Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrids/Alternative, Euro, Green
Swiss shift out of neutral with Mindset E-Motion
Despite hosting one of the biggest auto shows of the year, and notwithstanding the occasional quirky Rinspeed and BMW grand prix car, Switzerland doesn't have much of an automotive industry to speak of. But hybrids, now that's a bandwagon the Swiss can jump on. Witness the E-Motion, a gasoline-electric hybrid shooting brake concept from Swiss firm Mindset.
Although it currently only exists as a scale model, Mindset says they could have the E-Motion in production by next year, building 10,000 units annually for €50k apiece. Former VW stylist Murat Guenak is said to have penned the modern design, which incorporates such retro subtle touches as round headlights, gullwing doors and rear glass canopies, in its composite body panels laid over an aluminum spaceframe. The lightweight construction would keep the car's weight down to 800kg (1764 lbs) despite measuring 4.2m (13.8 ft) in length, driven by a hybrid powertrain similar in concept to the GM E-Flex system found in the Chevy Volt: a small 24hp gas engine charging lithium-ion batteries to give it a 100km range, plus a solar roof panel to soak in some extra juice along the way. After the jump, you can see video shot last month of the prototype-in-progress on a test run. Listen to that motor -- it's like a bat stuck in a ceiling fan!
[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via 4Car]
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Andrew 12:15PM (2/17/2008)
I can dig it, I'm just not sure I'd own one.
Reply
Richard 12:31PM (2/17/2008)
See, Marge,
There are cars uglier than the Subaru Tribeca!
Reply
Mike 12:53PM (2/17/2008)
I understand that the hyperbole generally flows pretty thick from start-up manufacturers, but the claim that Mindset could design a car with both a gas and electric motor, which could pass modern crash standards, would weigh less than an Elise, include a solar panel for recharging, and bring it to market in just a year for only €50,000 seems to be pushing the boundaries of believable.
The fact that "it currently only exists as a scale model" doesn't lend much weight to the claims either.
Reply
brian hague 1:26PM (2/17/2008)
separated at birth?
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h251/BlueDragon8144/gallery81.jpg
in reference to the third movie... INDIANS!!!
Reply
imoore 2:06PM (2/17/2008)
It's weird-looking but I like it. The only thing that keeps me from possibly buying one is the range. It seems that all these hybrids and electric -powered cars have only a short driving range, so that makes it useless for long-distance driving. Build an electric car that can go for at least 3000 miles before charging, and I'll buy one. Otherwise, no thanks. I don't need another toy to throw money away on.
Reply
Elias 4:06PM (2/17/2008)
"Switzerland doesn't have much of an automotive industry to speak of." didn't mention "Sbarro" which made beautifully prototypes and Sauber, former F1 independent team now BMW owned, not mentioning many automotive parts manufacturers and services
Reply
Nacon 5:42PM (2/17/2008)
I'm impressed that it took off really quick without drag-delay look that you always see from a normal car.
(but of course, without the rest of its body on the frame.)
Reply
Guenther 8:34AM (2/18/2008)
OK, I can appreciate the specs as much as the next geek, but why, oh WHY does it have to look so ghastly?
Reply
2o6 9:44AM (2/18/2008)
Looks like one of those AUTOBLOX cars.
Reply