TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities » Car Concepts

Buy Your Share of Tesla Motors [Electric Car Company Tesla to Go Public]

Kevin Schram — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:58:48 +0000

Despite a rough corporate history thus far, news giant Reuters is reporting that boutique car manufacturer Tesla is planning to have an IPO (initial public offering). Tesla currently produces an all-electric sports car with a proprietary electric drive train and uses a Lotus-produced body and chassis. The Tesla has a range of 244 miles and can go 0-to-60 in just 3.9 seconds.

Tesla’s publicly stated goal has been to first produce a limited number of expensive sports cars to fund the research and production of a wide-spread, more affordable consumer sedan. Tesla Motors was founded in 2003 by former PayPal executive Elon Musk.

Despite its lofty, green goals, Tesla’s road has been rocky. Just before the first few Tesla’s were released, the blogosphere reported that all of Tesla’s engineering team had been fired by Musk, reportedly over difficulties with the vehicle’s electric drivetrain.

Even after the cars started being delivered to customers, Tesla’s problems didn’t stop as the company was hit hard by the worldwide economic recession and Elon Musk announced that he was going to seek a $9 million loan from a bank. Tesla was instead bailed out by the US Government when they received a $425 million low interest loan from the US Department of Energy.

However, even with all their monetary and technological issues, Tesla appears that it will stay in business, and a source told Reuters that Tesla plans to cash in on Wall Street’s hunger for green technology. No date on the IPO was speculated on (unless you count “near” as a date) and Tesla officially had no comment on the IPO.

Original Post Link: Buy Your Share of Tesla Motors [Electric Car Company Tesla to Go Public] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Related posts on TFTS:

Toyota Prius Becomes the First LTE Connected Car in the World [Toyota and ng Connect to Deliver 4G LTE Connected Car in 2010?]

Chris Smith — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:12:01 +0000

Not only is 2010 going to introduce the first commercially available wireless LTE networks but it looks like various cars of the future will be able to offer the same high-speed 4G connectivity.

The first LTE Connected Car in the world is going to be the Toyota Prius. As announced by ng Connect, the popular hybrid car will offer on board 4G LTE connectivity at some point in the future.

Toyota, as a member of the ng Connect Program, has worked with various companies in order to transform the 2010 Toyota Prius into the first connected LTE hybrid car in the world. With technological support from companies like Alcatel-Lucent, Atlantic Records, QNX Software Systems, chumby and Kabillion, the future Prius will be able to deliver that fast 4G connectivity that we were waiting for. Such a feature is definitely most welcomed while being on the road. It’s the driver’s job to focus on the road but everyone else can enjoy various services made possible by an LTE network.

The LTE Connected Car will offer you “entertainment, infotainment and security services” like vide on-demand, gaming, GPS navigation, vehicle monitoring, home control and a more. Wi-Fi support will definitely be included which means that connected devices will be able to browse the web freely while inside the 2010 Toyota Prius.

We have no idea when your Prius could be transformed in order to accommodate LTE services. Various cell phone makers and wireless subscribers are getting ready to roll out new products that will offer you LTE connectivity and LTE-based services. Most carriers will probably have LTE available next year which might mean that an LTE Connected Toyota Prius could arrive at some point later next year. And let’s not forget about the recent announcement made by a lot of important names in the mobile business earlier this week. An LTE standard solution for voice and SMS services has been already agreed upon which means we’re almost good to go.

Original Post Link: Toyota Prius Becomes the First LTE Connected Car in the World [Toyota and ng Connect to Deliver 4G LTE Connected Car in 2010?] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Related posts on TFTS:

Honda EV-N Concept and U3-X Personal Mobility Device Bundle [EV-N Holds U3-X Segway-like device Inside Door]

Chris Smith — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:24:26 +0000

Just a few days ago we’ve seen a new Honda concept, the U3-X personal mobility device, which might just become a Segway serious competitor, and change forever the way we imagine personal mobility. And today we have the pleasure to see another impressive concept from Honda, the EV-N. It might be small, but it will certainly have at least one surprise for you once you open that door.

And there I go spoiling everything for you! That tiny EV-N car would come bundled with the U3-X device. In fact the later would be housed right inside the door of the EV-N which is more than convenient. Drive your EV-N electric car to the city, park it conveniently and then hop right on that U3-X as it will get you to where you need to be.

Yes, you heard me correctly, the EV-N is an electric concept which will be ready to admire at the Tokyo Motor Show soon. The EV-N is just one of the concept car which will be unveiled in Tokyo and it’s going to be part of Honda’s green HELLO! Zone line. The EV-N is a two-seater that looks tiny and very shy but don’t be fooled by appearances. Smaller than a Mini Cooper, the EV-N could find its way perfectly no matter how crowded your city really is. Features like a solar roof, a communications system and swappable seat fabrics will make you love it even more.

But the best feature by far is the inclusion of the U3-X in the passenger’s doors. It’s like driving the new Batmobile. You have a cool personal mobility device neatly tucked inside a cool car. Well maybe you do lack the Batman suit and all the dangerous weapons but you get the main idea. I’d personally love to drive such a bundle every day but right now we have no idea when Honda will make the EV-N and U3-X available and for what prices. There is however one thing that troubles me about the U3-X. Its top speed is supposed to be 4 MPH which is about as much as my top walking speed when I’m in a hurry. And when I am in a hurry I tend to look for means of transportation that are a little faster than I can be!

Original Post Link: Honda EV-N Concept and U3-X Personal Mobility Device Bundle [EV-N Holds U3-X Segway-like device Inside Door] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Related posts on TFTS:

Covini Six-Wheeled Sports Car [Mighty Cool Mighty Fast]

Piyush — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:59:27 +0000

Maybe its just that am a conventional man and am not easily roused out of thinking outside the box – which is why I find the Covini six wheeler (C6W) to be a slightly unattractive vehicle when you first look at it.

However, if we move beyond looks and consider facts then there is room to be impressed. First by the freshness and audacity of design, the concept and the stats. At the heart of the C6W is an Audi 4.2 litre V8 motor (283.4 kw / 380 bhp @ 6400 rpm) which powers it to a top speed of 300 kmh.

Here it must be said that although we call the design fresh, it is by no means an original idea. The C6W is following in the footsteps of the Tyrell P34 which competed on the Grand Prix circuit in the early seventies. It faded out not because of any issues with the vehicle but because the tire company Goodyear did not find it economical to keep working on development issues related to a six-wheeled race car.

The C6W is a two-seater with four wheels in the front. The prototype was introduced in 2004 and now the vehicle is set for commercial production. The C6W features a tubular chassis made from steel and reinforced carbon fiber. The body is made of fiber glass and carbon fiber. Improved vehicular control is possible in case of depressurization of a front wheel; reduced risk of aquaplaning as the front pair of tires flattens and separates water on the road and affords better gripping to the tires immediately behind.

Original Post Link: Covini Six-Wheeled Sports Car [Mighty Cool Mighty Fast] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Related posts on TFTS:

Splitview Comand From Mercedes [Two People, Same Screen, Different Programs]

Piyush — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:52:16 +0000

The new Splitview technology from Mercedes will be made available in all vehicles of the S-Class. The Splitview Comand screen is essentially an 8″ TFT-LCD color display which allows the driver and the front seat passenger to view different programs on the same screen simultaneously. So, if the driver is viewing a GPS chart on the screen, the passenger can view his favorite film, music video, or TV channel on display. This is achieved by means of pixel display in which the image seen depends upon the angle at which one is seated. A filter masking is used to segregate the combined image created from the two images, namely of GPS and the film being viewed. A neat addition and one that must have required a fair amount of research.

But what exactly does the gadget achieve? Some comfort for the travelers, of course if men are driving both driver and passenger could end up viewing the film. Ditto for women as driver and passenger, both will arrive at the directions through mutual agreement, the need to see the GPS data may not arise at all.

Original Post Link: Splitview Comand From Mercedes [Two People, Same Screen, Different Programs] | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Related posts on TFTS:

The Nissan Mobile Phone With Intelligent Key For Automobiles? Really?

Bo — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:50:39 +0000

Nissan has a phone? No, I don’t mean they have a telephone, I mean they have teamed up with 2 other impressive companies to release a new mobile phone incorporating the “intelligent key system”.

Nissan Motor Co Ltd, NTT DoCoMo Inc and Sharp Corp have jointly developed the world’s first mobile phone capable of functioning as an intelligent key for automobiles.

Nissan, who has been installing this technology in their vehicles since 2002, already has approximately 950 000 vehicles on the road, with this technology cleverly built-in (ready for this type of mobile phone to hit our shelves).

Instead of waiting, Nissan supplied their technical support to the two companies in order to create this phone that will now automatically unlock/lock the car door and start/stop the engine. Basically be the key to your car!

This mobile phone has been made possible due to Sharp manufacturing it while DoCoMo has focussed on the marketability of such a phone in the current market. Luckily, due to Nissan’s foresight, this phone can easily slot into our lives (if we own a Nissan manufactured between 2002 to present) or are planning on buying one.

This is a clever invention which is moving in the direction of past theories of a cellphone/ mobile driven world. It will be interesting to see what other companies start using mobile connectivity and availability in their future products.

At present no solid information is available on this new mobile phone but a demonstration will take place at CEATEC in Japan on the 30th of September and will be released within the 1st quarter of 2009.

[source]

Original Post Link: The Nissan Mobile Phone With Intelligent Key For Automobiles? Really? | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Related posts on TFTS:

Vectrix Electric Super Bike Is First Of Its Kind And Green Technology Has Never Been So Hot!

Bo — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:03:20 +0000

So I’m not much of a bike rider myself but I can sure appreciate the beauty of the streamlined design such as this new concept Electric Superbike; The Vectrix!

The Vectrix Electric Super Bike is the first completely electrically powered bike and is said to be able to complete 20 laps of the Vallelunga circuit in Italy at a top speed of 200km/hour.

Impressive if it indeed does this.

The Vectrix Electric Super Bike comes from the concept first borne through Robrady’s rMOTO. With a little direction from Peter Hughes, this concept became a reality.

The Vectrix follows in its baby brother’s footsteps what with its clean technology and eco friendly vision. It has batteries instead of engine, fuel tank or exhaust so this bike will be gliding along the roads in clean, crisp style.

The “green” bike has caused quite a stir in Milan (where it premiered) and will be on its way to Harrods in London and then Monte Carlo and finally it will debut in America at the January 2008 International CES in Las Vegas.

Once the bike returns from its highly publicized round the world trip, we hope to be seeing it hit the auto shops within the following year – it’s about time a green “vehicle” made it to our grubby paws!

[source]

Original Post Link: Vectrix Electric Super Bike Is First Of Its Kind And Green Technology Has Never Been So Hot! | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Related posts on TFTS:

The MoVille Tear Drop Concept Car Packs A Punch Both In Design As Well As In Available Features

Bo — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 23:22:11 +0000

I was just thinking about the Peugeot design concept car of 2005 when what should happen? Another strangely bubble-like concept gets delivered to my pc screen. The MoVille Tear Drop Concept Car packs a punch both in design as well as in available features.

I’m trying to work out where I should start … this car is just so full of features that I’m almost lost for words … so if you think I’ve stopped short of explaining exactly what this baby does (and started drooling over my keyboard) please forgive me because this concept is too good to be true.

As I have said, The MoVille compact single passenger car (Yes, this would just be for you!) is jam packed with some interesting features which makes this concept car the top of its game so far. Besides its artificial intelligence, it is also eco friendly in that it has a zero emission drive train! This (in English) means that the three magnetic wheels are propelled forward by means of an electromagnetic current.

The artifial intelligence (which makes this the concept car of the century) will ensure that you barely lift a finger. This tear-drop shaped vehicle (for a streamlined drive) will calculate following distances, adjust speeds, drive you around and automatically analyze parameters to ensure the best parking. Proximity sensors, cameras and GPS make this a breeze (so no thinking from your side).

The MoVille also offers wireless road networking in order to connect to other vehicles and respond accordingly.

This minute offering also enables more cars to drive on already congested highways, byways and roads … it tilts vertically to ensure maximum space efficiency while driving and will pivot back and forth to ensure you can exit the vehicle with ease.

MoVille will have an OLED display which will allow passengers to communicate and personalize their own vehicles. This will come in handy as the car won’t be featuring “pimp my ride” paint jobs what with it being made from unpainted biodegradable plastic!

After reading this press release I could carry on forever and extol the virtues of this amazing inventive freaky MoVille … however, I think that the design speaks for itself. With all these features and design ingenuities, I highly doubt we’ll be seeing this type of car in our own lifetime (though one cannot be too sure) … The one thing we can be sure of however is that if more information leaks about a car like this – you’ll be the first to know (from us!)

[source]

Original Post Link: The MoVille Tear Drop Concept Car Packs A Punch Both In Design As Well As In Available Features | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Related posts on TFTS:

This Air Hog Zero Gravity R/C Will Drive You Up The Wall – Literally!

Bo — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:39:46 +0000

We’ve all heard the saying, “Driving me up the wall!” which is something your sibling or boss can do to you … but now you can literally drive up the wall by yourself! That’s right … The Air Hog Zero Gravity R/C defies all that we know from our good friend, Newton!

This Air Hog Zero Gravity R/C is unlike other radio controlled cars (in fact this one is infrared controlled) as it seems to defy the law of gravity by driving up walls and giving spiderman a run for his money by zipping effortlessly towards ceilings. The amazing thing about this “Zero Gravity” contraption is that it is able to perform this unbelievable feat by simply using a fan in the roof to create a suction vacuum against surfaces.

Pretty darn impressive if you ask me.

You’re probably wondering how one would power such an gadget? Well, this baby is powered by charging it and will last a good (but sadly little) 10 minutes on a half an hour charge. I reckon little Timmy might get bored waiting so long for a 10 minute romp (kids are not renowned for their patience I’m afraid so I reckon this is more for adult entertainment.

Either way this 5 inch vehicle will give you hours of entertainment (inbetween 3 x hours charging time of course) and if you’re willing to fit the $50 price tag, you’re in for a treat impressing all your friends!

[source]

Original Post Link: This Air Hog Zero Gravity R/C Will Drive You Up The Wall – Literally! | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Related posts on TFTS:

Lotus’ Concept Ice Vehicle – Nice Ice Baby!

Bo — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:05:00 +0000

If you want to explore the Antarctic, you are already one step closer to madness in my opinion, and may actually enjoy driving along in one of these bizarre Concept Ice Vehicles by Lotus.

The new Concept Ice Vehicle is definately at the top of all adventure junkie’s “must-have” lists, as this gadget-loaded transport device clambers along the icy horizon in all its ice-crunching glory, impressing all the GI Joe “wannabes”. It comes fully equipped with the latest technology, and even Batman and Bond would find it hard to impress us with their gadgets after this baby hits the ice!

Lotus’ design supports a biofuel-powered, propeller-driven vehicle that comes fully equipped with features such as 3 ski feet to move around on and a special spiked foot to grind the powerful machine to a sudden halt, in a hurry, if need be. It’s ice-penetrating radar might come in handy as it detects potential life-threatening flaws in the ice while you step gracefully from ice block to snowy incline back to ice block …

Apparently designed to aid in the Moon Regan TransAntarctic Expedition, at least this monster technological feat will have it’s five minutes of fame, and who knows, perhaps be the beginning of a whole new life in Antarctica?

All in all, a nifty design for all those explorers who have been dying to explore a horizon filled with little other than white snow and white ice and more snow and more ice and, well … you get the picture.

[source]

Original Post Link: Lotus’ Concept Ice Vehicle – Nice Ice Baby! | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Related posts on TFTS:

The UNO Single Seat Urban Transporter

Andrew Tingle — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 16:08:14 +0000

With our inner cities becoming evermore gridlocked, and the issue of traffic congestion becoming increasingly politicised, it’s never made more sense to opt for small, highly agile modes of transport with which you can not only weave through the traffic but which you can park in the tightest of places. We just have to look at the popularity of vehicles such as the Smart Car, to name but one example, to see that many have adopted the idea of owning a secondary vehicle as a means of gaining greater and more convenient urban mobility.

Concepts, such as this UNO – an entry in the 2007 Michelin Challenge Design Competition – are of great interest therefore, as they serve as a tantalising glimpse as to where the future of urban transport is rapidly headed for those of us for whom the ultimate mode of future transport – namely personal air travel – will forever remain unattainable (at least certainly within our lifetimes).

The UNO is a single seat urban vehicle using hybrid hydrogen fuel cells and is powered by independent motors driving each of its wheels resulting in supreme agility which, paired with the wide field of view provided – 30% of the total structure being composed of glazing – should make precision parking a breeze. Interestingly, the headlights as well as the brake and indicator lights comprise of an LED array built into each of the UNO’s main wheels whilst a gyroscopic based motion system – much like that employed in the Segway – providing continuously calculated stability and adaptive handling according to road surface quality.

The UNO is a collaborative concept work overseen by Juan Alberto Cruz Gomez, a 22 year old graduate from Mexico’s Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana (UAM) and further details and imagery can be obtained via this link.

Original Post Link: The UNO Single Seat Urban Transporter | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Related posts on TFTS:

The Awesome Acabion GTBO70 Rocket

Andrew Tingle — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:50:26 +0000

Forgive us, we are fickle things here at TFTS. We thought the Bugatti Veyon was cool. We also thought the Caparo T1 was cool. We still do think that these and the majority of the spectacular cars and car concepts we’ve featured on TFTS are cool, though they just got a little bit warmer because, thanks to the Acabion GTBO70 Rocket we have moved them out of cold storage to make space for this 375mph, 700hp cockpit on wheels.

Weighing in at a mere 359kg, the two seater, carbon fibre Acabion – which, incidentally, is powered by a highly tuned Suzuki motorcycle engine – can propel itself to 280mph in a breathtaking, g-force crushing 19 seconds.

A selection of imagery and a detailed specification follows below.

Yup. We’d be smiling to ourselves too.

Acabion GTBO70 Specification

Body Work: Cabriolet or jet, pilot hood attachable to delta wing at rear Model Carbon fibre, self-supporting, redundant with the space frame of the chassis, ‘fail safe principle’ as in aeroplane construction, engine frame high-strength steel tubing.
Length 5,10 Meter Width 0,78 Meter
Height 1,27 Meters
Weight m empty Acabion GTBO 55: 360 kg, Acabion GTBO 70: 300 kg
Total permitted weight 550 kg
CD-value (drag coefficient) 0,18 Frontal area A = 0,69 m2
Drag coefficient CD*A 0,125
Engine: Basis model Hybrid: A) 1400cc (2007), 16 valves, Turbo. B) Electric power system 3 KW for short-range and slow operation (parking, private terrain, etc.)
Enhanced Mechanics>300 different Carillo, Holeshot, JE, HJS and Zorstec, racing and Dragster-components
Cylinders 4
Valves per cylinder 4
TurbochargerGTBO 36: MHI Acabion Extended, All others: KKK Acabion Extended
Displacement1300 ccm
Bore stroke4 units per 81 * 63 mm Speed value10.900 U/min
Gears: ModelCircuit / Electrical (Powershift)
Gears 6
Reverse gears Electrical
Interior: Complete leather furnishings incl. side coverings, footwell and cockpit
Seats 2, Carbon, leather
Boot150 Litres
Fuel: TankDepending on customer requirements, max. 90 Litres
Motor oil 3,5 Litres
Coolant 7 Litres
Fuel Consumption and Range: with a 90 litre full tank 100 km/h4 l/100 km | 2400 km 200 km/h6 l/100 km 1650 km 300 km/h9 l/100 km | 1100 km 400 km/h14 l/100 km | 700 km 450 km/h16 l/100 km | 550 km

Production is presently limited to 26 models so you’ll have to be quick off the mark yourself to pre-order yours, that’s if you have in the region of $600,000 to spare.

You can access the official website via this link, or download the brochure – in PFD format – directly via this link.

Original Post Link: The Awesome Acabion GTBO70 Rocket | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Related posts on TFTS:

Bombardier 2008 Can-Am 3 Wheel Spyder

Andrew Tingle — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 15:51:03 +0000

Following on from our recent post concerning the VentureOne Hybrid Fighter Car, as well as today’s post about the KTM X-bow, at the expense of beginning to look like autos site we could not hold back from posting about the Bombardier Can-Am Roadster which, like the VentureOne is a 3 wheel device that serves to blur the boundaries between car and motorbike (though this sits rather more on the motorbike side of the fence than the VentureOne).

Manufactured by Canadian company Bombardier Recreational Products who are known for their all terrain vehicles and snow mobiles, the belt-drive Can-Am is powered by a 106hp Rotax 999cc V-Twin liquid cooled engine and features Y-architecture chassis with sports car type suspension as well as four separate Electronic Control Units (ECUs) that detect everything from wheel slippage to engine performance so as to guarantee the optimal torque and grip.

The Can-Am is expected to be available from suppliers around April at a price tag around the $15K mark.

More pictures after the jump.

More details concerning the Can-Am can be obtained buy linking to the official Can-Am Wesite.

Original Post Link: Bombardier 2008 Can-Am 3 Wheel Spyder | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Related posts on TFTS:

KTM X-Bow Promises a Thrilling Ride

Andrew Tingle — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 13:33:07 +0000

Due to be given its first public debut at the up and coming Geneva Motor Show in March, the KTM X-Bow (pronounced ‘Crossbow’) is the first foray into four wheeled vehicles for the Austrian dirt bike manufacturer KTM and it promises to thrill with a mid mounted Audi supplied 2-litre turbocharged engine capable of up to 320bhp which should, theoretically, see it power from zero to sixty mph in well under four seconds – I say ‘theoretically’ as a functional prototype is yet to be produced.

As additional thrill factor, the carbon chassis KTM X-Bow, showing its manufacture’s bike heritage, comes as an open top without any windscreen for that wind in the face feeling, though it’s recommended that helmets be worn.

For further information you can link to the official KTM website.

Original Post Link: KTM X-Bow Promises a Thrilling Ride | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Related posts on TFTS:

The Folding Stackable City Car

Andrew Tingle — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 08:52:51 +0000

With traffic congestion and carbon emissions becoming increasingly politicised the developing market for green urban vehicles is one that car manufactures simply cannot afford to ignore.

And if evidence were needed then the fact that none other than General Motors are backing the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) development of this stackable car should suffice.

This ingenious concept known as the City Car is not your run of the mill electric car, however, as it boasts a number of ingenious innovations which includes the ability for it to be stacked when parked – very much in the same way as shopping trolleys – courtesy of a unique folding, lightweight modular chassis.

The innovation doesn’t stop there either as the City Car has also dispensed with the need for a driveline and transmission – which facilitates the car’s ability to be stacked – by cleverly powering each wheel with independent electric motors.

From a parking perspective this will allow the City Car to be parked (and recharged) whilst taking up the minimum of space. And manoeuvring into tight spaces should prove less taxing that with traditional vehicles thanks to the omni-directional steering which literally allows the City Car to turn on the spot (using not a steering wheel, but handlebars).

Use of the City Car is envisaged as being on a pay to rent basis, with vehicles being hired with the swipe of a credit card for short journeys through cities and towns before being restacked for charging from solar power units.

You can read more concerning the City Car Concept by clicking here or you can link directly to the interactive presentation concerning the City Car’s innovative features, as featured on Boston.com, via this link.

Original Post Link: The Folding Stackable City Car | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Related posts on TFTS:

The VentureOne Hybrid Fighter Car

Andrew Tingle — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 01:25:06 +0000

Claiming to offer the exhilaration of a sports car with the agility of a motorcycle, driving the VentureOne would appear to feel more like piloting a figher jet a mere two feet off the ground as not only does the inside of the VentureOne look more like the cockpit of a fighter that but this vehicle will also trill you as it tilts you around corners.

Still at development stage, but promised to be commercially available by late 2008 (with an estimated retail price of around $20,000) the VentureOne, though classed as a motorcycle, offers tandem seating for two people in its fully enclosed frame which also offers a reinforced roll-cage and front and side impact protection which, statistically speaking, offers 33 times the level of safety that its two wheeled cousins.

The VentureOne, which coincidentally comes with full iPod compatability, will be offered in three separate variants ranging from a 60KW electrical hybrid to a 100KW model that will accelerate you to 60mph in less than five seconds and is capable of a very respectable 120mph.

If any further evidence were needed that being environmentally friendly is ultimately boring then the VentureOne certainly appears to fit the bill. We just hope that it does indeed see the light of day.

[Source | JoeTech]

You can lin to the official VentureOne website vis this link. Alternatively here are some other selected posts you may find of interest:

The 233KPH Hawk 3 Wheeler Concept

The 140mph T-Rex 3 Wheeler Sportster

The First Carbon Chassis Velocipede HPV

Original Post Link: The VentureOne Hybrid Fighter Car | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Related posts on TFTS:

BMW Series 1 Air Camper

Andrew Tingle — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 20:30:48 +0000

When I first came across the image featured here my first thought was that this was some sort of colostomy bag for BMWs.

On further reading, however, it actually transpires that it’s an inflatable living area – aka tent – that was developed for the BMW series 1 launch a couple of years ago.

Apparently designed to be inflated via a fan hooked up to the car’s cigarette lighter, this instant inflatable shelter is actually quite a neat idea that, as far as we are aware, never actually saw the light of day – perhaps on account of the fact that BMW drivers have enough problem using their indicators let alone having to work out how to inflate a tent at the back of the car.

[Source | Winding Road via Coolest Gadgets]

Original Post Link: BMW Series 1 Air Camper | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Related posts on TFTS:

Peugeot Design Contest Concepts

Andrew Tingle — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 11:59:10 +0000

Those looking for a glimpse of what the future of automotive design may have in store for us are positively inundated with imagery these days and, though we’ve featured a fair few future car concepts on TFTS we do try to only feature those that, in our humble opinions, stand out in some way from the crowd.

And this is certainly the case as far as the rather swanky looking Cub is concerned. The Cub is one of the 10 design concepts picked from masses of entries in Peugeot’s 2007 Design contest and whilst it would be true to say that all ten of the featured design are startlingly eye-catching we were drawn in particular to the Cub – primarily due to the design of the back wheels which is nothing short of sheer brilliance.

You can see some high resolution of the glorious Cub below though, in honesty, as is the case with 99.9% of the concepts we stumble across the chances of us seeing it any time soon – if ever – are extremely remote.

The good news, for Xbox 360 owners at least, is that the winning entry will apparently be featured in an up and coming Xbox 360 game – though I’m unable to hone down on exactly what game this will be.

You can view further imagery of the Cub, along with not only the other ten finalists’ designs but the twenty other entries that just missed out by linking to the Peugeot Design Contest 2007 Website via this link.

Original Post Link: Peugeot Design Contest Concepts | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Related posts on TFTS:

The 233KPH Hawk 3 Wheeler Concept

Andrew Tingle — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 20:07:27 +0000

Following on from the extremely popular post concerning the rather magnificent T-Rex 3 wheeler, which at the time of writing is still ranked as our fifth popular post here at TFTS, we could not help but draw your attention to the fabulously futuristic Hawk 3 wheeler vehicle by the designer Alex Hodge.

The lightweight, single seat Hawk is powered by a Honda RC51 V-twin 999cc engine and is listed as having a “theoretical” top speed of 233kph – so, like the aforementioned T-Rex, the Hawk is by no means a slouch in the speed department.

Information concerning this great concept is a little scant at present, but we at TFTS will be keeping our eyes well and truly peeled for further details and you can rest assured that the moment we have more information we’ll be offering it here without delay.

In the meantime, you can see some further imagery of this startlingly beautiful design below.

If you would like to leave some feedback for Alex, you can link to the Hawk’s web page via this link.

Original Post Link: The 233KPH Hawk 3 Wheeler Concept | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Related posts on TFTS:

Saab Aero X Concept Car

Andrew Tingle — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 01:34:05 +0000

Having recently just been awarded the Concept of the Year Award by Autocar the Saab Aero X has obviously already turned a few heads.

And with seek styling such as this, should we be surprised?

Featuring an innovative wrap around windscreen, turbine wheels and an interior that resembles that of a fighter jet rather than a car – no doubt the result of Saab’s prestigious aviation heritage – the Aero X is built around a 2.8 litre V6 Turbo all-aluminum bio-fuelled engine that delivers 400bph and can power the car from 0-60 in a very respectable 4.9 seconds.

You can see a selection of larger images of Saab’s Aero X concept car after the jump.

You can read more concerning the astoundingly gorgeous Aero X, as well as view a series of high resolution imagery, via the official site linked here.

Original Post Link: Saab Aero X Concept Car | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Related posts on TFTS:

The Audi Quattroflex Concept Car

Andrew Tingle — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 20:38:12 +0000

Of the many future car concepts we have seen of late here at TFTS Towers, the Audi Quattroflex, which has the distinction of winning a “Best Use of Technology Award” at the Interior Motives Design Awards 2006, is certainly one of the most visually striking.

Designed by Alexey Bykov, a student of the Ural State Academy of Arts and Architecture, the Quattroflex is composed of an open carriage manufactured from flexible materials set between front and back cylinders that serve to house the mechanics. And, rather than being controlled by a conventional steering wheel, the Quattroflex is driven using a joystick set in the centre of the vehicle – which cleverly allows for both left and right hand drive without modification.

You can read more concerning the Quattroflex, and view a selection of breathtaking high resolution images of this concept, by clicking on this link.

[Source: Autoblog via Spluch]

Original Post Link: The Audi Quattroflex Concept Car | Published by TFTS - Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Related posts on TFTS: