state-of-the-art production facility will be constructed in Delbrück for the Artega® GT and other potential models.The new location will bring together component manufacturing, final assembly and a brand and sales centre, allowing the brand to meet the broadest possible range of customer specifications.

The new Artega® GT is no show car. It documents the nascent brand's intention to lay down a range of models which are designed for the long term and can secure it a place alongside the major manufacturers. The target group for these small-volume cars is a select band of enthusiasts who value ideas which step outside the norm and are therefore unlikely to be satisfied by large-series models.

Source - Artega

Artega at the 62nd International Motor Show (IAA)

New Artega car brand takes off
Only a half a year after its premie`re at the Geneva car exhibition in March 2007,the new Artega brand will be shown at the stand (Hall 8.0, Stand E09) atthe International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt as a fully roadworthy prototype of the Artega GT. In the meantime, the vehicle displayed in Frankfurt is already furnished with the latest upgraded standard equipment. Along with the other prototypes already built,itwill be used for ongoing road trials after the fair. Extensive crash tests are also planned.
A shorthand description of the Artega GT: two-seater sports car, completely new in-house development, extraordinarily inspiring form language, systematic lightweightdesign. Suitably contemporary traffic use area: barely four metres long, 1.88 metres wide and 1.18 metres deep, approx. 1,100 kg empty weight, low power/weightratio,0 to 100 km/h in less than five seconds, top speed of more than 270 km/h, deceleration values of a super sports car. Its design features focus on a maximum of agility, excellentdriving dynamics and safety. Itis equipped with peak- load drive technology and the innovative systems for operation and driver information from the electronic specialists paragon AG. In short:the emotions of high-performance interacting with the comforts of a sports tourer.
The time schedule is as ambitious as the entire project:the firstzero series should be leaving the production facility in the firstquarter of 2008.The final pilotseries manufactured according to highestindustrial standards is planned for the second quarter of 2008.As of mid-2008 customer- ordered cars will be delivered. Justlike the developmentprocess,the construction of the production plantis running exactly on schedule:the topping-outceremony will presumably be held in the Artegastraße 1 in Delbru¨ck,
Westphalia in the end September 2007. The building site of the 4.000 m2 production hall demonstrates the effort and expense invested into the realisation of this ambitious project. Aside from the manufacture of components and the final assembly line, the building complex now taking shape will include an integrated spacious exhibition hall as well as the brand and distribution centre which likewise open in mid-2008.
The Artega GT
The idea for developing the Artega GT can be considered the 'dream order' for a highly motivated team:to develop an extraordinary sports car with entirely unique special accents quasi as calling card of the internationally successful electronics supplier paragon AG.The Artega concept was to establish a totally new brand,and the team's commission was shortand to the point:driven by enthusiasm for sporty cars, demonstrate total competence for automotive development. A mission whose realisation called for whatturned out to be four major developmentfocus areas: Design:extraordinary form language The renowned designer Henrik Fisker succeeded in creating proportions of 3950 x 1880 x 1180 mm (L,W,H) for the firsttime in this constellation and consequence,namely:broad,flat,and compact. A powerful and elegantfrontcharacterised by flowing lines,a low unique windowed greenhouse
of a body in highly individual arched form and a classy curve as transition to the beefy rear end all lend the body its striking personal appearance. The uncramped interior surprises despite the vehicle's extremely compactdesign. Two adults notonly have plenty of room, but there's also space for much more than justthe mostnecessary luggage. Even a child's seatcan be integrated if desired.
Design features:agility,driving dynamics and safety
The major developmentparameters for the vehicle body were lightweightdesign and rigidity. A generously dimensioned aluminium spaceframe in connection with a body made of carbon-
fibre reinforced compound materials thus ensures a top power-to-weightratio. For reasons of efficientspace utilisation,ideal weightdistribution and the best possible traction,the high-grade drive components of the Volkswagen Group are installed as rear engine traverse to the direction of travel.The 3.6-litre V6 is the ideal drive for a vehicle of this class. Along with the highly praised and well-tried direct-shiftgearbox, the engine is mounted in a compactmodule made of high- strength steel tubes.The backs of the comfortable sports seats fold back to make loading easier. Especially effective crash modules as well as a steel side-collision protection as essential features
of the passive safety system protectthe passengers with frontand side airbags in the case of accident.To ensure a maximum of active safety, the Artega GT design integrates state-of-the-art driver assistance systems,such as ASP (Artega Stability Program) such as the electronic stability program ASP (Artega), ABS and the traction control TC. Just as in other super sports cars, four differentdrive programs can be selected at the Headunit:Normal (ASP with early intervention,TC on),Sport(ASP with later intervention,TC on),Race (ASP off,TC on) and Off (ASP off,TC off).
Fitness for travel:a 'sensible' amountof room despite sports car dimensions In designing the body and interior of the car, greatcare was taken to consider the needs and
comfortof the occupants.The generous amountof space compared to the extremely compact overall dimensions,numerous convenientinterior places to putthings and two separate luggage
compartments (one behind the seats and the other under the fronthood) are exceptional for a car this size. Such storage conditions were made possible by the engine's transverse installation in the rear. Although the Artega GT provides phenomenal handling performance and drive capabilities,the chassis fine-tuning ensures thatcomfortin no way comes too short. Even long trips will be savoured in happy memory by the driver and passenger – and even if the top cruising range provided by the optional 80-litre tank is fully used.



The company and its story
How an internationally successful automotive supplier comes to develop its fully own new sports car and in the end bring iton the marketwith a spin-off is a separate exciting tale.
The idea:to prove comprehensive competence
paragon AG in Delbru¨ck, Westphalia is a successful direct supplier for virtually all leading automotive manufacturers. The company develops and produces state-of-the-art electronics: instrumentation and control components, air conditioning systems and car media systems. Butparagon does notonly wantto be a supplier, butalso distinguish itself as a development partner in the automotive industry.To do so,paragon had to demonstrate comprehensive system competence.Klaus Dieter Frers (54),CEO of paragon,had the idea:do itwith an own car.
The motivation:'There are certain things in life one simply has to do'
True competence can only be proven with a series vehicle. Frers had a certain conceptin mind: a high-performance-sports car, rear engine, light, strong. Exciting forms, suitable for everyday use,in addition innovative instruments and control systems from paragon.He presented the idea to the car designer AlbrechtGraf Goertz. Goertz had not only drawn up the BMW 507 – his first design was named,of all things,'Paragon'.He advised Frers:'There are certain things in life one simply has to do.'
The competence:knowledge,specialists and enthusiasm
Klaus Dieter Frers is a true 'car guy'. His father was plant manager at NSÚ. Trained as a mechanical engineer specialising in motor vehicles, he is a successful entrepreneur and an ambitious racing driver. He knows paragon's competence range, and where this doesn't suffice, he systematically gets hold of external advice and help. Among other things, he concludes a contractwith the renowned designer Henrik Fisker atthe 2006 car exhibition in Geneva. And then he is able to engage the well-known automobile manager Karl-Heinz Kalbfell as consultant for setting up the brand and sales activities. For aerodynamics he uses the wind tunnel of StuttgartÚniversity.Engine and transmission come from the Volkswagen Group.SpecialistBosch provides the latestactive driving dynamics controls.A premium-quality,well-conceived whole is the result.


The claim:a new brand,industrial processes
The objective is to contribute to designing the future of the car.There was never any question of reanimating an old brand.Therefore a new brand has come to life.Artega. It documents the claim of doing something completely new withoutthe corsetof history. Artega,a spin-off of paragon, is not a make. Artega produces high-performance-sports car using industrial processes.The dedicated factory for this task is located in Delbru¨ck and initially construed for an annual production capacity of 500 units.The brand centre rounds off the production facility.
The result:the new German sports car
The Artega GT is notconsidered a competitor to existing sports cars.Itstands apartfrom exotic models on the one hand and the large series-production manufacturers on the other hand.The Artega GT is emotional,strong and novel.Despite its unusual proportions (wide – flat– compact) the car offers an astonishingly high utility value. Systematic lightweight construction brings outstanding road performance and high efficiency. And then the innovative interior from paragon – all of this makes the car peerless.The Artega GT is a sports car for all who believe in automotive innovation.



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paragon Headunitintegra with sensor switches

• The paragon Headunitintegra comprises a high-resolution colour display with VGA resolution, a torsion/pressure actuator as well as 21 sensor-controlled touch buttons. It is finished in an exquisitely elegantpiano lacquer in a hi-fi system look with deluxe illumination in an optimal ergonomic arrangement.The intensity of the illumination can be continuously adjusted.

Operable functions
Audio system (radio and external data sources), telephone operation (handsfree, telephone directory, etc.), air conditioning operation, seat heating, defrost, driver assistance program selection (Normal,Sport,Race,Off)
Interfaces to external data sources
ÚSB,AÚX,SD,iPod (space for iPod in centre console),Bluetooth for mobile telephone Moreover the paragon Headunitintegra provides a clearly visible display of red blinking LEDs to
indicate the activated anti-theftalarm/immobilizer system when the vehicle is locked.

paragon navigation system MirrorPilot
The paragon navigation system MirrorPilot with map display in the interior mirror optimises driver information and traffic safety atthe same time.With this innovative solution the driver can follow the navigation system withoutlosing eye contactto the road. The system also convinces with its integrated reading and ambient lighting. Optionally,one can
combine the paragon navigation system MirrorPilotwith the paragon reversing camera system: the camera image is included in the integrated display when the car is put into reverse gear.
paragon on-board clock and stopwatch
The paragon on-board clock combination consists of the paragon dashboard clock and the paragon stopwatch designed on the lines of classical role models. Both clocks have knurled, anodized decorative metal rings.The high-grade metal clock faces come from the luxury clock segment.
•paragon on-board clock: for a GPS-controlled, time-zone adjusted, analogue display of the time.No re-setting necessary.
•paragon stopwatch: For analogue stopwatch functions (Start– Stop – Interim time – Reset), controllable via the steering wheel buttons.
paragon AQS (Air Quality Sensor)
The Air Quality Sensor AQS from paragon detects unhealthy gases (e.g.diesel and petrol fumes) and actively prevents the intrusion of harmful chemicals into the car interior. The Air Quality Sensor works directly with the paragon automatic climate control.
paragon shift-by-wire technology
With the paragon position sensing system, the selected position of the gearshift is precisely captured and electronically transmitted to the transmission control contact-free.
paragon multifunction steering wheel With the paragon multifunction steering wheel,drivers can notonly control the audio system via touch buttons and the direct-shiftgearbox via lever switches.What's more,with this innovative solution one can also operate the analogue stopwatch functions (Start– Stop – Interim – Reset).

paragon belt-mic (beltmicrophone)
This world-wide unique innovation integrates microphone capsules into the structure of the seatbelt. Just like a TV newscaster, the microphone is rightwhere it belongs – near the mouth. Without any sacrifice to the full seatbeltfunctions,speaking quality can thus be ensured which far exceeds that of standard microphones.
paragon cell-phone specific loading function
This function allows one to recharge all usual business cell phones,if the respective cradle is built into the vehicle.
paragon reversing camera system
The camera is automatically activated as soon as the reverse gear is set.The display appears on the paragon navigation system MirrorPilot.
paragon gateway
This system connects the cockpitsystems from paragon,takes care of the diagnosis options and ensures the connection to the remaining on-board electrical system.

Source - Artega