First impression at Toyota Hi-CT car might not make you say “wow”, well we agree that the design is somehow not as stylish as we expect it. On the other hand, Toyota’s team of you Japanese and European designers claimed that Hi-CT is a reflection of what a cool and great vehicle should look like, they want to create something that make people stop and take a good look.
The Hi-CT is a plug-in hybrid with a 1.5L motor and uses lithium-ion batteries, which are located underneath the floor of the vehicle in order to maximize the interior space of the car. While it looks quite boxy and big, it is in fact quite small. The entire vehicle is 3.3 meters long, 1.6 meters wide and 1.7 meters high. It is, effectively, a cube on wheels. Due to the tiny size, it can only carry two persons. However, being a “lifestyle” car, there’s enough space inside it for everything that an active user or two could need. The rear trunk can be modified so that surfboards, bicycles and camping equipment can be carried around for those days where you need to get out to nature.
Looking at inside of the car, we might hear you say “wow” because of its futuristic design, the exterior now doesn’t seem to matter anymore.
Read the rest of this entry »
Suzuki has announced its hydrogen motorcycle concept at Tokyo Motor Show last November, and the good news is they are ready to put this unconventional motorcycle into production. The crosscage concept motorcycle is a fuel-cell motorcycle in which a simple, compact, lightweight air-cooled fuel-cell system and a high-performance secondary battery are brought together in a way that realizes optimal power control. A fuel-cell unit from British specialist company Intelligent Energy delivers quick activation with low fuel consumption, and a lithium-ion battery combines safety with a low environmental burden. The simplicity, compactness, and lightness of these technologies not only make the crosscage environment-friendly; they also helped enable sporty styling befitting the Suzuki name.
This motorcycle was developed in conjunction with British Intelligent Energy, which make this a great collaboration since British Intelligent has its own hydrogen generation plants. Energy has a portfolio that includes a range of world-class fuel cell, fuel processing, desulphurization and hydrogen generation technologies. The company�s existing home hydrogen generation system means you�ll be able to make your own hydrogen at home. So I guess this news means you will find this motorcycle in the nearest showroom somewhere near the future.
Read the rest of this entry »
Feeling religious ? This MP3 players made of a chromium-plated steel body frame. Using built-in rechargeable lithium battery (charging via USB) which can last till 13 hours playing your favorite music (MP3, WMA, OGG, ASF). The capacity of Saint B MP3 player is 1GB. Interested ? Check out their website for more info.
Read the rest of this entry »
Still in a form of concept, Lumeneo Smera is all electric city car with scooter sized and one seat only, well not actually one seat, but you have to choose to carry a passanger or luggage, you can’t have both. The ability to go 93 miles on a single charge and hit a top-speed of 80 miles per hour is really impressive. Acceleration is quite acceptable as well, with the 0-60 sprint taking only 8 seconds or so. A 144 volt lithium ion battery pack provides the juice. Lumeneo is planning to start selling Smera next year, but no one mentions anything about the price yet.
Designer : Lumeneo
What a luxurious crossover vehicle from Cadillac Provoq hydrogen fuel cell concept. With lithium-ion battery, cadillac provoq can achieve 300 mile range, 100 mph top-speed. Built on E-Flex system, cadillac provoq hydrogen fuel cell concept means using the same platform that brought us the electric Volt at the Detroit Show, Flextreme in Frakfurt.
The key features of this new cadillac provoq concept are (as written in the press release) :
With sleek, signature Cadillac bodywork, the Provoq concept redefines luxury crossovers, offering uncompromising passenger and cargo space to match its performance and cruising range. Additional vehicle features include:
1. Solar panel integrated in the roof to help power onboard accessories, such as the interior lights, audio system and more
2. Brake-by-wire technology
3. Front grille louvers that close at highway speed to enhance aerodynamics, and open at low speed to provide maximum cooling to the fuel cell stack
Read the rest of this entry »
