Silliness What happened today??? - Page 4

nekokami · 10-02-2008, 02:56 PM

I agree about GM, but I'm quite interested to see what Toyota does.

NatCh · 10-02-2008, 03:02 PM

I'm still pretty interested in these compressed air car things:

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-02-2008, 03:03 PM

Yes... they are in the process of revamping the Prius to make it more easily converted to plug-in hybrid (although they seem to not show any interest in doing it themselves). They may have a completely different all-electric platform they are active on.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-02-2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

I'm still pretty interested in these compressed air car things:

I just want them to look vaguely like cars, and have a little storage space. For 1-up driving, I may get an electric scooter.

NatCh · 10-02-2008, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

I just want them to look vaguely like cars, and have a little storage space. For 1-up driving, I may get an electric scooter.

Have a look at the site, the model they're rolling out is supposed to seat 6 and have a fair bit of storage room in the back.

nekokami · 10-02-2008, 03:07 PM

I don't really care what they look like, but a bit of storage and a way to keep the rain off would be preferable. I admit I've been looking at scooters and mopeds, however. Or a motor assist for my bike. I'm only 7 miles from work, but I'm not in as good shape as when I used to bike to and from high school (12 miles each way) every day. In particular, I have more trouble with hills now than I did when I was biking regularly.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-02-2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

Have a look at the site, the model they're rolling out is supposed to seat 6 and have a fair bit of storage room in the back.

Yeah, I could do one of those. I've seen a few other electric designs that don't look bad. I was alluding to vehicles like the Smart, which I consider God-awful ugly, and not likely to get much interest unless they at least look attractive.

Another example of attractive design for electrics:

(@Pshrynk: Very Miata-like, no? Well, okay, maybe more beetle-like...)

vivaldirules · 10-02-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

...these compressed air car things

Not sure what to call it, are you?

Frankly, I'm interested, too.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-02-2008, 04:22 PM

Of course, in a pinch, I'd take one of these and just load batteries in the trunk and hood...

NatCh · 10-02-2008, 04:28 PM

And just what the heck is that?

nekokami · 10-02-2008, 04:54 PM

MAKE magazine had a good article on how to retrofit a car to electric power about 2 years ago.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-02-2008, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

And just what the heck is that?

That is a Panther 6, a late-1970s prototype that unfortunately never got beyond a few pre-production models.

NatCh · 10-02-2008, 05:33 PM

But ... it's not electric is it? As massive as it is it'd never make it around the block!

Steven Lyle Jordan · 10-02-2008, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

But ... it's not electric is it? As massive as it is it'd never make it around the block!

It wasn't electric... the prototypes were built with 12-cylinder engines, and were considered sports cars. Apparently, the complex linkages involved with the 4-wheel steering and suspension, not to mention the custom Pirelli tires, were too much for the project. (Projected $96,000 in 1980 dollars to buy one!)

But with today's lighter batteries... and lots of room to put them... I think this thing could do a great job as an electric showcar. (Don't put lead-acid batteries in there... it'll probably crack the pavement!)

Slite · 10-03-2008, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

That is a Panther 6, a late-1970s prototype that unfortunately never got beyond a few pre-production models.

I would love to have THIS ONE! I just can't stop wondering "What the hell were they thinking" everytime I see it

10-02-2008, 04:22 PM	#54
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	Of course, in a pinch, I'd take one of these and just load batteries in the trunk and hood... Attached Thumbnails

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10-02-2008, 02:56 PM	#46
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	I agree about GM, but I'm quite interested to see what Toyota does.

10-02-2008, 03:02 PM	#47
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	I'm still pretty interested in these compressed air car things:

10-02-2008, 03:03 PM	#48
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	Yes... they are in the process of revamping the Prius to make it more easily converted to plug-in hybrid (although they seem to not show any interest in doing it themselves). They may have a completely different all-electric platform they are active on.

10-02-2008, 03:07 PM	#51
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	I don't really care what they look like, but a bit of storage and a way to keep the rain off would be preferable. I admit I've been looking at scooters and mopeds, however. Or a motor assist for my bike. I'm only 7 miles from work, but I'm not in as good shape as when I used to bike to and from high school (12 miles each way) every day. In particular, I have more trouble with hills now than I did when I was biking regularly.

10-02-2008, 04:28 PM	#55
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	And just what the heck is that?

10-02-2008, 04:54 PM	#56
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	MAKE magazine had a good article on how to retrofit a car to electric power about 2 years ago.

10-02-2008, 05:33 PM	#58
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	But ... it's not electric is it? As massive as it is it'd never make it around the block!

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