Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[India's Rickshaw Challenge is lunacy on three wheels]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/indias-rickshaw-challenge-is-lunacy-on-three-wheels/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/indias-rickshaw-challenge-is-lunacy-on-three-wheels/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/indias-rickshaw-challenge-is-lunacy-on-three-wheels/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Any race that bills itself as, "As An Amazing Race For The Clinically Insane" had better be pretty special. Special like a 24 Hours of LeMons where all the drivers freebase psilocybin special. Good news - the Rickshaw Challenge seems to be just about that special.

Serious: participants are taken "into the heart of India, where you'll traverse every possible micro climate; from metropolis, tropical jungle, arid desert, ancient valleys and the epic coastline." And the whole race is run on three-wheeled Auto Rickshaws (yes, that blue thing). Why? Oh, you know, like... charity. Or something. But no matter the excuse, this race looks like one hundred pounds of fun in a fifty pound bag. I mean, just read through the pimpin' section.The Rickshaw Challenge runs four events per year and the Mumbai Xpress 2009 starts this Friday, July 31. Man, we wish were were signed up.

[Source: Rickshawchallenge.com]

India's Rickshaw Challenge is lunacy on three wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>IndiaMumbai XpressMumbai Xpress 2009MumbaiXpressMumbaiXpress2009RickshawRickshaw ChallengeRickshawChallengeTue, 28 Jul 2009 08:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Tuk Tuk USA gets DOT and EPA approval]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/15/tuk-tuk-usa-gets-dot-and-epa-approval/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/15/tuk-tuk-usa-gets-dot-and-epa-approval/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/15/tuk-tuk-usa-gets-dot-and-epa-approval/#commentsFiled under: ,



Upon returning from a recent trip to Thailand, friends of ours related experiences of what it's like to travel on somewhat primitive roads in somewhat primitive vehicles. Disconcerting at first, but totally acceptable after a few trips prove that it's (relatively) safe. The vehicles of choice in Thailand, along with a bunch of other far-away locales, are Tuk Tuks, three-wheeled machines that marry the front end of a scooter to the rear end of a passenger car. Soon, you'll be able to get one in America.

We just got an email message from Tuk Tuk North America informing us that the company has officially been granted both DOT and EPA approval for its line of Mitsubishi-powered three-wheelers. This means that the Tuk Tuk will be completely road legal here in the United States. We're not so sure you'd want to drive one cross-country (though we understand it's fully capable of such trips), but as an around-town errand-runner, the little scoots might work out just fine, returning an estimated 55 miles per gallon.

The Tuk Tuk will come in many different styles, ranging from a three-passenger model up to the 12-passenger hauler. In addition to the passenger vehicles, there's a pick-up truck, dump truck, garbage truck (!), flatbed, van and even a bare chassis for DIY projects, with prices starting at just under $10,000.

[Source: Tuk Tuk USA]

Tuk Tuk USA gets DOT and EPA approval originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto rickshawautorickshawrickshawtuk tuktuk tuk usatuk tuksTukTuktuktuk usaTukTuksTukTukUsaWed, 15 Apr 2009 19:28:00 EST<![CDATA[MINI Clubman Rickshaws running around Beijing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/08/mini-clubman-rickshaws-running-around-beijing/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/08/mini-clubman-rickshaws-running-around-beijing/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/08/mini-clubman-rickshaws-running-around-beijing/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for more shots of the MINI Clubman Rickshaws

The rickshaw is a time-honored method of transportation in China. While the vehicles were initially pulled around by men on foot, the pedal-powered versions have grown much more popular in recent years and are a symbol of Chinese culture. When Beijing MINI needed an interesting way to communicate that the Clubman model was being introduced in Chinese, especially in light of all the media attention on the Olympics, it back-halved a slew of new Clubmans, mounted a pedicab front-end and sent them out for business.

According to China Car Times, MINI's publicity stunt is working exactly as planned. Though the vast majority of media coverage is centered on those games from Greece, the MINI Rickshaws have managed to make some headlines of their own. We think the cabs turned out pretty cool, even incorporating the sunroof into the final design.

Gallery: MINI Rickshaws


[Source: China Car Times]

MINI Clubman Rickshaws running around Beijing originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beijingbeijing 2008beijing miniBeijing2008BeijingMinimini clubmanmini rickshawMiniClubmanMiniRickshawpedicabrickshawFri, 08 Aug 2008 12:59:00 EST