Helios shines light on engineering possibilities

With the Helios, ASC took a large, current-generation hardtop sedan and completely revamped the vehicle using a full-systems approach. An all-new, production-ready, four-door convertible was created – a vehicle that goes beyond anything currently on the market, and an engineering solution that could be applied to virtually any hardtop car on the market today, coupe or sedan.

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The highly engineered prototype meets and exceeds expectations for structural rigidity, road performance and side-impact safety. The Helios represents a highly feasible prototype that could allow any automaker to create the first production four-door convertible in almost 40 years.

The last four-door convertible anywhere in the world, the Lincoln Continental Convertible, was discontinued in 1967.

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“The Helios is a whole new kind of halo car aimed at affluent Baby Boomers and others who seek the freedom, reward and excitement of open-air driving, but combined with four-door room and comfort, » chief marketing officer Jeff Steiner said.

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Topping off the Helios is ASC’s patent-pending xpanse™ convertible-roof system. The five-feet eight-inch top folds into an 18-inch area behind the rear seats. With the roof stowed, there is ample room for carrying four, full-size golf bags, along with four, full-size adults in the car itself.

The Helios offers a wide array of other creature comforts and convenience items, including two leading-edge Sony systems – a Sony-branded portable multimedia entertainment system and the Sony XYZ™ three-dimensional navigation system.

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On an instrument-panel display, the XYZ delivers three-dimensional, real-life images of what the driver actually sees in heading toward a desired destination on a high-resolution, seven-inch touch screen.

The entire XYZ hard drive/display unit is removable and capable of home docking and storing thousands of songs, snapshots and motion-video images, which can be played back in the vehicle at the touch of the screen.

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The multimedia system includes two rear-seat DVD video monitors and 13 speakers capable of transmitting more than 400 watts of digitally amplified sound at peak levels, even with the top down at highway speeds.

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There’s also a rear-vision backup-assist camera that is available for display on the XYZ monitor whenever the vehicle is placed in reverse.

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Other features on the ASC Helios include a Rain Forrest Green fabric roof, bright nickel-plated accents that wrap the car’s beltline, a unique nickel-plated fascia grille, custom 20-inch nickel-plated wheels, and unique exterior and interior badging.