Trikes for everyone!

[Zapf]

http://www.newscientisttech.com/article/dn9053

http://www.clever-project.net/

A three-wheeled, gas-powered vehicle that could reduce city pollution and traffic congestion was unveiled by UK engineers on Monday.

Three metres long and 1 m wide, the vehicle has been jointly developed by researchers from nine different European countries, including experts from BMW. It was funded through an £1.5 ($2.7) million EU project called Compact Low Emission Vehicle for Urban Transport Vehicle (CLEVER).

The cabin of the CLEVER has space for a driver and one passenger behind them. As the front wheel turns, two computer-controlled hydraulic actuators tilt the cabin up to 45° degrees left or right, altering its centre of gravity and keeping it from tipping over. The same approach has been used in several previous prototype vehicles developed by BMW, General Motors and Honda.

Lower emissions
The vehicle, which has a top speed of 100 kilometres (60 miles) per hour, is powered by a one-cylinder, 230cc engine that runs on compressed natural gas and which produces 60 grams of carbon dioxide emissions per kilometre.

By contrast, the least polluting petrol vehicles – including electro-petrol hybrids like the Toyota Prius – emit around 100 grams of CO2 per kilometre. The worst polluting petrol cars generate more than 400 grams per kilometre.

"It costs less to run, is quieter and is less polluting, and this will make it popular with environmentalists," says Jos Darling from the Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath, who was involved with the project. "Making our vehicles smaller is a good solution to the relentless increase in traffic in our towns and cities."

Head-on collision
Both driver and passenger are protected inside the cabin by a strengthened aluminium safety frame. Although actually classified as a motorcycle, the frame makes it as safe as a small car, its creators claim.

In the event of a head-on collision, the vehicle's front wheel and axel are designed to crumple to protect the driver from harm. Several clips of the vehicle being crash-tested can be viewed on the CLEVER project website.

The next prototype of the CLEVER vehicle will be developed in 2007 and, if it goes into production, the three-wheeler is expected to cost around £6500 ($11,500).

[Karma]

Interesting concept. Wouldn't want to sit in the back though...

[Bob]

Funny how this keeps popping up. I found something a while back, only to be told I'd aleady been beaten to the punch... and then someone else pointed out that the Dutch had done something very similar a couple of years earlier!

Have a look at the following (and especially the links within) for more info:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ghlight=clever

[Zapf]

Funny how this keeps popping up. I found something a while back, only to be told I'd aleady been beaten to the punch... and then someone else pointed out that the Dutch had done something very similar a couple of years earlier!

Have a look at the following (and especially the links within) for more info:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ghlight=clever

heck! the Carver is COOL. I want one! ermm its a TURBO too! OUCH... 30k euro

[James Deuce]

Trikes can go in the same orifice I wedge every hybrid I see.

If it doesn't burn dinosaurs, and only dinosaurs, it's crap.

If it has more than two wheels and the marketing crap that goes with it even mentions, or much worse, compares it with motorcycles then the Designer can kiss my shiny metal butt. After I've snapped his puny spine in two and snapped his thick framed, thick lensed glasses and shoved them up his nostrils.

Trikes aren't motorcycles. Go lanesplit on one and see how far you get.

[Motu]

You can spend your life on a motorcycle lanesplitting - I won't....I'll spend my time riding on roads this machine will be totaly lost on.If I had a 6 door garage and enough time to play with toys I'd have one for sure.

[James Deuce]

Speed and lanesplitting do NOT go together. Traffic hits 40-50k and I'm back in that lane thanks.

[Mental Trousers]

Those are the sort of vehicle that can get people out of cars and onto bikes. They're a stepping stone. People can use them as their daily commuter, get used to leaning around corners and feel odd in a car, then go and try a bike and they're already part way there. They won't feel so out of place or exposed because they're on a vehicle that tilts and is also very small amongst large, overwieght p.o.s (ie cars).

[James Deuce]

They won't feel so out of place or exposed because they're on a vehicle that tilts and is also very small amongst large, overwieght p.o.s (ie cars).

These trikes are just overweight, overly complex pieces of shit that will convince the "users" that they don't want a bike the first time a small truck reverses over them.

[Steam]

Didn't I see this on Top Gear a couple of years ago? The short guy was driving it.