Geneva Show 2009 Highlights: IDEA ERA Roadster Concept



The I.DE.A Institute's ERA concept was penned last May for the Italian engineering and design firm's 30th anniversay. I.DE.A, which has worked with Ducati and Fiat, calls the ERA a representation of a roadster built "for pure driving pleasure through the instinctive pencil strokes of the designer on a blank page." Sure. All we can say is the styling looks like fun. The mechanical bits, however, are not fully-disclosed. Concrete details include underpinnings from an existing monocoque chassis, independent suspension all around, and 19-in. wheels wrapped with 245/40 tires. The ERA's listed dimensions place it inches longer and wider than a Honda S2000, but much shorter in height.idea-era-side
As to what's under the hood, we have no idea. The website lists four- or six-cylinder engines, a possible 300 hp, and both front- and rear-drive layouts. Transmissions will be either manual or sequential, with five or six gears. The expected weight is up in the air, too; I.DE.A offers a range from 3,300-lbs to 4,400-lbs.