Honda has this week given its first US demonstration of its personal mobility concept, the U3-X.
First introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show last year, the U3-X uses Honda’s proprietary balance-control system and is controlled simply by shifting your body weight in the intended direction of travel.
The U3-X concept follows a similar theme to the GM Segway or Toyota i-REAL, but is far more compact in size weighing in at just 9.97 kilograms.
The one-wheeled U3-X features retractable footrests and a foldable seat and is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack that allows up to one hour of continuous operation. The U3-X is recharged via any regular domestic power outlet.
Movement is achieved in all directions via the use of a world-first omni-directional driving wheel system (Honda Omni Traction Drive System), as Honda’s explains:
“The system utilises a series of concentrically mounted wheels – a larger, forward and backward moving inner wheel and a series of smaller sideways moving outer wheels,
“Diagonal motion is achieved when both forward and sideways moving wheels operate in tandem.”
Honda says the U3-X’s compact size and one-wheel drive system will provide more user-friendly personal mobility in built-up areas when compared to its direct rivals. The U3-X is designed so its rider is close enough to reach the ground, but still at a similar eye-level to walking people.
The U3-X comes from a long lineage of robotic products with Honda’s research dating back as far as 1986. Honda’s first walking robot was introduced in 1999 when ASIMO (pictured below), the world’s most advanced bi-pedal humanoid robot was unveiled.
Honda hopes devices such as the U3-X concept as well as Honda’s Stride Management Assist and Bodyweight Support Assist walking assist devices will further advance human mobility through technological innovation.
Strong environmental credentials and sports cars don’t usually go hand in hand, but Lotus has set to change all that with its 2011 Elise model just certified with a CO2 emissions figure of 149g/km, a 16 per cent reduction over its predecessor, the Lotus Elise S.
The impressive new figure means the new 2011 Lotus Elise now has the lowest CO2 output for its performance level of any petrol-powered sportscar in the world. It also boasts impressive fuel consumption with a highway cycle figure of just 5.04L/100km.
But all this environmental credibility doesn’t mean the new Elise is a slouch in the performance stakes. With its improved aerodynamics (4 per cent better than the Lotus Elise S), lightweight 876kg body and punchy 1.6-litre VVT-I four-cylinder engine, the new 2011 Lotus Elise manages the 0-100km/h sprint in just 6.5 seconds.
The new Lotus Elise is priced from $69,990* and is available for pre-order now. Deliveries will commence mid-year.
Below is the new pricing structure for Lotus vehicles and options:
Lotus Elise: $69,990*
Lotus Elise Club Racer: $72,990*
Lotus Elsie R: $84,990*
Lotus Elise SC: $94,990*
Lotus Exige S: $104,990*
Lotus Exige S Type 72: $109,990*
Lotus Exige Cup 260: $129,990*
Lotus Exige Scura: $129,990*
Lotus 2-Eleven: $109,000*
Lotus Evora 2+0: $139,990*
Lotus Evora 2+2: $146,990*
Lotus Elise Touring Pack: $6,700*
Lotus Elise Sport Pack: $6,000*
Lotus Elise Lifestyle Paint: $3,000*
Lotus Exige S Performance Pack: $8,000*
Lotus Evora Tach Pack: $7,500*
Lotus Evora Premium Pack: $7,500*
Lotus Evora Forged Alloy Wheels: $5,200*
Lotus Evora Lifestyle Paint: $3,200*
*Pricing is a guide as recommended to us by the manufacturer and does not include dealer delivery, on-road and statutory charges.
Volkswagen will offer its Passat CC model with five seats (previously four), standard satellite navigation and touchscreen Bluetooth connectivity as standard equipment when the revised model goes on sale later this month in Europe and the UK.
The new features join an already generous standard feature list that includes six airbags, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, leather wrapped steering wheel, park brake lever and gear knob, plus 17-inch alloy wheels.
The Passat CC GT model adds leather upholstery, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC), heat insulated glass on the rear windows and 18-inch alloys.
Engine and transmission options remain unchanged.
Unfortunately, Australia will miss out on the five-seat variant with Volkswagen Australia General Manager of Press and Public Relations, Karl Gehling telling CarAdvice “Volkswagen has no plans to offer it in Australia”.
For now, we’ll just have to be content with the stunning four-seat version.
To celebrate its victory at the Mille Miglia 70 years ago, BMW will bring its 328 Mille Miglia Concept Coupé to Lake Como, Italy later this month for the annual Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.
The car, a modern-day replica of the original BMW 328 Kamm Coupé, a famous race car of the WWII era, marks a rebuilding effort that stretches back to the mid-1990s. BMW used documents from its own archives and private collectors to replicate the classic coupe. Computer aided calculations carried out in BMW’s development department and skilled body craftsmen were also employed in the development of the concept car.
The original BMW 328 Kamm Coupé was considered to be ahead of its time in the use lightweight construction techniques and aerodynamics.
“We are very proud to bring this milestone in motor racing history and vehicle aerodynamics back into the public spotlight,” said Karl Baumer, Director of BMW Group Classic, ahead of the world premiere of the racing car on Lake Como.
“Our tribute to the M1 at the Concorso two years ago showed how much inspiration the past can provide for the future. And the BMW 328 Kamm Coupé is an outstanding example of how far back the future at BMW stretches into the past.”
Following the 1940 race victory, BMW wished to preserve the cars from the growing devastation of the war, and relocated them from Munich to the relative safety of the German countryside. Its efforts were successful, and all five examples of the 328 Kamm Coupé survived the war unscathed.
Unfortunately, as the post-war years took their toll on the country, the collection of silver coupes was divided among buyers from all over the globe, with only one Kamm Coupé remaining in Germany. That car was acquired by former BMW Director of Racing, Ernst Loof for his personal use but was sold a few years later as he suffered dire financial difficulties. The car was destroyed in an accident involving its new owner in the early 1950s and sent to the scrapyard.
For Karl Baumer, the project has been an incredible challenge, one he hopes will be enjoyed by all when the car is unveiled at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in a few short weeks.
“We've come up against some major technical challenges, had many discussions and racked up countless hours of research, but when you see the car for the first time you can sense the passion and professionalism invested by all those involved – both all those years ago and today,” said Mr Baumer.
The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, one of the world’s most significant celebrations of historic cars, will be held in the grounds of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este by Lake Como, Italy from April 23 – 25.
The first photos and details of the Ferrari 599 GTO have today been released which Ferrari boasts as its “fastest road car ever”.
The exclusive limited edition special has been inspired by the Ferrari 599 production car but is in fact based on the 599XX – Ferrari’s advanced experimental track car.
A strictly limited run of just 599 examples of the Ferrari 599 GTO will be produced and demand is sure to exceed supply having set a lap time of one minute and 24 seconds at the Fiorano test circuit – slightly faster than the Ferrari Enzo and Ferrari 430 Scuderia.
The Ferrari 599 GTO uses a 6.0-litre V12 engine which churns out 500kW at 8250rpm and peak torque of 620Nm at 6500rpm, mated to a F1-style six-speed transmission resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of just 2.23 kg/hp.
But sheer power is only part of the equation, with Ferrari using the same principles it as employed in F1 to shed the dry weight of the car to just 1495kg.
The performance figures are equally astounding, launching from zero to 100km/h in just 3.35 seconds and on to a top speed of 335km/h.
The most significant innovation introduced with the Ferrari 599 GTO is the close correlation between the chassis set-up, which is close to the handling limit, and the input from the electronic controls which are developed to increase overall levels of performance.
Maranello's engineers also added new springs, a stiffer rear anti-roll and the second generation magnetorheological suspension control system (SCM2) – the result being an almost complete absence of understeer and a truly communicative chassis.
The Ferrari 599 GTO is equipped with the latest, second-generation carbon-ceramic brakes by Brembo which are lighter and offer better performance along with new aerodynamics and improved brake cooling.
It rides on specially designed Supersport tyres developed by Michelin measuring 9.5 inches at the front and 11.5 inches at the back – all of which forms a complete stopping package which sees the Ferrari 599 GTO brake from 100 to zero km/h in just 32.5 metres.
Like a true race car, the car-driver interface has been enhanced to deliver full control over the vehicles behaviour featuring a Virtual Race Engineer system that monitors the status of the car, with the in-car entertainment replaced by CT-Off (traction control off).
The public debut of the 599 GTO will instead be at the Beijing International Motor Show at the end of April.
The Bugatti Veyron has cemented its position as the world’s most desirable hypercar, but for those who can’t quite squeeze an extra few million dollars from the household budget this may be the next best thing.
While a Bugatti Veyron replica made from LEGO is mildly impressive, what makes this particular model newsworthy is that is features a folding hard-top roof, automated rear spoiler – and a seven-speed sequential transmission, with reverse.
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