Opel's E-Flex Concept vehicle packs and charges a pair of Segways

Yeah, you read that right. What better way to deck out your plug-in hybrid concept mini-mini-van but to include charging bays for a product that flopped three years ago? That seems to be Opel's strategy with the new E-Flex, which runs on diesel, plugs into a wall, and wastes immense amounts of space toting around and charging a pair of Segways in back. Sheer idiocy -- so why do we want one so badly?

[Thanks, Brian]

[Zorque @ Sep 7th 2007 10:48PM]

Why use a Segway if you have a car? Do we need to drive to work, get out, get on our Segways, and roll the 50 feet to the door?

[Dan @ Sep 7th 2007 11:25PM]

What ever happened to wheelchairs?

[beefy @ Sep 9th 2007 8:39PM]

Why use a segway when you can WALK??? Far more energy efficient too..

[turb0d00d @ Sep 7th 2007 10:48PM]

because no matter how badly the segway flopped, we all know that we secretly want one

[Javi0084 @ Sep 7th 2007 10:57PM]

Now you can't parallel park.

[JohnTitor @ Sep 7th 2007 11:01PM]

how about mounting the segway perpendicular to car, and when parking bring the wheels down and rolling. Parallel Parking for dummies

[Fred @ Sep 7th 2007 11:05PM]

Looks like the Volvo concept from last year

[Traldan @ Sep 7th 2007 11:07PM]

Dodge Razor anyone?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Razor

[Mike D @ Sep 7th 2007 11:42PM]

uhhh.. no?

[stickboyss91 @ Sep 7th 2007 11:14PM]

hmmm

[Bobo @ Sep 7th 2007 11:18PM]

Please make me even fatter.

[T @ Sep 7th 2007 11:28PM]

Come on! It's junk foods in your mouth and V6 SUV under you ass making you fatter! Why are ppl so close-minded with a piece of creative concept?

[T @ Sep 7th 2007 11:20PM]

This is not the first time major car manufactures approaching to Segway for concept cars.

http://www.bertone.it/en/birusa_contenuti_en.htm

[Trevor @ Sep 7th 2007 11:20PM]

And the best part is, if the ladies are on the fence about you, even after you tell them you drive a plug-in mini-van. Busting out the two segways you've been charging in back should be just enough to guarantee you die alone.

[The Steven @ Sep 7th 2007 11:24PM]

Back in the '70's (yeah, I'm an O.F.) I had a book about concept cars that never made it to production... It made mention of a Ford "station wagon", more of a hatchback in todays parlence, that when you opened the hatch, two modules slid out and could be converted into shopping carts... Yeah, just what the modern housewife needed way back when...

[Lance @ Sep 7th 2007 11:40PM]

LOL Segways are so gay, yet this concept seems cool.

[waiownsyou @ Sep 7th 2007 11:42PM]

That guy in the red shirt looks like he just murdered the original car owner and stealing the Segway so he can resell on eBay

[Billies @ Sep 7th 2007 11:55PM]

Maby he gave him the segway when it came out, and he died of a massive heartattack because he seged his way to the front door, kitchen, and stright to the twinkies.

[DarkAardvark @ Sep 8th 2007 12:07AM]

hopefully opel makes this really efficient. they had a sports car that ran on bio diesel. at an average speed of 120, it got 180 (i belive?) mp/g. correct me if im wrong, plox.

[Stew @ Sep 8th 2007 12:11AM]

Boy Engadget. Why harp on Segways so often?
The people need a green transporter and all you can do is throw about comments like dorky, lazy.
You run a site devoted to high tech but spend too much time dissin Dean Kamens wonderfull machine.

A testimonial by the WOZ here:

http://www.segwaytoday.net/SegwayToday/Why_I_Glide/Entries/2007/8/27_Steve_Wozniak_from_Los_Gatos%2C_California.html

[Chuck Cooper @ Sep 8th 2007 12:45AM]

Ummm....

Don't diss the Segway unless you have spent a day on one. They are great for the 12 mile round trip commute, much like a Jetson hover craft. If they were just half the price.

Ummmmmm.... :-)

[Clonester @ Sep 8th 2007 12:47AM]

A workmate recently went to Paris and showed me pictures yesterday. The parking spots were for subcompacts only and you only had a few inches of room in front and behind. But some of the city had next to no parking so you had to park away from where you want to go and take public transportation or rent a scooter to take you the rest of the way there.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/71845381@N00/428632778/

So I understand this concept for parts of Europe (where the Opel brand is sold, Saturn rebranding aside). It obviously wouldn't make sense in the US or Canada.

[Grandalf @ Sep 8th 2007 5:07AM]

That's great and all. But how on earth are they supposed to get out those two segway's when your car and the car behind, are bumper rubbing?

[Clonester @ Sep 8th 2007 2:02PM]

Good point. No idea.

[cmonkey @ Sep 8th 2007 11:51PM]

Like Dean Said, cars weren't made to parallel park.... park somewhere away from the lame spots and glide the last mile, it only takes five minutes!
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/9
I actually look forward to my commutes to downtown! My car stays at home; I glide to the train station, take a 45 min trip free of morons and road rage, then glide to my customers. Last time I went, I didn't have to pay $35 for parking! As a concept, I think it has merit. Not everyone lives close to public transit. I really enjoy having the Segway as an alternative.

[TIMMAH! @ Sep 8th 2007 1:44AM]

Can we get the charging and working of the primary vehicle done first please?

[Bad Beaver @ Sep 8th 2007 9:03AM]

Bah, Opel and their pathetic attempts at changing their image. I would not be caught dead in one. Or, to be more precise, the only Opel I would lay my money down for has LOTUS written on it.

[mr friggles @ Sep 8th 2007 9:49AM]

WoW.

Here in America they keep trying to scares us saying if you make the cars electric they will all be small, tiny, death traps. But in Europe where they love small cars they come out with a huge electric that wastes space?

Somebody deliberately wants this to flop! I blame the oil companies! f*ck em!

[Jekko @ Sep 8th 2007 10:18AM]

While it looks like a stupid idea at first, if you had serious car trouble on a highway, it may be helpful to have a Segway. Normally, you'd have to walk to the next exit for help -- with this you'd have a backup form of transportation. Just a thought anyway.

[Mr. Yetti @ Sep 13th 2007 5:30PM]

If someone saw you cruising down the shoulder on a Segway, you know they'd run you over on purpose.

[Bob @ Sep 8th 2007 1:45PM]

See http://www.gm-volt.com for all things related to the Chevy Volt

[Generic @ Sep 8th 2007 2:26PM]

it looks cool, meaning thats enough for it to be a concept car, even if it never rolls down the street