Team hopes to build 200 eight-wheeled Eliica electric cars

Dr. Hiroshi Shimizu of Tokyo's Keio University has been working on his Eliica eight-wheeled electric car since 2003, but the Japanese government's interest in fuel-efficient vehicles has rekindled his efforts, and he's currently, um... on a roll. The current Eliicas, of which there are currently two, run on lithium-ion batteries and each wheel is driven by a 60 kilowatt engine. The auto's got a top speed of 230 miles per hour, and Shimizu's group of engineering students eventually hope to reach 250 miles per hour with new models. The team is currently trying to raise a bunch of money to build 200 of these, which cost somewhere in the realm of $255,000 each. We wish them luck in their endeavors, but can't imagine Syd Mead's going to be pleased there's another futuristic-hearse designer entering the market.

[Via AutoblogGreen]

[EI8HT @ Dec 30th 2008 6:46AM]

how much more for the fuzzy dice?

[Gad Get @ Dec 30th 2008 6:54AM]

I saw a feature about this car on the Discovery Channel a few years back. Very cool, even if the styling is a bit... well, odd.

[Patriks7 @ Dec 30th 2008 6:56AM]

8 wheels? Really? They should've put 6 in the back and 2 in the front, would look better imo..

[John Doe @ Dec 30th 2008 9:06AM]

why 8?? aren't 4 wheels enough for an electric car?

[User7 @ Dec 30th 2008 1:29PM]

I guess it's because there is a motor for each wheel. 8 smaller motors must be better than 4 larger motors for that car.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Dec 30th 2008 1:47PM]

Eight wheels provide better handling. In the past, eight wheeled race cars were used from time to time and found to have performance advantages over four wheeled designs but such designs compromised speed by inducing more rolling resistance.

Eight wheels for an electric car might make a bit more sense than it does with gasoline, this is because each wheel can have a motor mounted in it, for even greater traction and acceleration when compared to a four wheel design.

[t-o89 @ Dec 30th 2008 4:29PM]

@john doe
the answer is no it is not enough

[Justin @ Dec 31st 2008 10:26PM]

Since they have the motor inside the wheel, which means more unsprung weight, it's better to divide it up across more wheels for a smoother and better handling ride. There is also more traction when accelerating and braking, which is a nice feature in a big, 230mph car.

[zomg0t @ Dec 30th 2008 6:57AM]

I just threw up a little in my mouth.

[Gad Get @ Dec 30th 2008 6:58AM]

Yeah? Well, I just threw up a little in my nose!

[Dave Chappelle @ Dec 30th 2008 8:02AM]

As usual with these next gen type vehicles that are all electric or hybrid it looks like Exxon was in complete charge of the design and they are quite happy with the design. Even though you are not, believe me.

[Lowest Ranked @ Dec 30th 2008 1:23PM]

Here's the Covini C6 to wash it all down: http://www.arabaruyasi.com/data/media/121/covini-c6-wheels-2006-1.jpg

[Aaron @ Dec 30th 2008 7:00AM]

2 words:

lol wut

[Kris120890 @ Dec 30th 2008 7:17AM]

Neither = Words.

[Aaron @ Dec 30th 2008 7:22AM]

Obviously!

[Derry Quinn @ Dec 30th 2008 10:49AM]

@Kris120890
Your equation makes no sense.

lol ≠ word
wut ≠ word
∴ (lol+wut) ∄ as a construction of (two words)

[B @ Dec 30th 2008 12:30PM]

Hey Derry, your name is stupid.

[Matthew C @ Dec 30th 2008 5:47PM]

Hey B - why dont you tell us your name.

[Vanamonde @ Dec 30th 2008 7:01AM]

Paint it pink and it wouldn't look out of place in a Thunderbirds episode.

[Cash @ Dec 30th 2008 8:15AM]

I was just thinking the same thing, and trying to remember the name of the chick and her butler.

[Baz @ Dec 30th 2008 8:48AM]

Lady Penelope, her butler/driver Parker and their pink Rolls-Royce (license #: FAB 1). Why I remember this is beyond me...

Meanwhile, I see more than a hint of the Citroen DS in the roofline and aft end of the thing.

[patsy @ Dec 30th 2008 8:49AM]

Paint it pink AND slap some Hello Kitty pictures on it and you might actually find some takers.

[Bjsfreaked @ Dec 30th 2008 9:29AM]

Damn - was hoping nobody else was gonna think that!!!

[grifmx @ Dec 30th 2008 11:26AM]

Lady Penelope was HOT!

[kal326 @ Dec 30th 2008 11:39AM]

Or paint it yellow and it looks like a stretched Johny Cab. Just missing the spinning robot driver, I wonder what Asimo is up too?

[Link2877 @ Dec 30th 2008 7:02AM]

Ahh why would I want to go 250 MPH, or is engadget just being stupid and 250 is the actually the range they hope to achieve?? (might want to fix that)

[wodheila @ Dec 30th 2008 7:09AM]

Agree. Other than a few highways in the west where the hell could you go 250MPH for any sustained period?

[Dave @ Dec 30th 2008 7:37AM]

if you check the read link it appears there going for a land speed record as well

[Level 5 @ Dec 30th 2008 7:04AM]

I'm no physics major, but isn't the usual goal to DECREASE weight and resistance? I'm sure they have a reason that 8 wheels benefits this design, anyone know what that could possibly be?

[Gad Get @ Dec 30th 2008 7:25AM]

My guess:

Put simply, better traction. Greater contact with the pavement enables you to more effectively apply power to the road. That would be particularly important because electric motors have incredible torque from 0 RPM up. And think about the drive layout of this beastie--eight wheels, each applying 80 hp to the asphalt, adds up to 640 hp in all! Try directing 640 hp and the torque that comes along with it through just two drive wheels, and you have all sorts of problems to deal with! (Although, on the plus side, it makes for great "donuts.")

[Scott K. @ Dec 30th 2008 7:51AM]

I think he's referring to the going wisdom that reducing rolling friction will increase efficiency, and range of the batteries

Who wants 640 horsepower if it can be used for 5 minutes at a time? As for the 100% torque from 0RPM, that's why they make rheostats.

[Mike C @ Dec 30th 2008 9:26AM]

There is another car with 2 wheels up front [the name escapes me, but the design is much sexier] and there are a number of advantages to having 2 sets of wheels up front from what I can remember.

1. Little chance of hydroplaning as the front wheels push water out of the way,
2. Shortened braking distance as you've got twice the amount of rubber and stopping power
3. I believe you would also have a tighter turning radius at higher speed due to the ability of the wheels to sustain more lateral g's

[Patrick Joseph @ Dec 30th 2008 7:07AM]

8 wheels and a body that looks like crap, all that for $255,000! damn! I wouldn't buy it for $255 it's so damn fugly.

[matt @ Dec 30th 2008 7:56AM]

You are fuzio 'the professional' and I claim my £5

[arash @ Dec 30th 2008 7:09AM]

thats exactly my next car!

[bdarma @ Dec 30th 2008 7:13AM]

8 wheels?

[htd @ Dec 30th 2008 7:13AM]

why 8 wheels?

[bkos @ Dec 30th 2008 8:41AM]

They probably have the engine given, which fits into the wheel. So if you need more power you need more engines. Still this is so stupid, anyone who is looking for such a car will never want to go 250 mph. Make one prototype for the speed-record and use the technology for normal four-wheel cars. I really don't get the idea behind this...

[Nickocosmic @ Dec 30th 2008 7:16AM]

well, this ruined my morning.

[Gad Get @ Dec 30th 2008 7:47AM]

Is it really that easy?

[zzz @ Dec 30th 2008 7:19AM]

If it can do 230, why is there an emphasis on doing 250?

[m1do @ Dec 30th 2008 7:21AM]

Man that's an ugly bitch!

[Boards of Canada @ Dec 30th 2008 7:26AM]

You guys nuts, you dont see the beauty in that bitch, 8 wheels goddess! and bravo for the classic weird design!

This is the golden age!

[sw @ Dec 30th 2008 7:58AM]

Homer wants his car nack

[EI8HT @ Dec 30th 2008 9:51AM]

he also wants you to spell 'back' right

[haX0r @ Dec 30th 2008 8:07AM]

If it goes 230 MPH and is electric, I'll take one regardless of looks.

Cars are not a status symbols.

[JStro @ Dec 30th 2008 10:04AM]

At $255,000 each, I would consider it a status symbols.

[inteller @ Dec 30th 2008 8:14AM]

when I first saw that I thought it said Celica and said "yep, Toyota WOULD do something like that".

[Qwain @ Jan 14th 2009 5:24AM]

I'm a Master Toyota Technician, and all I have to say is, Do you work for us?... 'cause that sure sounds like something ToYo would do. Stop letting out all the secrets!

[strider_mt2k @ Dec 30th 2008 8:31AM]

Thunderbirds are GO!