The car they are showing doesn't even run yet. The car is built on a tube chassis with donor subframes. It's a kit car. A car that has never been driven.
They rushed the car to get it "complete" and ready for the show. It was just painted on Tuesday.
These guys are dreaming big, but they are not showing a production car. At most, they are demonstrating an alternative hybrid drivetrain.
@Maxximtl: "..At most, they are demonstrating an alternative hybrid drivetrain..."
I actually like the aerodynamic look of the body. But even if the main thing IS the drive train, if they are obtaining performance that is even in the same ballpark as electric hybrids, without all the heavy metals, mining and so forth, the technology would be quite compelling.
I'm really quite excited about how this new technological challenge has brought forth so many unique designs. To use evolutionary terminology, we are in that part of the punctuated equilibrium, where the status quo has been upset, and a wide radiation of competing designs will determine the dominant technology for many years to come.
For any geek, this is a pretty cool time to be alive.
@DoctorNine: Hey, Doc, this is not all that new. The Caterpillar skid steer loader we have at work operates on the same concept. If I fuel it from one of the 55 gallon drums of nasty used fryer grease from one of the restaurants across the street it's a BioDiesel Hydraulic Hybrid. Sorry to bust your balls. It is a blast to drive, anyway. You'd like it, I promise.
@CptSevere: "..Hey, Doc, this is not all that new.."
Yeah, you're right, the technology isn't, but the challenge IS. It used to be that this type of system was just for marginal applications, because there was so much easy fuel to be had. Now that global warming and petroleum shortages are the concerns of the day, we have to re-examine a lot of ideas that have been used before, and see which ones would be right for the job. Classic MechE issue, like someone said. We'll see what shakes out, but I'm just enjoying the ride.
Interesting vehicle. The shape is very reminiscent of artist renderings from the 50s of future cars, minus wings and fake jets.
One thing's for sure: it needs bigger lights and a front emblem to give it more character. The back really works for me though...make me think of old Ferrari racers.
@Potatoswatter: And Gatling-gun, and for god sakes can someone stick an F1 on that thing pronto, NO not one of the new ones, one of those old GIANT ones, and paint it yellow!
@burn_2002: In general, kinetic energy recapture with pressurized hydraulics uses a pressure vessel that is partially filled with the hydraulic fluid, and partially filled with a compressible gas, with both phases separated by a membrane. Kind of like the reservoirs of potable water that some buildings use in their attics, when water mains don't provide reliable pressure.
@DoctorNine: Yeah, but doesn't the energy capacity depend entirely on the gas volume? I'm not a MechE, but meh. Hard to match the energy density of a capacitor far as I know.
I hope it beats out the hybrid electrics. Hydraulic hybrids are more efficient, and mechanically simpler. They just don't get the press that the electric hybrids do. Sure, it's ugly, but if it could just garner some public interest in the technology, I would like to see it do well.
But of course, it can't beat the 400 horsepower Mustang. That reaches 60 in, um, three seconds?
04/03/09
04/02/09
The car they are showing doesn't even run yet. The car is built on a tube chassis with donor subframes. It's a kit car. A car that has never been driven.
They rushed the car to get it "complete" and ready for the show. It was just painted on Tuesday.
These guys are dreaming big, but they are not showing a production car. At most, they are demonstrating an alternative hybrid drivetrain.
04/02/09
I actually like the aerodynamic look of the body. But even if the main thing IS the drive train, if they are obtaining performance that is even in the same ballpark as electric hybrids, without all the heavy metals, mining and so forth, the technology would be quite compelling.
I'm really quite excited about how this new technological challenge has brought forth so many unique designs. To use evolutionary terminology, we are in that part of the punctuated equilibrium, where the status quo has been upset, and a wide radiation of competing designs will determine the dominant technology for many years to come.
For any geek, this is a pretty cool time to be alive.
04/03/09
04/03/09
Yeah, you're right, the technology isn't, but the challenge IS. It used to be that this type of system was just for marginal applications, because there was so much easy fuel to be had. Now that global warming and petroleum shortages are the concerns of the day, we have to re-examine a lot of ideas that have been used before, and see which ones would be right for the job. Classic MechE issue, like someone said. We'll see what shakes out, but I'm just enjoying the ride.
04/02/09
One thing's for sure: it needs bigger lights and a front emblem to give it more character. The back really works for me though...make me think of old Ferrari racers.
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How exactly do you compress a liquid?....
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But of course, it can't beat the 400 horsepower Mustang. That reaches 60 in, um, three seconds?
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And to the Denver Auto Show: HA HA! I'm not coming!
04/02/09
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