There's something to be said about a car that gets 100 miles per gallon and floats. We're still trying to figure out what exactly that phrase is, but we're certain something has to be exclaimed. Designer Lon Ballard has concocted the, um, object you see above, which is actually an automobile modeled after Crocs and built almost entirely from foam. In fact, 90 percent of the Spira's makeup is foam, which doesn't exactly give us loads of confidence about its ability to withstand major (or minor, really) impacts on the American freeway. At any rate, this 302 pound automobile -- which can hit a top speed of 70mph via a 100cc engine -- is expected to make a literal splash in the Progressive Automotive X Prize, though we kind of doubt you'll ever see this thing mass produced in its existing form. Have a look at a pretty ridiculous video just past the break to see what kind of fun we're all missing out on.
Of all the tiny, fuel effecient cars that people have come up with, this one rates highest on my 'death trap-o-meter'. Let's be honest, a Smart Car would destroy that thing.
I actually like this concept. Foam is lightweight and relatively inexpensive. I'd guess the structural members are made from something stiffer, perhaps foam layered with fiberglass or some other composite material.
I don't like the shape though, it doesn't look very aerodynamic. With molded foam, they should be able to make a more streamlined shape just as easily. Here's a good example of a foam streamliner (though this one has a metal frame inside):
I'd like to see it race against a professional cyclist piloting a velomobile. Knowing that the velomobile has set speed records of 81 mph, I'd put my money on the human powered Velomobile over this little gas hog.
I love my velomobile, but I don't think it can beat the Spira in a race. The 100cc engine can probably produce about 4kW of power - that's about 10 times more than a professional cyclist can average.
There's no way any velomobile can hit 70mph on a flat road. A velomobile is a streamlined vehicle for practical street use. The 81mph record was achieved on a streamliner specially built for a record attempt; it couldn't even start or stop without help.
I don't think you should be able to take a stock chinese scooter than already gets over 100 mpg, add a third wheel and a foam body and enter it into a competition where you can be awarded a lot of money.
Looks like they are messing around and video taped it.
They took a go-cart and added a foam body around it. Isn't the X-Prize about innovation and advancement?
This to me seems LESS environmentally sound. Come on - Styrofoam? Or did he at least make it out of some Corn-starch based foam or something.
Other than the fact that it looks Fugly - did they at elast make it out of hardened reinforced foam like bicycle helmets?
This doesn't appease to me - and I'm not typically of the tree-hugger mentality - but damn - at least make a reasonable attempt if you're going to make an attempt at all.
Umm... In order to qualify for the X-Prize it must have 4 wheels and seat 4. I think it comes up a bit short, love the material usage though. It's like Saturn's Plastic body paneling.
2 layers or more of fiberglass are sandwiched inside the foam for stength and safety. The foam absorbs energy in a crash while the fiberglass is stronger than steel. If you look inside your car’s bumper you will probably see foam. Having foam on the outside protects pedestrians and keeps the fiberglass and metal from turning to shrapel. Lon Ballard - http://www.spira4u.com inventor
I hope there isn't any cross winds when that things cruising at 70mph... just saying... :(
I wonder how aerodynamic that thing is, looks decently so, but with such power/weight, air friction is what's going to kill it's top speed/fuel economy. I wonder if they painted it with some low friction paint (probably not since it would erode the foam ;) ;) )
Some people say a 100cc motorcycle could do better, perhaps 0-60, but motorcycles really aren't that aerodynamic if you look into it.
I would TOTALLY BUY THIS! I live on the coastline... so if there was a traffic jam on the only bridge across the river within 50 miles I can just drive right into the water :D
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posted May 15th 2009 11:17AM
This doesn't look nearly as stupid as crocs do.
That isn't a particularly high standard.
Of all the tiny, fuel effecient cars that people have come up with, this one rates highest on my 'death trap-o-meter'. Let's be honest, a Smart Car would destroy that thing.
A kid toys TONKA truck would destroy that thing...
I think his wheeled coffin looks fairly stupid by itself, the crocs are just icing.
I predict this thing is in a ditch after the first crosswind.
Wow, a kid on a Big Wheel could cause that vehicle some major damage if the two were to collide.
If everyone drove them, we'd just bounce off each other, maybe? Maybe not. Nerfmobiles!
@Pat Gainer -
That's the best idea i've heard yet - Nerf Mobiles!
Now all we need is for hasbro to get together with GM - it might help them out of their pending bankruptcy.
i'd rather drive something like this instead:
http://static.bowenwang.com.cn/gif/harley-first.jpg
Isn't this really just an enclosed motorcycle? It has three wheels, and of course the motorcycle rules allow for no crash protection etc.
i wish! sadly, no. a motorcycle with a 100cc engine could do about double this speed and is just about as heavy. this thing is just sad and lame.
He could get a manufacturing partnership with Little Tikes. Same colors, too.
What's the insulating R-factor of the foam?
YES! I've always wanted to drive around in a Twinkie!!!
Tell 'em about the Twinkie...
Great. soon we will be buying cars in different categories of sizes.
I actually like this concept. Foam is lightweight and relatively inexpensive. I'd guess the structural members are made from something stiffer, perhaps foam layered with fiberglass or some other composite material.
I don't like the shape though, it doesn't look very aerodynamic. With molded foam, they should be able to make a more streamlined shape just as easily. Here's a good example of a foam streamliner (though this one has a metal frame inside):
http://www.recumbents.com/MARS/pages/proj/tetz/VFS/projtetzVFS12finished.html
Um, poo floats too...just sayin'.
Kind of reminds me of the ambiguous gay duo car with erectile dysfunction... lol
That was a lame attempt at being funny! Oh well.
@Tohe
Chris was referencing an animated sketch from Saturday Night Live.
THIS... IS... SPIRA!!!!!!!!
Looks better than a Prius or Insight.
Nerf Car
Made of foam...hmm maybe it will bounce in an accident. Now if they could only implement that liquid foam stuff they had in Demolition Man!
I love that tinfoil steering wheel!
If you were to spill gas on it while fueling it up you would make napalm.
Looks like a velomobile!
I'd like to see it race against a professional cyclist piloting a velomobile. Knowing that the velomobile has set speed records of 81 mph, I'd put my money on the human powered Velomobile over this little gas hog.
I love my velomobile, but I don't think it can beat the Spira in a race. The 100cc engine can probably produce about 4kW of power - that's about 10 times more than a professional cyclist can average.
There's no way any velomobile can hit 70mph on a flat road. A velomobile is a streamlined vehicle for practical street use. The 81mph record was achieved on a streamliner specially built for a record attempt; it couldn't even start or stop without help.
I don't think you should be able to take a stock chinese scooter than already gets over 100 mpg, add a third wheel and a foam body and enter it into a competition where you can be awarded a lot of money.
Are they serious?
Looks like they are messing around and video taped it.
They took a go-cart and added a foam body around it. Isn't the X-Prize about innovation and advancement?
This to me seems LESS environmentally sound. Come on - Styrofoam? Or did he at least make it out of some Corn-starch based foam or something.
Other than the fact that it looks Fugly - did they at elast make it out of hardened reinforced foam like bicycle helmets?
This doesn't appease to me - and I'm not typically of the tree-hugger mentality - but damn - at least make a reasonable attempt if you're going to make an attempt at all.
Umm... In order to qualify for the X-Prize it must have 4 wheels and seat 4. I think it comes up a bit short, love the material usage though. It's like Saturn's Plastic body paneling.
Damn, an Escalade could hit this thing and not even know it.
Kinda reminds me of wheeljacks cybertronian form
http://transformers.wikicomplete.info/g1:wheeljack
Awesome, not only it does great MPGs it will also be a winner at the beach as a beer cooler.
Yeah, check out the sweet drifting.
2 layers or more of fiberglass are sandwiched inside the foam for stength and safety. The foam absorbs energy in a crash while the fiberglass is stronger than steel. If you look inside your car’s bumper you will probably see foam. Having foam on the outside protects pedestrians and keeps the fiberglass and metal from turning to shrapel.
Lon Ballard - http://www.spira4u.com inventor
I hope there isn't any cross winds when that things cruising at 70mph... just saying... :(
I wonder how aerodynamic that thing is, looks decently so, but with such power/weight, air friction is what's going to kill it's top speed/fuel economy. I wonder if they painted it with some low friction paint (probably not since it would erode the foam ;) ;) )
Some people say a 100cc motorcycle could do better, perhaps 0-60, but motorcycles really aren't that aerodynamic if you look into it.
THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO!!!
I would TOTALLY BUY THIS! I live on the coastline... so if there was a traffic jam on the only bridge across the river within 50 miles I can just drive right into the water :D