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Rinspeed's concept EV puts swappable pods on a 'skateboard'
Rinspeed has been dreaming up insane vehicles for years -- from scuba cars plucked from James Bond's garage to modded self-driving rides. Even if they never make it to the public, the concepts are at least fun to check out, and the Rinspeed Snap is no different. Essentially a modular vehicle in two parts, the Snap is made up of interchangeable pods that attach to a rolling chassis, which houses data-processing computers and the EV power train. When the latter starts ageing, you simply slide a new one under your existing pod, theoretically extending the lifecycle of the vehicle at a fraction of the cost of buying a new car. And, if you get bored of the top half, you can swap that out too.
Rinspeed's latest concept is a self-driving sports car
Most prototype self-driving cars are designed for comfort, not performance. After all, wouldn't you want to take the wheel if you really wanted a thrill? Rinspeed thinks there's a case to be made, though: it just teased the Σtos, an autonomous sports car concept. The vehicle still has a steering wheel for those hands-on moments, but the controller automatically retracts into the dashboard when you're content to let the car do all the hard work. Two curved widescreen displays also move closer into view in this mode, and there's even a drone (complete with a landing pad) that could deliver goods or record your adventures on camera.
Rinspeed reimagines the BMW i3 EV as a self-driving car
Rinspeed did a fantastic visual recreation of the Tesla Model S as a moving living room last year, and now it has given the BMW i3 EV a similar treatment. The Swiss car restorer and conjurer of futuristic concepts has reimagined the i3 as a self-driving car with rather far-out features in a new concept called "Buddi." For instance, it's equipped with a robotic arm that can move the steering wheel in front of either front-seat passenger or to the middle if nobody wants to drive. That robotic arm can curiously wind the in-car watch, as well, if the camera monitoring it determines that its battery is almost depleted.
Rinspeed imagines the Tesla Model S as a self-driving 'living room on wheels'
We've seen some pretty amazing concept cars come from Rinspeed in the past, but this one has to be one of our favorites. On display at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show early next month, the XchangE turns the Tesla Model S into a "living room on wheels." The autonomous vehicle will not only drive itself, but is equipped with a 32-inch 4k monitor and reclining seats to make you feel like you're cruising around in a private jet rather than a four-door sedan. The intense luxury doesn't stop at the television. A built-in espresso machine keeps you powered up for the ride, and If you're traveling for work rather than play, the vehicle's "Business-to-Car" platform ensures you not only have access to all the web services you need, but are surfing safely. Perhaps the most absurd addition to the vehicle is "the world's arguably most expensive watch winder," a $44k Patravi TravelTec wristwatch encased in a transparent globe above the car's steering column. When the car is stationary, the globe uses the Tesla's electric engine to wind the stationary watch. It's all just a concept now, but it's one we can't wait to hit the streets in.
Harman, Rinspeed partner on Dock + Go dashboard concept
Harman is kicking off the Geneva Auto Show by unveiling its new dashboard concept for cars of the future. The Dock + Go system turns your dashboard into a "learning," Aha cloud-connected platform that'll try to eliminate traffic jams, or at least you're kept entertained in line. Your smartphone will connect over NFC and immediately the car will remember your preferred settings and social networks for access. The navigation will learn your driving habits and tweak the GPS settings accordingly and it'll even measure your alertness level and suggest you take a nap, or at least drive down a less busy street. It can recognize gestures and with a wave of the hand, it can start reading your new emails or tweets and, best of all, when driving past a store, the cloud system can show you vouchers and deals for your road-based impulse purchase needs -- after all, there's nothing better than being offered half-price meat while you're cruising down the freeway.
Rinspeed gives Smart Fortwo ED two extra wheels, more junk in the trunk
Rinspeed is a Swiss speed shop that is perhaps best known for making rather outlandish concept cars, from glorified golf carts to Bond-inspired amphibious autos. And now the company has unveiled its latest creation, the Dock+Go, a "backpack" for your Smart Fortwo ED. Essentially, Rinspeed has modified an existing Fortwo EV so that it can connect an extra axle to its derriere, providing extra trunk space, a hot box for pizza delivery or even extra speakers and infotainment options. Not only that, but the automotive add-on also packs extra oomph to give your mini EV additional range with a built-in fuel cell, battery or ICE.The Fortwo that the Dock+Go mates with has itself gotten a bunch of show-worthy interior upgrades as well. It's got a 12.1-inch in-dash monitor, infotainment system from Harman with Aha radio and gesture control, plus an incredibly safe smartphone cradle built into the steering wheel to give the Smart's cockpit a second screen. Because it's a concept, you won't see the Dock+Go on the streets anytime soon, but you can see plenty more pictures of it at the source below. Oh, and should customer demand be sufficient, Rinspeed's in talks with manufacturers to make it happen. What say you, dear readers, does a Fortwo EV with a fatter caboose appeal to you?
Rinspeed BamBoo electric concept is world's largest HTC Flyer dock
Talk about your cross promotions. The Rinderknecht-built Rinspeed BamBoo concept electric car looks to be the stuff of a gadget nerd's dreams. Unfortunately, that dream resembles a dystopian nightmare envisioned by a Neal Stephenson novel whereby everything we own is sponsored, trivial, and slathered in corporate logos. But hey, it's just a concept, and production vehicles never look like the original idea so anything goes... and we mean anything. To start with, the breadbox-inspired dash features a Siemens VDO display with a docking station in the glovebox for the new HTC Flyer tablet. The BamBoo dash is flanked by flowery JBL GreenEdge speakers and the starter key is styled after a Swiss army knife. And if we're not mistaken, there's a webcam extended off a stalk from the center of the dash. An interesting piece of work right on down to the cluster of old school throw switches for the wipers, lights, hazards, etc. But that's just the cockpit. The radiator grill has been replaced by an internet-connected "identiface," developed by Daimler subsidiary MBtech, whereby the occupant can display any number of messages to onlookers from Facebook or Twitter, for example, or even the radio station preset you're currently jamming. The inflatable rear seats are removable as is the inflatable waterproof roof developed by Tecnotex that doubles as a beach blanket. The whole kit is powered by a 54 kW electric motor capable of a 120km/h top speed and battery capable of pushing the sporty golf cart some 105 kilometers before requiring a recharge from an RWE intelligent charging station. Look for it to make its big reveal at the Geneva Motor Show. Until then, head over to Autoblog to feast on their gallery of images with a few choice shots added below. %Gallery-116981% [Thanks, Tim]
Rinspeed's iChange EV is an iPhone-integrated shape shifter
While not nearly as outrageous as its sQuba submarine car, Rinspeed's shape-shifting iChange all-electric concept car, debuting at this year's Geneva Motor Show, has more than its fair share of eccentricities. As the name not so gracefully suggests, it sports iPhone integration that lets you dock the mobile and control the headlights and turn signals, among other functions -- no steering capabilities, unfortunately. The phone can also adjust the height of the bubble roof to make room for two passengers in the back. Left to its own devices, the bubble adjusts dynamically to maximize fuel efficiency. As for the specs, it's got a 150 kilowatt motor, top speed of about 137MPH, solar panel roofing to power the A/C, a Harman/Kardon infotainment system with GPS navigation, goes 0 to 62MPH in under four seconds, and is all powered by lithium ion batteries available in two different stack configurations optimized for short and long trips, respectively. See it for yourself in the video after the break -- soundtrack not included, so be sure to add your own techno beats. %Gallery-45659%[Via The College Driver]
Rinspeed's sQuba becomes submersible, ridiculous reality
Rinspeed already got our attention with the concept for its fully submersible sQuba vehicle, but now that they've actually gone and built a fully working prototype we've really got to hand it to 'em. As you can see above, the vehicle is pretty much in line with the concept images, with the always-versatile Lotus Elise serving a base. Of course, that has gone under plenty of modifications, including the addition of two Seabob jet drives, and two extra motors to power 'em, to say nothing of the salt-water resistant interior and DARPA Challenge-tested driverless laser sensor system. Of course, while it's definitely a lot farther along than the last time we saw it, the sQuba's still apparently nowhere being available to the general public, no matter how deep-pocketed they might be. Be sure to hit up the read link below for plenty of pics and an appropriately cheesy video, and look for the car itself to make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.
sQuba, the driving, diving concept car from Rinspeed
Our old friends at Swiss tuning, restoration, and general ride-pimping expert Rinspeed are back with perhaps their most ambitious project to date: a fully-submersible concept car dubbed the sQuba that's equally at home on the road or under the sea. Set to be unveiled next March at the Geneva Motor Show, the multi-faceted, electric motor-powered vehicle reminds us somewhat of the Gibbs Aquada and Hydra Spyder, except the sQuba is actually able to dive and navigate up to ten meters underwater thanks to jet drives in the bow and propellers in the stern. A self-contained, on-board system inside the carbon nanotube-based body structure provides occupants with fresh air while submerged, although the engineers probably let down more than a few folks by omitting a weapons system of any kind. No release date yet -- or even production plans -- for this one-off supercar, which, might we be so bold to suggest, would make a hell of a better-looking crime-fighter than you, Mr. Knight Industries Three Thousand. Bigger pics in the gallery below... %Gallery-12262% [Via gizmag]
Rinspeed and Bayer develop transparent eXasis vehicle
At last, the long, grueling wait has ended. We now have a transparent vehicle to match those dashing clear polycarbonate rims, as Rinspeed is teaming up with Bayer MaterialScience AG yet again to create another eye-catching vehicle. Just over two years have passed since the two collaborated on the Senso, but now their minds are set on crafting a Makrolon-based whip "with a completely transparent body and floor," and if you can manage to look through over the clearness, you'll notice a compact two-cylinder 750-ccm Weber engine sitting atop the transmission. Additionally, those hoping that this piece of eye candy would be kind to the environment will also be thrilled, as the motor is entirely driven by bioethanol. Once you're seated in the specially-designed Recaro chairs, twin "transparent indicator and function displays" appear to hover on both sides of your field of vision, and touching them opens up a bevy of user-controlled options whilst motoring around. Notably, this outlandish ride has far surpassed the Photoshop stage, and will actually be on display at next month's Geneva Motor Show, and if you're interested in seeing this bad boy in high resolution, be sure to tag the links below and hold on tight.
