Autoblog

SEMA 2009: Local Motors Rally Fighter touches down in Vegas

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:21:00 EST

2010 Local motors Rally Fighter - Click above for high-res image gallery

It looks like the open source model can work for building new cars after all. We finally managed to track down the Local Motors Rally Fighter here at SEMA, and it is even more awesome in person than in pics. The interior on this pre-production car obviously still needs some work, but the rest is really impressive. Looking like some crazy mashup of a fighter plane and a SCORE rally truck, we hope this is the vehicle Mel Gibson picks to replace the last of the V8 Interceptors in Mad Max 4.

We spent some time around the vehicle, soaking in all of the details, listening to the reactions of passers-by, and talking to the folks from Local. The passion of the principles is obvious and it's clear that the vehicle has been well thought-out. While much of the Rally Fighter is unique, they weren't bashful about borrowing off-the-rack parts where they knew good ones already existed - Ford F-150 uprights that have been proven at Baja, a Mercedes bumper support system, Fox off-road shocks, a healthy but frugal BMW diesel from the 335d, and the list goes on and on.

Local Motors CEO, Jay Rogers, also pointed out some of the fighter plane styling cues that made it into the final Sangho Kim design. We especially like the cockpit-like greenhouse and the P-51 Mustang-inspired underbody flaring. Jay says the company has already taken 34 orders and that customers will be able to help build their cars by June of next year.

That's right, you get to spend some time with the Local Motors gang, either at their current home in Massachusetts, or at a future facility in Phoenix. They'll spend two weeks with you teaching you how to build your own Rally Fighter, never assuming too much of the owners. We like to think of it as a type of Habitat for Humanity for car people where you put some sweat equity into your new property. We look forward to getting behind the wheel of this beast soon, heck, we'd love to build one ourselves, but until then you can read the press release and view the gallery below.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Local Motors Rally Fighter

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SEMA 2009: Local Motors Rally Fighter touches down in Vegas originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva Preview: EDAG open-source Light Car

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:20:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Green

Click above for high-res image gallery of the EDAG Light Car - Open Source

New technologies are set to dramatically change the way that future cars are designed, at least according to German design firm EDAG, which is set to debut its latest concept vehicle - called the "Light Car - Open Source" - at the Geneva Motor Show in March. EDAG claims this is the first car to be made from basalt fiber, which is sort of like carbon fiber but much cheaper and fully recyclable. That's not the most interesting bit, though, as sitting just below the concept car's glass-like surface are strings of organic light-emitting diodes that are user-configurable and can change the look of the car's headlamps and interior cockpit, as well as use the tail-gate as a projection screen to "communicate" with other cars around it.

Hub-mounted electric motors draw power from an on-board lithum-ion battery pack that's said to be capable of providing a range of 93 miles (150 kilometers). The lack of an engine or transmission enables "luxury class" levels of space inside with compact class outer dimensions. So, what's the open source part of the project? EDAG claims that it's actively approaching other companies to work on the development of this concept car with the goal of defining what the car of the future will be. Stay tuned for our reactions after seeing the concept live in Geneva for ourselves.

Gallery: EDAG Light Car

[Source: EDAG]

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Geneva Preview: EDAG open-source Light Car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Android open-source OS could come to cars

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 08:33:00 EST

Filed under: Audio, Gadgets, Technology, BMW

It's no secret that our cars are quickly becoming extensions of our data-crazed lives. Everywhere we go, we surround ourselves with electronics meant to make our lives more convenient. Plus, most of these gadgets are just plain cool. Microsoft and Ford started something with the SYNC system and Apple has the market cornered with its iPod and iPhone, with integration of those i-devices now becoming popular options with car shoppers. Don't expect Google to sit back and watch. The internet giant has teamed up with an impressive list of major players, including Intel and Wind River Systems. These companies are actively working on getting their Android open-source operating system integrated into cars as we speak. If we had to wager a guess, it would be BMW that's most likely to roll out a new Android-powered infotainment system first, possibly as early as next year according to John Bruggeman, chief marketing officer at Wind River. For an early look at the first device with the Android OS, check out Engadget's recent feature.

[Source: CNET via Jalopnik]

Google Android open-source OS could come to cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The OScar Open Source car finally debuts!

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Europe

those visiting the AutoRAI show in Amsterdam this week see a free car on display. Well, it's "free" in the sense that the vehicle's specifications, technical drawings and the like are available to anyone who wants them. It's called the c,mm,n (common), and is the first fruit of the OScar project. OScar was the brainchild of the Netherlands Society for Nature and Environment and the universities at Eindhoven, Enschede, and Delft. We first told you about this project a year ago and now have the first working model to show you. This true Open Source car was designed by an online community over the past eight years. The goal was to produce a simple, sturdy, easily-maintained, multi-functional, modular vehicle that was truly international.

The c,mm,n is intended to be a green family vehicle that can and should be adapted to individual market needs. If you use the basic platform, the group requests that you share your modifications, too. As with many products designed by committee, the results are... well, not as clean as cars designed by a single pen. The name is almost as clumsy as the exterior, but not quite. But feel free to change the looks as much as you please, just share the upgrades with the world. On the plus side, it uses a hydrogen fuel cell for propulsion and features high-tech goodies like a 2-way interactive GPS with live traffic and parking info.

[Source: Winding Road]

The OScar Open Source car finally debuts! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Mar 2007 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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