The 280 MPH streamlined Acabion GTBO
Here is a vehicle which is expected to be able to reach 450 kilometers per hour, or about 280 miles per hour, and accelerate to 400 kilometers per hour, or about 250 miles per hour, in 20 seconds. This performance comes courtesy of a 700-horsepower turbocharged engine and swoopy, streamlined bodywork. The Acabion GTBO is the work of a Swiss company, and it's planning on putting them on the street; 26 of them in the next four years to be exact.
The outrigger wheels on the sides of the machine do what a motorcycle riders legs usually do, namely, keep the vehicle upright under low speed, and retract when the vehicle is moving fast enough to remain stable. The power-to-weight ratio handily beats vehicles such as the Koenigsegg CCXR, Pagani Zonda F and Bugatti Veyron, and compares quite well with current F1 cars and Moto GP motorcycles. We'd like to drive one, maybe not all the way to 280 mph, but drive one nonetheless.
[Source: Gizmag]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
DPC car videos 7:13PM (3/23/2007)
I would like to meet the man brave enough to hit top speed in this thing. By the way do I see training wheels in the picture? :)
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naggs 9:07PM (3/23/2007)
with 700 hp and that body i would expect more than 280 mph
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Aaron 8:05PM (3/23/2007)
Those are the outriggers mentioned in the article. Youd did READ the article...didn't you?
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mk 8:42PM (3/23/2007)
280 miles per hour with only two small tires, thin composite sheeting and acrylic windsheild between me and certain death-inducing road-rash???
I don't think so. I don't have that kind of death wish.
it looks like a ton of fun at somewhat sane speeds, but much beyond 100-130mph... (on a track, of course) I don't think it makes for such a great idea.
you can't move your body around much to affect the lean of the thing, and you don't get thrown away from the machine if it crashes, it keeps you in contact with a tumbling, crashing machine.
Looks like fun, but definitely dangerous.
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Toy Yoda 9:01PM (3/23/2007)
Maybe they will heed the concerns stated here and add an ejection seat safety-option.
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Ben 12:24AM (3/24/2007)
Somebody should explain to the Acabion people, the term "pocket rocket" is only an expression. That thing looks like it should have wings.
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Alienu 8:35AM (3/24/2007)
LoL i'd have no problem bringing that to topspeed it would be a pleasure - 20 seconds to 280mph? c'mon that's almost like the jetengine car , if you don't have the guts you're a pussy.
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Deezee 2:44PM (3/24/2007)
You couldn't pay me enough to get me on that thing. It doesnt look stable.
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gerald 10:20PM (3/25/2007)
I guess the upside is when you crash it and die, there is no need for a coffin. You're already in it. Just make sure you wear a nice suit before you attempt the top speed.
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Acabion 7:43PM (4/01/2007)
Traveling all across the USA and visiting wonderful people in Vero Beach, Austin Tx., Denver, Frisco, NY, Killeen Tx., Marathon Island, New Orleans, St. Antonio, Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh and at dozens of other finest places I always and again and again fell in love with that beautiful country and was amazed by those understanding and open-minded, enthusiastic people. The Acabion is a special contribute to countries like the USA, having big distances to travel and to people of the future USA. The Acabion will travel slow at todays roads. Like 80 mph, with almost no fuel consumption at all. The high speed is for future automated tracks our children will build one day. Thanks a lot for all these wonderful, understanding and useful comments, showing how deeply innovations are understood. I do not link these comments to the country I guess I'm still in love with. Truly, Dr. Peter Maskus, CResO and COO, Acabion TM Lucerne
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Phillip 2:27AM (5/29/2007)
Id hit it...
Scary, maybe. But if you tip it over at speed, your just gonna skid to a stop. Id imagine this being built like the inside of an airplane, maybe thats jsut me... its late.
I love to see this, its a viable idea into future cars. Not the odd and strange concepts we see on TV.
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andreas 5:38PM (11/26/2007)
i haven´t seen or tried acabion vehicle in the real life but i do have a lot of experience riding/racing very low recumbent bicycles enclosed w. carbon/kevlar streamliners also in daily traffic , on 2 wheels using around 0.5 HP at speeds 60-80km/h so i am just thrilled about this innovative transportation unit however i don´t have any understanding why this company is installing into a potentially green machine motor of this seize, focusing at speed potentials instead of building one purely electrical/hybrid economical and focus on commuters for everyday use and priced at a decent level so it could be affordable for almost everyone right now as an alternative to those oversized cars a lot of us really don´t need.Too much talk about the future, the future is right now !
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