If you’re looking for a stunningly-designed, futuristic-looking, eco-friendly motor vehicle, you need not look any further than the Aptera Typ-1. Forget the General Motors EV1 or the Toyota Prius, this car has all the looks and innovative technology to match. The Aptera Typ-1 is a 2-seat, three wheeled passenger vehicle. It is available in both all-electric and series hybrid configurations, at arounf £20,000/$30,000. Aerodynamic optimisation using computer-based simulations and light-weight composite construction yields a vehicle which consumes only 80 Wh/mi at 55 mph, about half the energy needed to propel the General Motors EV1. On the battery electric model, this means a 120 mile range on 10 kWh of electricity, or around 340 mpg price equivalent. On the hybrid vehicle, it leads to projections of 130 mpg on gasoline alone, or 300 mpg if plugged in every 120 miles.
Tags: aerodynamic, Aptera, car, composite, Design, electric, hybrid, motorcycle, renewable energy, solar panels, Typ-1
Vehicle design at the Royal College of Art has a global reputation for nurturing up-and-coming car designers, boasting an alumni that reads like the who’s who of the car design world.
Tags: Aston Martin, Aston Martin’s design director, Audi TT, car, car design world, Concept, concept car, Design, design director, designer, eco-car, Ford of Europe, Ian Callum, IPC, Jaguar design chief, less energy consumption, lost energy, Marek Reichman, Martin Smith, maverick designer, original Audi TT designer and current head, Peter Horbury, Peter Schreyer, Phoenix, Pilkington, Pilkington Automotive Vehicle Design Award, Royal College of Art, Sergio Loureiro Da Silva, Sergio Loureiro Da Silva Vehicle, Spain, Spanish, up-and-coming car designers, vehicle, vehicle design, Volvo, Wallpaper.com, winner
Swiss design company Rinspeed, makers of the Rinspeed Splash have created a true sports car which transforms into a hydrofoil speed boat capable of a very respectable 50 kph. Under the ultra-light carbon-composite skin lies much more than just an agile and lively sports car. The Rinspeed Splash is the true incarnation of a really cool and fun sports toy. At the push of a button a cleverly thought-out hydraulic mechanism transforms the sports car into an amphibious vehicle. A highly complex integrated hydrofoil system enables the Splash to fly at an altitude of about 60 cm above the water.
Tags: car, carbon-composite, Design, hydrofoil, Miscellaneous, Rinspeed, splash, Swiss