Transeum – Page 16 – Transeum – the blog about Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Toyota A-Bat

January 21, 2008January 17, 2008 by Rocky

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Toyota have a very interesting concept vehicle on their stand at the Detroit motorshow this week, the A-bat, it is part pick up truck and part car. The vehcile featues a lot of recyclable materials including metals and wood. The seats, center console and dashboard use both carbon fiber and aluminum, while the door trim, armrests and seat cushions are made of a tough light weight materials. A-BAT also uses a Hybrid Synergy Drive system similar to what Toyota use in its Highlander vehicle. One interesting feature is solar panels built into the dash which charge a removable power pack which can run AC/DC power.

Suzuki X-Head Concept

January 20, 2008January 17, 2008 by Rocky

This one looks straight out of the Pixar Disney move Cars, the nearly comical and almost Tonka Truck, Suzuki X-Head Concept is the star attraction on the Suzuki stand at this years Detroit Motor Show. This little pickup is meant to have the toughness of the popular Jimny and the load carrying capacity of the Carry. It’s part SUV and part Pickup truck and about the size of a wheelbarrow with a wheelbase of only 93 inches and very little overhang. The car was first shown at the Tokyo Motor Show a few months back and got rave reviews. There are some very interesting and clever compartments and options designed for this vehicle and lets hop Suzuki get to work and bring something like this to the market, it will make motoring much more fun.

Saturn Flextreme Concept

January 19, 2008January 17, 2008 by Rocky

The Saturn Flextreme Concept continues our week of Detroit Motor Show features. This clever and rather weird looking car is a little sister to the Opel Flextreme car shown at Frankfurt a few weeks back. The Saturn car has a lithium-ion battery eclectic motor which can drive for about 34 miles and a diesel engine which can power recharge the battery when necessary, or be recharged via the powerpoint in about 3 hours. Saturn have stated at the launch of this vehicle the front of the vehicle in particular the lights and grille use styling cues of the future Saturn look- which will be quiet striking. Probably the most interesting and weird idea in this concept is the addition of two Segways stowed under the cargo floor, we really don’t know why, must be there just incase the battery goes flat?

Chrysler ecoVoyager

January 18, 2008January 17, 2008 by Wattsy

Chrysler has an interesting concept vehicle on show at the Detroit Motor Show, and full of style and cutting edge technology with the ecoVoyager. The futuristic looking vehicle as the name might suggest is environmental friendly with lithium -ion battery pack and also a fuel cell and some very clever interior packaging. The car has been cleverly designed for the family as a practical and functional recreation vehicle. The 268 horsepower electric motor powers the front wheel drive car and is designed to run about 40 miles without a recharge. Brakes help recharge the battery and for longer trip the fuel cell kicks in and gives approx 400 miles with hydrogen tanks under the cargo bay, and the only thing that comes out of the tailpipe is fresh water. The interior features high levels of luxury with full leather and cherry wood inserts. The chairs look like what you would expect on a private jet.

Jaguar E Type

January 17, 2008January 13, 2008 by Rocky

The E Type Jaguar revolutionised sports car design when it was first launched in 1961. It had magnificent performance, handling and looks and was way ahead of its time. Enzo Ferrari is quoted as saying it was” The most beautiful car ever made”. and has headed many lists of the 60’s best sportscar.

This lovely 1967 example was photographed at the Toyota Megaweb classic car collection in Odaiba, Tokyo. The Toyota History Garage is part of Toyota’s Megaweb car fun park. The History Garage contains all the cars that shaped car history from this Jag to the Delorean and Huge Caddys to microcars. All the cars are really well presented, there is also a huge Toyota showroom displaying everything from Toyota Japan’s Range.

Toyota’s I-Unit

January 16, 2008January 13, 2008 by Rocky

The Toyota I-Unit is a ultra compact single seater vehicle which was a cross between a motorcycle and a car, looking a lot like a exoskeleton. The vehicle had adapted shape depending on speed. At low speeds around cities the vehicle was more upright so you were similar height to pedestrians. At higher speeds the pod would lay back giving a more aerodynamic appearance and a much lower centre of gravity. Weighing in at only 180 kilograms the vehicle ran on lithium ion batteries with the rear wheels being run by electric motors. The vehicle was controlled by two joystick devices using drive by wire technology, and an intelligent transport system (ITS) was used so the vehicles could talk to other forms of transport and road markers. One interesting feature was mood lighting, the pod’s led technology would change colour depending on the drivers mood. Toyota has stated that it may launch a similar vehicle in years to come- at the moment it is just a working show car.

Nissan Gallery Ginza

January 15, 2008January 13, 2008 by Rocky

Right in the heart of Tokyo‘s prestige shopping strip- Ginza is the Nissan Ginza Gallery. In a shopping district home to the world’s finest fashion, jewelry and style the Nissan Gallery has a small showcase of vehicles which look like expensive gems or jewels. The showroom is open to the public and free, it is only small but usually houses a few classic vehicle like this lovely Datsun sports car, some futuristic vehicle straight out of the latest motorshow and a few of the company’s new models. There are some lovely artwork and small displays along with a Nissan merchandise counter. The centre also has a play area for the young one, with colouring and block building. The Nissan Tokyo head office is above the display centre. Well worth a visit for anyone visiting Tokyo.

Intelligent Multi-mode Transport System

January 14, 2008January 13, 2008 by Rocky

The last World Expo was held in Nagoya, Japan and for the event which attracted over 24 million visitors Toyota developed the Intelligent Multi-mode Transport System or IMTS bus line. Which circled the huge park. The bus was not manned and was controlled completely by computers, driving, stopping and operating all by technology. The vehicle operated on a dedicated road which had special magnetic markers in the pavement which steered the bus along with other special sensors including automatic braking control by means of inter-vehicle communications, ground signal units, and other devices. The body of the bus was also high tech using light weight carbon composite monocoque for the body. The vehicles were powered by natural gas (CNG) offering low emissions compared to normal forms of transport. There were 13 vehicles circling the park and the average speed was about 20 km per hour, moving some 18000 people per day. IMTS vehicles are steered and controlled by magnetic markers imbedded in the middle of the dedicated road. High levels of safety and dependability are assured by the automatic speed control and braking functions resting on inter-vehicle communications, ground signal units, and other such devices.