floydv
Elio Addict
Shell unveils 89-mpg Project M concept city car
Seems like corporate green washing, but there are some interesting concepts here.
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Shell's 89 Mpg Project M
- Thread starter floydv
- Start date
Shell unveils 89-mpg Project M concept city car
Seems like corporate green washing, but there are some interesting concepts here.
Yes, pretty much. These things make Shell look like they care. Just like the lean machine rarely does any of the conceptual design make it into production. The legacy is usually to inspire rather than implement. The VW XL1 is a good example. The prototype 1LVW adopted a style in the next version, and that style is pretty much all that made it into a product line.
And it's not very new either, just combining the Tango and a 3 seat configuration announcing 3d printing just to help make it seem more tangible. I do think this is a possible layout that Elio could consider for a model 2, maybe in year-5?
Given the short wheelbase and narrow track, I think Project-M as more city/urban capable than it is freeway ready. As such it complements the Elio as much as it competes with it.
Here is the XL1 remake of the 1LVW, plus some other concepts that will never see volume production, except for maybe some adoption of styling. Of course I exclude the entire idea of hub-less. That's for art and not for utility or sensibility. If we ever saw a Liion (below) it would certainly not have that feature.
Having said that, when the Elio goes production and make any kind of interesting sales, it will definitely open the door to some of these alternative layouts. That is what happened for the consumer version of the two seat runabout in the early 70's. For many years prior it was considered only as a sports car niche for rich men. Although the Corvair was a serious exception to that rule, but still a niche.
I can't help but think the Liion inspired the Elio creamcickle color.
Having said that, when the Elio goes production and make any kind of interesting sales, it will definitely open the door to some of these alternative layouts. That is what happened for the consumer version of the two seat runabout in the early 70's. For many years prior it was considered only as a sports car niche for rich men. Although the Corvair was a serious exception to that rule, but still a niche.
I can't help but think the Liion inspired the Elio creamcickle color.
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bunchathrees
Elio Addict
First impression: A Loony Tunes character.
It looks cross eyed !
And very "top heavy"; the first thing I would think is that I have to sit straight up in it and forward to be able to sit in it.
In that 3 wheeler, I love the Hubless wheels; but that a give away that it's only a prototype because hubless has been around for a while, but the only place you'll see them is on prototypes or show cars.
BigWarpGuy
Elio Addict
According to Autoblog, it uses the engine from a Smart Fortwo.
'In addition to reportedly using the lightest available powerplant, a three-cylinder Smart car gasoline engine, the unit has been overhauled by ex-Honda F1 engine wizard Osamu Goto's Geo Technology to minimize friction and maximize efficiency. '
'In addition to reportedly using the lightest available powerplant, a three-cylinder Smart car gasoline engine, the unit has been overhauled by ex-Honda F1 engine wizard Osamu Goto's Geo Technology to minimize friction and maximize efficiency. '
Definitely not an American car. It wouldn't survive even a low speed crash. I bet they keep the price to themselves as well. No seat belts for the passengers? Like I said. Not an American car. Probably never even a real build prototype.