Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Inhabitat's Week in Green: 5 megawatt solar roof, driverless electric cars and ten of the world's craziest Christmas trees]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/11/inhabitats-week-in-green-5-megawatt-solar-roof-driverless-ele/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/11/inhabitats-week-in-green-5-megawatt-solar-roof-driverless-ele/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/11/inhabitats-week-in-green-5-megawatt-solar-roof-driverless-ele/#comments Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.
Solar-powered buildings heated up this week as Inhabitat reported that Apple will crown its new Cupertino headquarters with a 5 megawatt solar roof, and we took a peek inside a sun-powered prefab pod home set in the Italian Alps. We also showcased several fresh examples of wintry architecture this week as we brought you six amazing buildings made from ice and snow and we learned that BIG's waste-to-energy ski slope incinerator was scrapped due to environmental concerns. We also showcased an innovative shelf for interiors made from movable pins, a set of awesome night lights made from retrofitted vintage cameras, and since the holidays are on the way we shared a kit that will help you make your own geodesic gingerbread house!

Speaking of the holiday season, this week we rounded up the world's 10 craziest Christmas trees made from recycled objects, and we brought you photos of a massive luminous Xmas tree in Lithuania made from 40,000 plastic bottles. We also brought you a guide for making your own DIY terrarium Christmas ornaments, and if you're looking for cool techy gifts to stick beneath the tree you won't want to miss Theo Jansen's 3d-printed miniature Strandbeest wind walking robots and this fun wooden iPhone toy for tots.

In other news, eco transportation blasted off to the future as Zapata Racing unveiled a set of insane water-propelled rocket boots that will send you soaring like a superhero and Audi and BIG unveiled plans for a network of driverless electric cars and luminous high-tech roadways. We were also excited to announce that the Nissan Leaf was named Japan's Car of the Year at the Tokyo Motor Show, we saw Daimler unveil plans for a new E-Cell hybrid with inductive charging, and Smart shared a sneak peek of their upcoming "For-US" compact electric pickup truck.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: 5 megawatt solar roof, driverless electric cars and ten of the world's craziest Christmas trees originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 11 Dec 2011 20:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AppleAudiBIGDIYE-Cellelectric carelectric vehicleElectricCarElectricVehiclegreeninhabitatinhabitat.comNissanNissan leafNissanLeafrecycledsolar powerSolarPowersun-poweredthis week in greenThisWeekInGreenTokyo Motor showTokyoMotorShowSun, 11 Dec 2011 20:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Kobot personal EV concept collapses, lets Cat Woman park anywhere she wants (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/07/kobot-personal-ev-concept-collapses-lets-cat-woman-park-anywher/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/07/kobot-personal-ev-concept-collapses-lets-cat-woman-park-anywher/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/07/kobot-personal-ev-concept-collapses-lets-cat-woman-park-anywher/#comments Kobot EVs We've seen our fair share of folding cars, but here's where those concepts and the Kobot EVs differ -- these might actually come to market. These personal transportation vehicles are already far enough along to be rolling about the floor of the Tokyo Motor Show and Kowa Tmsuk (the joint venture between medical supply company Kowa and robot manufacturer Tmsuk) plan to have the first model out by fall of next year. There were three varieties on display at the show: the sporty, red Kobot ν (nyu) being ridden by Cat Woman in the photo above; the green Kobot β (beta), which collapses to just a 30-inch footprint (a tad under one foot); and the two person Kobot π. The electric "cars" shrink with the tap of a button on a smartphone, only have a top speed of 30 km/h (about 19MPH) and are intended for short urban jaunts where parking is at a premium. Check out the source for a bunch more photos and head after the break for a clip of the personal propulsion pods in action.

Continue reading Kobot personal EV concept collapses, lets Cat Woman park anywhere she wants (video)

Kobot personal EV concept collapses, lets Cat Woman park anywhere she wants (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carevfolding carFoldingCarkobotKobot βKobot νKobot πKobotΝKobotΠKobotΒKowaKowa TmsukKowa Tmsuk kobotKowaTmsukKowaTmsukKobotTmsukTokyo Motor ShowTokyo Motor Show 2011TokyoMotorShowTokyoMotorShow2011urban transportationUrbanTransportationvideoWed, 07 Dec 2011 14:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota Fun-Vii concept car envisions instantly customizable interior and exterior]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/toyota-fun-vii-concept-car-envisions-instantly-customizable-inte/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/toyota-fun-vii-concept-car-envisions-instantly-customizable-inte/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/toyota-fun-vii-concept-car-envisions-instantly-customizable-inte/#comments Look, the reality is that you can't drive your car into a Pay 'n' Spray every 15 minutes or so à la Grand Theft Auto, but what if you can simply change the vehicle's skin at the tap of a button? Toyota certainly likes the sound of that and has thus come up with the funky-looking Fun-Vii concept car. What's more, even the interior can be changed as well, and similarly it can be used as a display space for navigation or even racing simulation (assuming the latter's disabled while actually driving, of course). This is all good and well, but unlike many other concept exhibits we've seen, Toyota's mockup couldn't seat people -- we suspect the "car" only used a back projection from within, so we couldn't get to see what it'd feel like to play a Tron-like game inside the "car." Nevertheless, we look forward to day when this idea becomes a reality -- here's looking at you, flexible OLED! Video after the break.

Gallery: Toyota Fun-Vii eyes-on

Continue reading Toyota Fun-Vii concept car envisions instantly customizable interior and exterior

Toyota Fun-Vii concept car envisions instantly customizable interior and exterior originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appearancecarconceptconcept carConceptCarcustomcustomisabledoraemonexterioreyes-onfeaturedfeaturesFun-ViiGrand Theft Autohands-oninteriorjapanjean renoJeanRenoSci/Techtokyo motor showtokyo motor show 2011TokyoMotorShowTokyoMotorShow2011toyotatoyota Fun-ViiToyotaFun-viivideoThu, 01 Dec 2011 23:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota FCV-R concept brings fuel cell cars closer to reality, aiming for 2015 launch]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/toyota-fcv-r-concept-brings-fuel-cell-cars-closer-to-reality-ai/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/toyota-fcv-r-concept-brings-fuel-cell-cars-closer-to-reality-ai/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/toyota-fcv-r-concept-brings-fuel-cell-cars-closer-to-reality-ai/#comments Amongst the many concept EVs we've seen at the Tokyo Motor Show this week, Toyota thinks that fuel cell vehicles still have a chance. Hence the above cool-looking FCV-R, an actual functional hydrogen car featuring a multi-LCD panel dashboard along with a driving range of around 700km or 435 miles. Alas, interested buyers will have to wait until around 2015 before Toyota launches its first fuel cell car, which is currently projected to cost around $125,000. And of course, there's no saying on whether hydrogen fuel stations will be widely available across the nation by then. For now though, you can take a closer look at the FCV-R in our video after the break.

Gallery: Toyota FCV-R hands-on

Continue reading Toyota FCV-R concept brings fuel cell cars closer to reality, aiming for 2015 launch

Toyota FCV-R concept brings fuel cell cars closer to reality, aiming for 2015 launch originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fcv-rfeaturedfeaturesfuel cellFuelCellhands-onjapantokyo motor showtokyo motor show 2011TokyoMotorShowTokyoMotorShow2011Toyotatoyota fcv-rToyotaFcv-rvideoThu, 01 Dec 2011 20:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Daihatsu FC ShowCase concept: who doesn't want a 60-inch TV in a van?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/daihatsu-fc-showcase-concept-who-doesnt-want-a-60-inch-tv-in-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/daihatsu-fc-showcase-concept-who-doesnt-want-a-60-inch-tv-in-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/daihatsu-fc-showcase-concept-who-doesnt-want-a-60-inch-tv-in-a/#comments Here's a funny one from the Tokyo Motor Show. Daihatsu's squarish concept EV van, dubbed the FC ShowCase, is basically a spacious four-seater packing plenty of goodies: a giant wing door, some blue lights on the wheels, an LED panel on the left skirt, side-view cameras instead of mirrors, a funky touch panel steering wheel, a small heads-up display and a 60-inch TV. And no, this isn't a mod from Pimp My Ride. According to one of the designers, the idea here is that the FC ShowCase acts as a mobile theater, which can keep travellers entertained while camping or fishing. With the seats folded down (except for the driver's seat, of course) on top of the 35kW solid polymer fuel cell stack, this vehicle also makes a great delivery van apparently, but don't expect FedEx to turn up at your door with Daihatsu's dream ride any time soon. Or ever. Video after the break.

Gallery: Daihatsu FC ShowCase hands-on

Continue reading Daihatsu FC ShowCase concept: who doesn't want a 60-inch TV in a van?

Daihatsu FC ShowCase concept: who doesn't want a 60-inch TV in a van? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptconcept carConceptCarDaihatsuFC CaseFC Sho Casefc show casefc showcaseFcCaseFcShoCaseFcShowcasehands-onPMfLFCsolid fuel cellSolidFuelCelltokyo motor showtokyo motor show 2011TokyoMotorShowTokyoMotorShow2011videoThu, 01 Dec 2011 18:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Daihatsu Pico concept commuter EV hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/daihatsu-pico-concept-commuter-ev-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/daihatsu-pico-concept-commuter-ev-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/daihatsu-pico-concept-commuter-ev-hands-on/#comments Using LEDs to display messages on the back of a car? Looks like we have yet another contender with the same idea, except this time all four sides get an LED panel each. The idea behind Daihatsu's Pico concept EV is that it can interact with surrounding pedestrians and drivers using messages with matching colors. For instance, the LED belt can issue a red warning on the back if a car is following too closely; or when driving past pedestrians in close proximity (think rascal scooters but with front and back seats), the belt can turn green and indicate that the car's limited to a safe top speed of 3.7mph.

Other than that, the Pico's very much just a cute little EV with a driving range of up to 31 miles (with a full two-hour charge), plus a top speed of 31mph. We also dig the touchscreen console inside the car, but with just the two LED bars acting as doors, we sure hope it'll withstand a bit of rain. Video after the break.

Gallery: Daihatsu Pico hands-on

Continue reading Daihatsu Pico concept commuter EV hands-on

Daihatsu Pico concept commuter EV hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carcommuterconceptconcept carConceptCardaihatsudaihatsu picoDaihatsuPicoelectric carElectricCarevfeaturedfeatureshands-onjapanpicotokyo motor showtokyo motor show 2011TokyoMotorShowTokyoMotorShow2011vehiclevideoThu, 01 Dec 2011 13:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan demonstrates Leaf-powered Smart House, we go hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/nissan-demonstrates-leaf-powered-smart-house-we-go-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/nissan-demonstrates-leaf-powered-smart-house-we-go-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/nissan-demonstrates-leaf-powered-smart-house-we-go-hands-on/#comments Back in August, Nissan shared its vision of making its Leaf EV a secondary power source for houses, be it for emergency power outage or for powering lodges in the countryside. Here at the Tokyo Motor Show, we got to see a Smart House that demonstrates just that. To supply the electricity from the Leaf, Nissan uses a power control system box that can supply up to 6kW of power -- plenty of juice for this structure, which consumes about 1 to 2kW for its lights, fan, TV, clock, mini fridge and air conditioner. As for battery life, a Leaf can keep a typical Japanese household powered for about two days, and customers can pick up this power control system in around end of March next year (the retail version will be about half the size of the one pictured). Nissan also said potentially the Smart House can supply excess electricity back to the grid, though this isn't yet possible in Japan due to the lack of such service, which is understandable given the natural disasters earlier this year.

Additionally, it turns out that the Smart House can also power itself during sunny days using its solar panels on the top, and any remaining electricity is used to charge up the Leaf; so effectively the car is acting as a mobile battery for the house. But what if it's cloudy and the Leaf is out and about? Well, the fuel cells inside the Smart House's belly will keep your party going, so there's really nothing to worry about as long as you keep an eye on your propane level. Head past the break to watch Nissan's Shinsuke Suzuki switch the house off and on for us.

Gallery: Nissan Leaf Smart House hands-on

Continue reading Nissan demonstrates Leaf-powered Smart House, we go hands-on

Nissan demonstrates Leaf-powered Smart House, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleElectricVehicleevfeaturedfeatureshands-onleafnissanNissan LeafNissanLeafpcspower control systemPowerControlSystemShinsuke SuzukiShinsukeSuzukismart houseSmartHousetokyo motor showtokyo motor show 2011TokyoMotorShowTokyoMotorShow2011videoThu, 01 Dec 2011 11:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan Pivo 3 extreme agility concept EV hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/nissan-pivo-3-extreme-agility-concept-ev-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/nissan-pivo-3-extreme-agility-concept-ev-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/nissan-pivo-3-extreme-agility-concept-ev-hands-on/#comments Nope, there's nothing wrong with those wheels. As you may recall, this is Nissan's Pivo 3, the company's latest concept EV that provides extreme agility using its four oddly pivoted, individually powered wheels. While we couldn't see this three-seater make sharp U-turns and do automatic parking at the Tokyo Motor Show, our very own Zach Honig managed to get his finger and trouser grease all over it.

Behind those pop-out doors one of the most interesting features we saw was the subtle side-view cameras with accompanying screens, thus reducing the car's width. Also, it turns out the lone steering wheel handles all four wheels, meaning the driver won't have to sacrifice too much brain power over multiple controls. That said, we can imagine that even the most experienced drivers may find this car to be a tough animal to tame initially -- the lady in Nissan's earlier demo looked like she had to steer dramatically around sharp corners. But keep the car going straight and it'll accelerate up to 120km/h (75mph), while on a single charge it can go up to 100km (62 miles). Video after the break.

Gallery: Nissan Pivo 3 extreme agility concept EV hands-on

Continue reading Nissan Pivo 3 extreme agility concept EV hands-on

Nissan Pivo 3 extreme agility concept EV hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptconcept carconcept evConceptCarConceptEvelectric carelectric vehicleElectricCarElectricVehicleevhands-onjapannissannissan pivo3NissanPivo3pivo 3pivo3tokyotokyo motor showtokyo motor show 2011TokyoMotorShowTokyoMotorShow2011videozero emissionZeroEmissionThu, 01 Dec 2011 09:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan sells more than 20,000 Leafs in first year, high-fives commence on Tokyo Motor Show floor]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/30/nissan-sells-more-than-20-000-leafs-in-first-year-high-fives-co/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/30/nissan-sells-more-than-20-000-leafs-in-first-year-high-fives-co/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/30/nissan-sells-more-than-20-000-leafs-in-first-year-high-fives-co/#comments You win this round, hippies! Only a few months after announcing that it sold 10,000 all-electric Leaf cars in international markets, Nissan stated at the Tokyo Motor Show today that the company has sold over 20,000 Leafs since the car went on sale in December of 2010. Of the 9,000 Leafs that have been sold to U.S. owners, over 60 percent went to homes in California, where owners no doubt admire their electric cars while enjoying their tasty organic kale and starfruit smoothies. The company also added that it expects to sell more than 10,000 Leafs in the U.S. by the end of 2011, which dovetails perfectly into their predictions. Given that the Japanese EV's prime competition has been plagued by concerns about its flammability, Nissan might just exceed those expectations.

Nissan sells more than 20,000 Leafs in first year, high-fives commence on Tokyo Motor Show floor originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 02:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010autoautomobileCaliforniacarDecemberelectricelectric carelectric vehicleElectricCarElectricVehicleevinternationalkaleLeafNissansalesTokyo Motor ShowTokyoMotorShowWed, 30 Nov 2011 02:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota to unveil Prius C, hydrogen and electric hybrid concepts at 2012 Tokyo Motor Show]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/16/toyota-to-unveil-prius-c-hydrogen-and-electric-hybrid-concepts/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/16/toyota-to-unveil-prius-c-hydrogen-and-electric-hybrid-concepts/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/16/toyota-to-unveil-prius-c-hydrogen-and-electric-hybrid-concepts/#comments
If there's one absolute truth to cars, it's this: next year's models will generally make you regret the one you just bought. Over at the Tokyo Motor Show, this standard will probably hold true, with Toyota set to launch a smaller-than-current-Prius in the form of the Prius C, or "Aqua". The C, which takes some interesting technological steps forward, packs a hybrid drivetrain, coupling an as-yet undisclosed "high-output" electric motor with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine. According to Toyota, this combination will yield over 50 miles per gallon in the city, the highest city fuel economy for any non-plug-in vehicle. Getting into more experimental territory, Toyota is also expected to unveil the FCV-R concept, this model previewing a hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle with room for four passengers and luggage space currently being targeted for a 2015 market launch. This, along with the FT-EV III (which will preview an upcoming electric version of the company's iQ model with a short-range battery-powered drivetrain) round out Toyota's morsels for the new model year. Stay tuned for additional pricing and release dates as they become available, and head down past the break to see what to expect from the new Prius.

Gallery: Toyota Motor Show 2012 Preview Gallery

Continue reading Toyota to unveil Prius C, hydrogen and electric hybrid concepts at 2012 Tokyo Motor Show

Toyota to unveil Prius C, hydrogen and electric hybrid concepts at 2012 Tokyo Motor Show originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AquacarcarscityeconomyelectricFCV-RFT-EV IIIFt-evIiifuelhybridpiggy bankPiggyBankpower trainPowerTrainPriusPrius CPriusCTokyo Motor ShowTokyoMotorShowToyotavideoWed, 16 Nov 2011 20:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda's Small Sports EV concept proves electric can be svelte, comes to Tokyo Motor Show next month]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/10/hondas-small-sports-ev-concept-proves-electric-can-be-svelte-c/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/10/hondas-small-sports-ev-concept-proves-electric-can-be-svelte-c/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/10/hondas-small-sports-ev-concept-proves-electric-can-be-svelte-c/#comments Honda fans, hope you're down for some last-minute tickets to Japan, as the automaker plans to release not one, but seven (!) stunning concepts at the upcoming Tokyo Motor show. Ranging from plug-in hybrids to electric motorcycles, we're most stoked about the Small Sports EV -- a dashing two-seat roadster that reminds us stylistically of BMW's i8. Details are light, but Honda promises that it'll be fun to drive, yet also achieve "excellent environmental performance." Alongside it is the plug-in hybrid AC-X, which looks like an LED-ridden redux of the lease-only FCX. And finally, there's the Micro Commuter concept, which despite looking the least production-ready of the three, gets kudos for having a dedicated spot to load the accompanying Motor Compo EV motorcycle. Not much else to report on all seven this far out, but that doesn't mean you can't ogle at photos of these three and their motorcycle brethren at the links below.

Continue reading Honda's Small Sports EV concept proves electric can be svelte, comes to Tokyo Motor Show next month

Honda's Small Sports EV concept proves electric can be svelte, comes to Tokyo Motor Show next month originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AC-X conceptAc-xConceptconcept carConceptCarconceptsE-Canopy ConceptE-canopyConcepthondaMicro Commuter ConceptMicroCommuterConceptMotor Compo conceptMotorCompoConceptRC-ERC-E conceptRc-eConceptSmall Sports EV conceptSmallSportsEvConcepttokyo motor showTokyoMotorShowThu, 10 Nov 2011 19:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Nagoya Institute's folding X-Frame car lacks S-foils, hyperdrive, rolls on a big orange ball]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/03/nagoya-institutes-folding-x-frame-car-lacks-s-foils-hyperdrive/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/03/nagoya-institutes-folding-x-frame-car-lacks-s-foils-hyperdrive/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/03/nagoya-institutes-folding-x-frame-car-lacks-s-foils-hyperdrive/#commentsNagoya Institute's folding X-Frame car lacks S-foils, hyperdrive, rolls on a big orange ball Welcome to the future, dear readers, where boring black tires are replaced with bright orange and yellow ones and where your car can dynamically expand or contract. This is the X-Frame Folding Vehicle, a concept from the Nagoya Institute of Technology that was first shown at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, but rolled out of hiding again for the city's recent Good Design Expo. The car changes shape to offer seating for either one or two and can raise or lower itself dynamically based on terrain, speed, and proximity of Clown Gang members when you're cruising in Neo-Tokyo. No word on when or if it will see production, but don't let a complete lack of crash-worthiness get you down on this vision of tomorrow.

Nagoya Institute's folding X-Frame car lacks S-foils, hyperdrive, rolls on a big orange ball originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carfolding carFoldingCargood design expoGoodDesignExpojapannagoya institute of technologyNagoyaInstituteOfTechnologytokyotokyo motor showTokyoMotorShowx--framexffvFri, 03 Sep 2010 07:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan's Land Glider concept car leans like a motorcycle, looks like a squashed GT-R (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/nissans-land-glider-concept-car-leans-like-a-motorcycle-looks/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/nissans-land-glider-concept-car-leans-like-a-motorcycle-looks/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/nissans-land-glider-concept-car-leans-like-a-motorcycle-looks/#commentsNissan's Land Glider concept car leans like a motorcycle, looks like a squashed GT-R (video) Motorcycles are about the most efficient (and fun) way to get around, but people in this country don't seem to care too much -- maybe worried about getting smeared all over the SUV of an eager commuter talking on his cellphone while eating breakfast and shaving. Nissan's Land Glider could offer that fun and that efficiency in what looks to be a slightly safer package. The zero-emissions electric car seats two in-line and is just 3.6-feet wide, utilizing motorcycle tires that dip on one side when turning to enable leans of up to 17 degrees. The Tokyo Motor Show is just a few weeks away, where this interesting concept will be on display -- and surely many others that are even more out there. Check out a video of this one tipping precariously just after the break.

Continue reading Nissan's Land Glider concept car leans like a motorcycle, looks like a squashed GT-R (video)

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Nissan's Land Glider concept car leans like a motorcycle, looks like a squashed GT-R (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric carElectricCarevland gliderLandGlidernissannissan land gliderNissanLandGlidertokyo motor showTokyoMotorShowzero-emissionsThu, 08 Oct 2009 09:04:00 EST