Three-wheeled eRinGo car concept: no thanks

It's hard to hold the designers of concept cars accountable -- so few ever come close to seeing the light of day, and they are, after all -- concepts. That said, the eRinGo car is one design we seriously hope never comes to fruition. A two-seater that's capable of converting back and forth between one and three-wheeled driving, depending on the curves of the road ahead, the eRinGo looks like a half-crushed can of Heineken. Not a good thing, in our opinion. That said, we like the two steering wheel concept -- wherein the passenger on either side can take over driving duties -- great if your friends are the agreeable sort willing to hand over the keys at any moment. There isn't much more meat as to how this dude would work, but that's what your imagination is for, right? There's one more shot of this bad, bad boy after the break.

[Andrew U Posted Oct 21st 2009 2:08PM]

I thought it said "Gringo" at first.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 21st 2009 1:25PM]

how can it stay stable if there is only one person in it? and how do you see out of it?

[Samurai Jack Posted Oct 21st 2009 1:34PM]

eRinGo? Bah! Let's go have another beer. Can it be green this time?

[CajunItalian Posted Oct 21st 2009 1:36PM]

wait..what the?

[Slick Posted Oct 21st 2009 1:37PM]

As a Mechanical Engineering student, I like it.

Low drag, tilt turning for better cornering, round shapes are generally aerodynamic, and its just neat.

Sign me up as a product tester!

[oneleggedchewbacca Posted Oct 21st 2009 2:10PM]

As a Mechanical Engineering Student, maybe you could help us:
Wouldn't the turn radius be rather fixed?
And wouldn't successfully navigating a low-speed corner, or parking spot require some pretty precise calculations?
Maybe the outer wheels can raise or lower as needed?

[BigD145 Posted Oct 21st 2009 3:36PM]

For parallel parking, you could probably pull in perpendicular to the curb and just get out and push it so it's parallel.

[Slick Posted Oct 21st 2009 4:28PM]

Well 1, I am assuming that can tilt from the center wheel to the outer wheels, so then you would have to point of contact. Then, depending on the turn radius you are attempting, just like in your car now, one wheel will spin faster than the other.

Ever make a really sharp turn on a lawn mower? If you watch the inside wheel it spins way slower than the outside wheel, effectively becoming a pivot point. If anything, this should turn on a dime.

--Purely Speculation--

[Slick Posted Oct 21st 2009 4:29PM]

two points of contact*

Damn you lack of Engadget edit system.

[Slick Posted Oct 21st 2009 4:49PM]

Yea it definitely tilts, check the Read Link

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 21st 2009 1:39PM]

What would happen in an accident? I mean, a giant wheel spinning at even just 40mph hitting something. Just saying...

[Faceless Troll Posted Oct 21st 2009 1:55PM]

I'm not sure what's with the hate. Change the paint job from that nasty green and it looks like it'd be pretty neat to drive.

[ecobore Posted Oct 21st 2009 2:00PM]

eRingo, I can't see much out of the windows. It was better in the yellow submarine Paul, Get John to drill some bigger holes with Yoko's ego ray!

[Loftwyr Posted Oct 21st 2009 2:02PM]

What do you do when it rains and stars blowing in through the "door"?

[esarphie Posted Oct 21st 2009 2:36PM]

Short answer: you get wet.

Even on a dry day, moving too quickly, or having a brisk wind blowing in the wrong direction would cause a cavatation-like effect, painfully thumping you deaf.

What I'd REALLY like to see is the first person to stomp on the brakes, have it lock up, and go rolling head over heels without stopping at all!

[philds391 Posted Oct 21st 2009 2:19PM]

Can you order a model that dosent need to go in and out of your ass or is that required?

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 21st 2009 5:48PM]

How do you see where your going?

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 21st 2009 2:50PM]

Let's see. No traction and braking as you get with a typical four wheeled vehicle, and being folded like origami when involved in an accident. Great idea!

[grubish Posted Oct 21st 2009 3:40PM]

Is this not the most unsafe machine ever. If I get it up to 70Mph and slam on the breaks, there is no way to stop it from tumbling. So incredibly asinine, I want one. Even small speeds would see the thing roll over when breaking hard.

[Shigawire Posted Oct 21st 2009 3:46PM]

I don't get what is so terribly lame about this, other than the color. You guys are all just dogging it because the Engadget poster did. If he said it was super duper, you'd be talking about how cool it is. Sheep.

[GreenElf Posted Oct 21st 2009 3:58PM]

How would you see where you are going? Do you have to stick your head out like a dog?

[tomsomething Posted Oct 21st 2009 4:15PM]

I get it: "eRinGo" = "Ergo, Ni!"

Yes?

[Blacknimbus Posted Oct 21st 2009 4:40PM]

http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-18-most-hilarious-modes-of-transport/

More than a few examples of this sort of thing.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 21st 2009 4:52PM]

That thing will be badass. I do not understand peoples obsession with image. Pride and ego is what destroys new better technology. Why do you obsess about being socially accepted when it comes to transportation?

[derrill Posted Oct 21st 2009 7:18PM]

Hmm, looks kinda fun actually.

[BoullionCube Posted Oct 21st 2009 9:17PM]

Does it play mp3s?

[besi Posted Oct 21st 2009 11:44PM]

heineken on wheels,cool!

[kingu Posted Oct 23rd 2009 4:38AM]

100" rim, thats how I roll.