BMW did for the U.S. bobsled team for the Olympics
U.S. have won gold in the last time in 1936 and now rely heavily on the Bavarians. BMW showed the prototype for bobsled, developed at the request of the American Federation of Bobsleigh and Skeleton. In sports two-seater carriage works from 2011 and is the work of designer brand division in the U.S. (BMW Group DesignworksUSA), showed that in the summer and conceptual mouse for computers. Bobsleigh housing is made of lightweight materials, especially carbon fiber. Naturally aerodynamic shape and center of gravity is lowered to improve speed performance. During the next few months, BMW will continue to improve the prototype and the final goal is "sled" for the U.S. bobsled mixed team that will represent the country at the Olympics Sochi 2014 in the U.S. Apparently, many rely on BMW, because the last time they won "gold" in this discipline back in 1936
Dartz Black Snake discovered in China
The truck is based on the Mercedes S-class and cost € 743,165 Dartz announced that it will offer a new Black Snake in China. Created in honor of the "Year of the Snake" model is based on Mercedes GL63 AMG and is the first vehicle of the company, which is not bulletproof. truck has a typical rough exterior with an aluminum casing that attracts attention with gold accents and diamond encrusted. The interior is inspired by the Mercedes S-class and offers wood trim, leather insole shark audio system Bang & Olufsen.Buyers can choose other exotic skins such as snake, crocodile, ostrich and a whale penis. Dartz Black Snake is powered by 5.5-liter V8 twin-turbocharged engine that generates 557 hp and 760 Nm. It is associated with a 7-speed automatic transmission system for all-wheel drive. This allows the truck to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in 4.9 seconds. price of the vehicle is € 743,165, each owner will receive 56 grams of caviar Mottra month for two yea.
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Electric bicycle for city
SSIKE weighs only 12 kg, folds out is cheap and covers up to 40 km
Folding electric bicycle SSIKE trying to refute the idea that the wheels of this type are expensive. On the contrary.This one is easy to maintain and manage, affordable to everyone. You will only need to gain some practice. Works with your own balance and say that the feeling was like that ski. You will only need to master the skill to guide the direction of the rear wheel as it is leading. WITH 250-watt electric motor to the prototype achieves max. speed 20 km / h and economical cost of only 6 vtch / km allows the bike to achieve autonomy of 40 km. The total mass of the bike is only 12 kg. You can easily carry it on the subway, bus or train. Designer miracle Asen Innovacio, and more information can be found at.
http://www.ssike.com/ .
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Paraton-e - Is it a motorcycle or a car?
Futuristic concept can be both as needed. Paraton-e futuristic concept is made of a new material technology. The purpose of fantastic vehicle to fill the gap between cars and motorcycles. A great prototype can perform both roles through the narrow front and gathering in a separation or the front wheels. reinforced memory polymers allow flexible design of the car and its rapid transformation, even on the move. Passengers can choose the overall configuration and to overcome traffic like a motorcycle or have inclined seating position and assisted drive and wider grip the road for more stable moving at high speeds.
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Bristol launches hybrid supercar this year
It will debut at the "Festival of Speed" at Goodwood in July. Bristol will reveal this year's all-new hybrid supercar will debut the "Festival of Speed" at Goodwood in July. Bristol Motors was acquired in 2011 by Kamporp Autokar, a subsidiary of Frazer-Nash. Then the company promised to produce hirbidni and electric supercars. Bristol revealed that the supercar will be powered by an electric all-wheel drive, while the internal combustion engine will power the generator to charge the lithium-ion battery. Namir Hybrid Concept pictures is in 2009, driven by a 814 cc rotary engine and four elektormotora, the total power output is 370 hp, enough to accelerate the car from 0 to 100 km / h in 3.5 seconds before reaching a maximum speed of 300 km / h.
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Fees of the future
So the cars will look in Budapest in 2046
Taxi BP is a project of the University of Art and Design in Budapest and was developed under the theme "Mobility of the Future." The shape of the body is consistent with the traffic in the Hungarian capital. The aim of the designer was to provide a car for cities in 2046 On the one hand, the cab like the old cars. The interior, however, includes hi-tech navigation autopilot technology, environmental systems and others. On board there is room for four. When the weather is nice, passengers can open the roof of Taxi BP, and the side windows are designed for impressive visibility.
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Land-Walker exoskeleton
However, standing over 3 metres in height, and weighing in at 1000kg (2,205 lbs) the Land Walker's shuffling gait is an impressive sight to behold. Although it would probably run into problems with anything but a completely smooth surface.
The single seat Land Walker is powered by a 250 cc engine and movement is controlled by four foot pedals. P.A. Technology supplied the computer software which helps to control the Land Walkers movement.
If you want to get your hands on your own moon-walking exoskeleton, price is in the region of $350,000 (£185,000).
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Balanced-Over-Batteries (B.O.B) Car
The Balanced-Over-Batteries, or B.O.B car is an ingenious contraption developed by Robert Lange, a retired auto mechanic from California.
The B.O.B car was designed following the example of skateboard trucks which use the tilting movement of the board to adjust the angle of the wheels, therefore providing the ability to steer. The vehicle gets its name from the fact the batteries are slung underneath the single passenger cockpit. During cornering the batteries act as a counterbalance to the leaning of the vehicle's passenger compartment - up to 45 degrees in tight turns! This clever balancing act means that no power steering is needed and the steering wheel can be turned easily from side-to-side with the palm of the hand.
Where possible recycled parts were used in the construction of the B.O.B car. The front and rear differentials were lifted from 1975-76 Pintos, the brakes are courtesy of a Yamaha motorcycle, and the steering mechanism is adapted from a helicopter tail-rotor gearbox. Each pinto rear-end has 2 computer sync motors with chain drive. The vehicle has two speeds which can be switched between by changing the voltage from 36 - 72 volts.
Development of the Balanced-Over-Batteries bar took around three years, despite the complicated and unique nature of the vehicle. Thanks to the use of recycled or reclaimed parts the total cost came in at around $500. Amazing.
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McLaren P1 – Full Specifications
Like all McLaren’s, both past and present, the P1 is a technological masterpiece. It really is a triumph of mathematics and logic over emotion and superfluous style. It’s performance is nothing less than astounding. 0-62 mph (100km/h) takes less than three seconds, 0-124 mph (200 km/h) takes less than seven seconds, and the needle will nudge 186 mph (300 km/h) in just 17 seconds – 5 seconds quicker than the legendary F1. The top speed of the McLaren P1 has been electronically limited to 217 mph (350 km/h).
In order to achieve such spectacular performance, McLaren’s engineers had to be nothing less than obsessive compulsive when it came to things like weight management, aerodynamics and electronic wizardry. Interestingly, in terms of appearance the McLaren P1 has changed little since the first prototype was unveiled. In fact the only notable modification is the addition of a couple of air ducts ahead of the front wheels.
Power for the McLaren P1 comes from a hybrid drivetrain consisting of a mid-mounted 3.8 litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine backed up by a powerful electric motor. This setup offers a combined output of 903 horsepower and 664 lb-ft (900Nm). Emissions of less than 200g/km on the combined cycle are reduced to zero in full electric drive mode. The P1 can drive at speeds of up to 30 mph in electric mode over a range of 12.4 miles (20 km).
The powerful carbon ceramic brakes have been developed by McLaren’s Formula 1 partner Akebono, and it features a new type of disc which has never been used on a road car before. Stronger than conventional carbon ceramic, the new material dissipates heat more effectively, giving the highly efficient braking system exceptional stopping and cooling capability. The system also boasts significantly reduced weight, and a bespoke ceramic layer coats both friction surfaces to give an attractive mirrored finish.
The tires fitted to the McLaren P1 are specially developed Pirelli P Zero Corsas. The final compound and construction has been developed and optimised during testing, and the end result is a tire that is finely tuned specifically to the performance and handling characteristics of the car.
To ensure the McLaren P1 will be a rarity on the world’s roads, just 375 cars will be constructed. Each will carry a $1,150,000 (£866,000) price tag, and the only additional options offered will be a set of fitted luggage, or bespoke items added through McLaren Special Operations.
Source: McLaren
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McDonnell XF-85 Goblin
The XF-85 Goblin was designed to fulfill a USAAF request for an extremely compact single-seat fighter which could be carried aboard the Convair B-36 long-range bomber. The idea was that the B-36 could deploy the Goblin when enemy aircraft approached, meaning it would always have a fighter escort, no matter how long the mission was.
The XF-85 Goblin was very small, tiny in fact. It measured just 14 feet 10 inches (4.5 m) in length, and the wingspan was only slightly larger at 21 ft (6.4 m). Although when the wings were folded for storage within the B-36's fuselage the Goblin was only 5 feet wide (1.5 meters)!
Powering the McDonnell XF-85 Goblin was a Westinghouse J34-WE-7 turbojet which provided 3,000 lbs of thrust. There was no landing gear as the Goblin was expected to return to the mothership and be retracted back into the fuselage for a joint landing. The designers did however equip the Goblin with emergency skids so if needed it could be landed independently.
Despite its odd layout and minuscule dimensions, the program's only pilot, Ed Schoch reported that the XF-85 Goblin was stable, easy to fly, and spin recovery was relatively easy.
The main area of issue was during attempts to dock with the B-29 mothership - no B-36 was available for prototype testing so the older B-29 was used instead. The small size of the Gobin meant that it suffered terribly from turbulence when approaching the larger aircraft. On the aircraft's first flight, when Schoch was attempting to re-connect with the B29, sudden turbulence caused him to crash into the docking mechanism, shattering his canopy, ripping away his oxygen mask, and forcing him to land the XF-85 Goblin using the emergency skids on the desert below. Unfortunatley the damage was severe enough the first prototype never flew again.
McDonnell considered adding a telescoping extension to the docking trapeze so the docking would be done at a slightly greater distance, but the XF-85 program was canceled in mid-1949 before it could be tested.
The McDonnell XF-85 Goblin's cancellation was due to a variety of reasons. Firstly it proved to be much more difficult to dock than had been initially expected. Secondly, the increasing range of jet fighters and the introduction of in-flight refueling meant parasitic fighters were becoming an obsolete idea. Thirdly, tighter defense budgets meant unusual ideas - like the Goblin - were the first to be cut. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the XF-85 Goblin was no match for the next-generation of jet fighters it would be up against.
Happily both prototype XF-85 Goblin's still exist. One is on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio. The other is housed at the Strategic Air and Space Museum in Ashland, Nebraska.
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Toyota i-Foot
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Jeep Hurricane - Dream Cars
Powered by two 5.7-liter HEMI engines, one in the front and one in the back, making a total of 670 horsepower, driving all 4 wheels the power is certainly there. And with fully controllable 4 wheel steering so is the maneuverability.
So the Jeep's claims are probably true!
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W Motors Hyper-sport
W Motors have wisely chosen not to go it alone in their supercar endeavours. To assist them they’ve enlisted the help of three highly experienced automotive companies. STUDIOTORINO will help with the car’s design, RUF Automobile Germany will help with the car’s development, and Magna Steyr Torino will help with the car’s construction. Representatives of all three companies made an appearance at the W Motors launch event.
Debbas said of his new venture: “We will be launching 2 different lines of vehicles, the Hyper-sport and the Super-sport. Our first model, the Hyper-sport, will be limited to 5 cars worldwide and will be labeled as the most exclusive high performance car ever made. With signature diamond encrusted LED lights, it is also the most luxurious sports car in the world. In addition, the Hyper-sport W will be the first and only car to ever integrate a fully functional holographic display with interactive motion, gaining years of innovation ahead of competition. This car is simply unique in every single way; every element has been meticulously engineered to give the right balance between power, torque and speed, delivering the ultimate driving machine for a unique driving experience”.
The W Motors Hyper-sport will make its first appearance in Dubai December 2012. This will be followed by the public launch at the Qatar Motor Show in January 2013.
Source: W Motors
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Yamaha OX99-11
While the Yamaha OX99-11 was originally slated to appear in 1994, the roots of the OX99-11 project began in 1989 when Yamaha began competing in Formula One, later this spawned the desire to create a supercar based on Formula One technology.
Despite the fact the Formula One team was less than competitive, a new engine called the OX99 appeared in 1991, helping to give the new car a name.
Yamaha initially approached a German company to come up with some designs for the supercar. However Yamaha dismissed the proposals as they were considered to similar to existing supercars. IAD were at this point hired to continue work on the project. In 1992 IAD came with an initial version of the OX99-11.
The new car featured an unusual and somewhat ugly design, features like the prominent front spoiler, tandem seating, cockpit shaped roof and protruding engine scoop stood out from other vehicles. Other features of the car which were rather extreme included the carbon fiber chassis and OX99 engine which were borrowed from the F1 car.
Budget disagreements meant the Yamaha OX99-11 project was taken from IAD and handed over to Ypsilon Technology, who were given 6 months to finish the project. A further blow to the project was came in the form of a financial crisis which hit Japan and it was decided that there wouldn't be enough buyers capable of handing over the vast sums of money needed to buy the car. In 1994 the Yamaha OX99-11 project was axed. By this point only 3 prototypes had been constructed.
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Aston Martin Rapide Bertone Jet 2+2
Bertone has some history when it comes to shooting brake Aston Martins. In fact they’ve been at it since the ’60s and the DB4 GT Bertone Jet. However the Aston Martin Rapide Bertone Jet 2+2 is more akin to a 2004 Bertone creation, the Aston Martin Jet 2 concept – which was based on a V12 Vanquish.
The Aston Martin Rapide Bertone Jet 2+2 is mechanically identical to the outgoing Rapide, and that means under the hood is a 470 horsepower 5.9 litre V12. Interestingly it’s not based on the new 550 horsepower Aston Martin Rapide S. But I doubt with all the new sheetmetal and fancy interior trim anybody will notice the missing 80 HP.
On the inside the Aston Martin Rapide Bertone Jet 2+2 still features four individual seats, but now it has added practicality due to the fact the rear pair can be folded down and hidden away by an electronically controlled sliding cover to create a spacious cargo area.
Source: Bertone
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Bombardier Embrio
The Bombadier Embrio was designed as an insight into the future of transport circa 2025. Bombadier drew on its experience with recreational vehicles when it came to design of the Embrio and it is intended for people who enjoy transport, this is evident in the styling and the necessity to lean into turns similar in a similar manner to a motorcyle rider.
The Bombadier Embrio is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell emitting only water as a by product driving an electric motor powering the main wheel.
Control of the Embrio is facilitated by a trigger control on the left handlebar for acceleration, and a trigger on the right for braking.
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AquaStar1 AS1
The AquaStar1 AS1 is the smaller of the two subs, and it's strictly for only one person.
The AS1 offers scuba diving-like capabilities, but without certification, no cumbersome attached gear, and no experience required.
The AquaStar1 can reach speeds of up to 4.4 mph (7 km/h), and can dive to around 12 meters (40 ft). The batteries last for up to 2.5 hours, although you'll need to surface and change air tanks after 45 minutes.
The easy to use handlebars offer control over direction, depth, and speed.
Because the AquaStar AS1 is an open submersible, the pilot can leave the sub, swim around freely to investigate things more closely, and then return to the vehicle for more air.
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Video: Epic RC Car Chase!
Take a couple of RC Ford Mustangs, throw in a few helicopters, tanks and dumper trucks and you’ve got the beginnings of a car chase any Hollywood studio would be proud of. Only trouble is you need a setting for your chase. Well that’s where a couple dozen cardboard boxes, a hot glue gun and some spray paint comes in handy, as you can knock up a suitably scaled-down town in a long weekend!
ASIMO, Honda's humanoid robot
Honda's research into humanoid robots began in 1986, key elements to the development of this robot was the research done regarding intelligence and maneuverability. The first ASIMO robot prototype was unveiled in 2000 and since then many upgrades and improvements have been made. Just some of ASIMO's tricks include; greeting approaching people, following them whilst avoiding objects, moving where indicated (by pointing and looking), going up and down stairs, turning lights on and off, closing doors, recognizing faces and addressing people by name. ASIMO can also recognize his own name when called, and he looks to see when a sudden sound is made.
ASIMO is a great ambassador for Human-Robot relations, helping to further the way for more like him, and travelling the world to show what is really possible. Honda see a time where ASIMO's offspring help the disabled or infirm, tackle dangerous situations like fire-fighting or cleaning up toxic waste, and perform mundane tasks nobody else wants to do. Honda's research into robotics over the last 20 years has yeilded amazing results, and it shows no sign of slowing.
Honda ASIMO official site
Volvo Gravity Car
Volvo's gravity car has no propulsion mechanism whatsoever except for the pull of gravity, and the car is constructed from lightweight materials such as aluminium, carbon-fibre and fibreglass giving it an anorexic weight of 15 kgs. Every inch of the racer has been optimised for aerodynamic performance, and to decrease rolling resistance the two main wheels are in-line - at the extreme front and back of the vehicle.
The rider lies face down inside cramped bodywork with their head just behind the front wheel, steering is controlled by handlebars attached directly to the front axle, and braking is done by a trigger on the left handlebar.
Volvo's gravity car can reach 35 mph within 100m, and tops out at around 40 mph.
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Flynano
The Flynano has been in development for 10 years, and it recently made its world debut at the Aero 2011 show in Friedrichshafen, Germany.
The biggest obstacle facing Aki while designing the Flynano was weight. In order to fall within the microlight category of aircraft, the Flynano had to weigh in at under 70 kilos (154 lbs) - that's including the engine!
Normally when you think of microlights, images of flimsy fabric wings and a mess of aluminium tubes springs to mind. But with the Flynano you get a compact but sturdy looking aircraft constructed almost entirely from carbon fiber. This lightweight material is the secret to the Flynano's success.
The Flynano's Wingspan is nearly 5 meters (16 ft), nose to tail it measures 3.5 m (11.4 ft), and it's 1.3 m (4.2 ft) high. Maximum take off weight is 200 Kg (440 lbs) so if you're over 130 kgs (286 lbs) you're out of luck - and should probably consider going on a diet. The cruising speed range of the Flynano is 43 - 87 mph (70 – 140 km/h) with a service ceiling of 1.85 miles (3 km).
Perhaps the only drawback to the Flynano's design is the fact it can only takeoff and land on water. Hopefully at some point a suitably lightweight wheeled undercarriage option will be made available.
When deliveries of the Flynano start later in 2011 three variants will be available including the E 200 electric model, the two-stroke engine powered G 240 series, and the higher performance R 260/300 series.
Prices for the Flynano start at €25,000 ($36,000) and rise to €27,000 ($39,000).
Source: Flynano via Gizmag
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EGO semi-submersible boat
Powering the EGO are a pair of thrust vectoring electric propellors, one mounted on each pontoon. They’re capable of propelling the EGO at up to 5.7 mph (9.2 km/h). At cruising speed the batteries last for around eight hours, and at full speed you’ll run out of juice after four hours. A full recharge takes between six and nine hours.
Raonhaje have tried to make the EGO semi-submersible boat as easy to operate as possible. It can’t dive so that takes care of that tricky control problem. The throttle control is via a foot pedal, with forward and reverse being selected with a simple switch, a steering wheel provides directional control. A camera mounted on the upper deck provides a video relay to a small LCD screen on the instrument panel so the people below can see what’s happening on the surface. A digital depth sounder with audio warning tells the driver when the water is getting dangerously shallow for the craft to operate in.
In case you’re worried that a slight knock on the window will result in an unexpected and rather violent salty bath, the EGO’s windows are made from 20mm thick (0.8 inch) thick acrylic which is 200 times stronger than glass of equivalent thickness. It’s the same stuff used to make those massive aquariums you see in marine parks and zoos.
The EGO semi-submersible boat is aimed primarily at luxury seaside resorts. They’re currently developing a four-seater version which should broaden its appeal as a tourist vehicle.
Source: Raonhaje
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Marotti Trike
Powering the single-seat Marotti is a rear-mounted 750 cc V4 engine from Honda which produces 100 horsepower @ 11,000 rpm. In a vehicle weighing just 440 kgs (970 lbs) it should provide more than adequate straight line performance. The transmission consists of 6 sequential forward gears and an electric powered reverse gear.
The chassis of the Marotti trike consists of a box section steel spaceframe running the entire length of the vehicle. The swingarm for the rear suspension is a custom made unit sized to fit the 17 inch rear wheel wrapped in a 275/45R17 tire.
Source: Marotti.eu
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SUB G1
The G1 is a development of a similar concept vehicle (the 1up) created by one of the group, Niki Smart, years earlier. Smart, along with Jay Brett, an industrial designer with experience in constructing concept vehicles for films, and Nick Mynott, a digital modeller with experience in race and concept car construction, decided to develop an attractive, single seat, high performance sports vehicle, specifically designed for entertaining handling and extreme fun.
So far, three SUB G1's have been built and handed over to their owners, 2 in the US and one in the UK, and each has covered over 1000 miles, with no problems.
One of the most noticeable features of the G1 is the outstanding build quality and level of professionalism visible in the overall design. Each part, down to the nuts and bolts, has been well thought out and made to fit with the finished product. By using computer models, the team was able to digitally create and adjust components before manufacturing, therefore reducing costs and unforeseen construction problems.
Power for the SUB G1 comes from a 1000cc Suzuki V-Twin taken from the Suzuki TL1000R sportsbike. The group had originally envisaged an inline 4 cylinder taken from the Yamaha R1, however early on in the mockup stages the group realised they would run into some packaging issues which would upset the 50/50 weight distribution, and the layout they wanted. The Suzuki V-twin fits perfectly, and is mounted to the right of the driver in its own compartment. Developing 135 horsepower and 105 Nm of torque, the engine is force-fed by the noticeable snorkel sitting above the bodywork. Transmission is handled by a 6 speed sequential gearbox connected to the rear wheel by a chain. Current prototypes have no reverse at the moment. But then again, if you're to lazy to get out and push the diminutive G1 a couple yards it's probably not your type of vehicle. The instrument gauges also come from Suzuki, and the cutoff sports steering wheel can be removed to ease entry and exit - while also providing a simple security device, if you take it with you.
The 3 wheeled layout of the G1 has several advantages over the conventional 4 wheel layout. Firstly the yaw response time, (the time taken to achieve a steady state-state of cornering after a quick steering input) is around 0.10 seconds for a well designed 3 wheeler, but 0.15 seconds for a comparable 4 wheel sports car. But perhaps more importantly, having only three wheels and an overall weight less than 1500 lbs (680 kgs), the G1 weighs 727 lbs (330 kg) by the way, the vehicle falls under the designation of a motorcycle. This means the SUB G1 is not bound by the same regulations as a normal sports car, regulations which often impede performance. And as a further bonus the G1 is cleared for use in car pool lanes at all times.
As a further show of their uncompromising design and construction skills, the SUB G1 team decided to use motorcycle tires. Unfortunately there were no ready made wheels available with the required offset so custom units had to be fabricated. The chosen solution. A forged wheel face mounted to a rolled wheel band, all nicely powder coated and pin striped, wrapped with Avon tires usually reserved for custom cruisers.
Limited to a production run of 25, each of the cars delivered to date has been customised to fit the buyer, accommodating sizes, so far, up to 6' 8". For further information on the SUB G1, and details on prices, ordering, specifications etc. And a full rundown of the design process with a large selection of high resolution photographs, visit SUB's official website.
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Lexus Minority Report
This design from Lexus was showcased in the futuristic movie 'Minority Report'.
It is a high performance two-seater sports car projection for the year 2054.
This futuristic car has a strong muscular design theme, with extreme cab-forward seating, and wheels spaced out to each corner, and proportions so unusual that at first glance it's hard to tell the front from the rear. This is Lexus' vision of sports cars of the future.
Cool features of the Minority Report Lexus include a 'heads up' display with night vision an organic recognition, dent-resistant carbon composite body panels, laser guided cruise control, body conforming bucket seats with automatic heating and cooling, voice and gesture controled computer system, rear view video camera, retractable solar body panels for recharging and interior climate control during parking, DNA recognition entry and ignition system, and an 'auto valet' system which drops the owner off then parks the and recharges its batteries using the solar panels.
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i-Scoob Luxury Snowmobile
The i-Scoob is designed for multi-role use. It can either be configured for day-to-day transport for well-heeled Eskimo's, or anyone living in frozen locations where a car or truck may struggle to travel. Or as a way to quickly transport people and equipment over the arctic tundra during scientific exploration.
Drivetrain
The drivetrain of the i-Scoob consists of a hybrid internal combustion engine/electric motor setup. This not only offers an extended range, but the vehicle can be run in a purely electric-mode over shorter distances to reduce the impact on the delicate arctic environment.
The batteries can be charged in three different ways; by the engine acting as a generator, by plugging the vehicle into a mains electricity socket, or by using the fold-out solar panels which are kept in storage boxes either side of the vehicle. And while there may not be much sun in the areas the i-Scoob would operate, every little helps.
The solar panel recharging system could be a lifesaver for users who run out of fuel in the middle of nowhere. Even if it takes a couple days to generate enough power to finish the journey it's better than being permanently stuck.
Design
The exterior design of the i-Scoob was developed to be functional as well as rugged and stylish. Where possible all elements of the design would be as simple as could be allowing the vehicle to be repaired or maintained relatively easily.
At the rear of a vehicle is a secure heavy-duty cargo rack for transporting supplies and equipment. Items can also be stored in the airtight side pods located just forward of the passenger compartment. For much larger items the i-Scoob can be used to pull a trailer sled.
Vacant spaces in the bodywork are filled with foam and the passenger cell is fully watertight. This means that should the vehicle fall through ice into frigid water it will remain afloat. The foam also helps insulate the drivetrain components, and occupants from the harsh environment.
Interior
The interior of the i-Scoob has comfortably enough room for two persons in full snow gear. Entry is via the forward tilting canopy. All the materials found inside are designed to be easily cleaned and waterproof. Control of the i-Scoob is done through a central joystick which means the vehicle can be driven from either seat. This joystick provides control of both acceleration/braking and steering. The central dash of the i-Scoob is a multifunction LCD unit which offers everything from drivetrain performance information and navigation, to settings for the radio and climate control.
The almost completely glazed cockpit of the i-Soob is designed to take advantage of the greenhouse effect and trap as much heat as possible inside the vehicle, while also offering superior vision for the occupants.
Vision
The i-Scoob is a pure concept. There's no intention of producing the vehicle, it's merely an idea for a new form of transport in extremely cold and desolate locations.
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Jeep Cherokee
Ugly has a new poster boy. And it’s this, the 2014 Jeep Cherokee. Clearly out of an intense desire to set the all-new Cherokee apart from the competition, Jeep’s designers have admirably tried to come up with some thing a bit different. Well they’ve certainly succeeded in their mission. Sadly for all the wrong reasons.
The front is where the real problems lie. Front and center is the trademark Jeep grille – which has been awkwardly folded back about half-way up, slitty little headlights which make it look half asleep, a second set of headlights beneath which look like an afterthought, and on the lower level it looks like Jeep have raided the Kia parts bin for their bottom grille.
There isn’t much to redeem it in profile either. It looks like a giant slab of bland, and those squared off wheel arches just don’t seem to match the rest of the curvy bodywork.
There isn’t much to redeem it in profile either. It looks like a giant slab of bland, and those squared off wheel arches just don’t seem to match the rest of the curvy bodywork.
Aside from the fact it offers a significant 45 percent improvement in fuel economy versus Jeep’s outgoing mid-size SUV model, there isn’t much more to report on the 2014 Jeep Cherokee as the company is yet to divulge the full specs on the vehicle. However it is scheduled to debut at the New York Auto Show in April when all the details should emerge. Presumably worried Jeep salesmen will also be on hand to pass around blindfolds to potential customers.
Source: Jeep
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Concept Cars
Mercedes-Benz F 125
This year Mercedes-Benz is celebrating its 125th anniversary as a car
company, More specifically they’re celebrating 125-years since the
first car was patented by Karl Benz. As part of the festivities
Mercedes-Benz are showcasing a forward-thinking vehicle at this year’s
Frankfurt Motor Show.
The F 125! concept, or “research vehicle” as Mercedes-Benz are calling it, is a large, luxury car with dramatic gullwing doors, a high-tech cabin, and a powerful hydrogen-fuel cell drivetrain.
Mercedes-Benz say that their average concept car looks ahead by about seven or eight years, but with the F 125! they’re looking ahead to the year 2025 and beyond. Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development said of the F 125! concept: “With the F 125! we want to show that large, comfortable and safe saloon cars have an excellent future, partly because they are able to operate with no emissions. The legend that is the S-Class will continue into the future thanks to intelligent solutions that always have the customer’s needs in mind.”
The shape of the Mercedes-Benz F 125! concept, coupled with the one-door-per-side layout hides the large size of the car. In photos it almost looks like a small coupe, but in reality it is a large, luxury car with plenty of room for four adults. With the doors closed, the F 125! concept looks futuristic, but at the same time it retains the characteristic Mercedes-Benz conservatism – especially for a concept that’s supposed to be looking 15 years into the unknown. The rear view is particularly classy and the curving taillights work great with the gentle lines of the car.
But the Mercedes-Benz F 125! concept isn’t just about looking good, it’s also about showing how large, luxury cars can evolve to be more economical without sacrificing performance or grace. The F 125! is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and lithium-sulphur batteries. The resulting electrical power is sent to four electric motors – one for each wheel. In total, the modular e4MATIC system, which also uses improved drive components from the SLS AMG E-CELL, generates a continuous output of 231 hp (170 kW ) and a peak output of 313 hp (230 kW ).
In performance numbers that equates to a zero-to-sixty time of just 4.9 seconds, and a top speed of 137 mph. And unlike the limited range of electric cars, the F 125! can go over 600 miles (1,000 km) before refueling.
As you’d expect from a Merc, the interior is full of gadgets and technology. Specifically the F 125! concept is equipped with speech and hand-gesture recognition systems which allow the driver and passengers to interact with the car without actually touching anything. For example, by using the infotainment system the driver can request news stories of interest and set the cabin temperature, all without taking their hands off the wheel.
A high-resolution wide-image display of the view behind makes exterior mirrors unnecessary.
The Mercedes-Benz F 125!’s instrument cluster can be set in 3D mode if requested. The head unit in the upper section of the centre console uses projector-beam technology, and is controlled via a touchpad with 3D fingertracking located within easy reach of the driver. A further, retractable 17-inch display is installed on the front passenger side, and this is fully controlled by hand gestures. In this way a rear passenger can select their TV programs with no physical contact.
To sum up. The Mercedes-Benz F 125! is big and it’s clever. But it’s also (relatively) kind to the environment and unavailable for purchase.
Етикети:
Concept Cars,
Mercedes
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