the future of cars?

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mrsflibble
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the future of cars?

Post: # 157735Post mrsflibble »

I for one hopw this stays open source....and i hope someone makes a go of it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8103106.stm
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Re: the future of cars?

Post: # 157742Post Cloud »

They were taking photo's of this outside our office earlier in the week. Funny looking car I thought, and nearly took a photo with my iPhone. I could have had the scoop, if only I'd have known.

I'm fairly sure it's a long way for being anything other than a concept, but I second that wish for it staying Open Source.
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StripyPixieSocks
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Re: the future of cars?

Post: # 157746Post StripyPixieSocks »

Why do they make these cars looks so awful? The only thing I'd do to that is crush it... it might look a bit more aesthetically pleasing! But then I'm not a fan of modern shaped cars at all!

You'd be dead in less than 5 minutes driving that in London... imagine getting in between two lorries... :shock:

I want a Tesla Roadster :mrgreen:

http://www.carseller.ru/ill/060724tesla_roadster.jpg

Other than that I'm sticking with my 17 year old Mazda 323F although I might convert it to duel fuel!

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Re: the future of cars?

Post: # 157768Post MuddyWitch »

SPS

The Tesla has no rear window to speak of, a lousy turning circle, crap streering & you feel like you are skidding along on a tin tray....VERY FAST! Oh & it gives you back ache! Not to mention the fuel inefficiency...BUT I'm borrowing my neighbour's again soon...not to drive but to park on my drive as we sell our house...it's all about selling lifestyles..right! :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Re: the future of cars?

Post: # 157772Post StripyPixieSocks »

MuddyWitch wrote:SPS

The Tesla has no rear window to speak of, a lousy turning circle, crap streering & you feel like you are skidding along on a tin tray....VERY FAST! Oh & it gives you back ache! Not to mention the fuel inefficiency...BUT I'm borrowing my neighbour's again soon...not to drive but to park on my drive as we sell our house...it's all about selling lifestyles..right! :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Well at least it has a crush zone and I'm sure it handles far superior to a TVR Speed 12 which comes with driving lessons so you don't kill yourself!

I know it's not very ish of me but I like cars and bikes and I like them fast but they wouldn't be my every day car... I'd still keep my Mazda until it dies and there really is no way to repair it!

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Re: the future of cars?

Post: # 157792Post contadino »

I think that's pretty cool, especially the part whereby it's leased at a fixed monthly cost to include repairs and fuel. It *should* mean that the network of operators strive to keep it working efficiently and reliably over a longer period than traditional cars. As in, there will be less of them on the scrap heap in say 10 years than a car that is bought outright.

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Re: the future of cars?

Post: # 157844Post ina »

I've just bought an almost new car which I'm quite proud of; my old one (Nissan Micra) had come to the state where it was impossible to keep it going (not without buying a new body for it!), so I decided to spend all my savings and bought a VW Polo Bluemotion. No tax. And will hopefully keep going for the next 20 years. I'd love to use more public transport; however, the bus to the next town costs 4 times as much as the diesel I use - OK, I realise that I have to take into account the other costs of a car, too, but most places around here I can't get to without a car anyway, so unless I want to be stuck at home, with no chance of ever working again, I need a car...
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Re: the future of cars?

Post: # 157887Post Zaf »

I hate the shape of them too, and are they actually that ecologically sound? By that I mean there has to be some energy used somewhere to make them move but is it less or more than derv or petrol?

I use my horse and trap a lot for local journeys but so far Sainsbury's in town hasnt got tie rings in the car park for the weird amongst us :wink:

but then is a horse and cart really very 'green' these days as the farrier, vet and feed merchant both use vans to get to us.......

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Re: the future of cars?

Post: # 157942Post wolfsong »

Zaf wrote:I hate the shape of them too, and are they actually that ecologically sound? By that I mean there has to be some energy used somewhere to make them move but is it less or more than derv or petrol?
Hydrogen is usually made by using geothermal energy, or France's huge nuclear surplus, so not that much nasty stuff in there, it emits pure distilled water, very useful, or just dump it in the gutter...
Hydrogen is the way forward, the problem is the plants that produce it are about 60% efficient, but thats a work in progress too.

And all those moaning about the shape... What's wrong with it? its aerodynamic, and has headroom for us lofty blokes (and blokettes).
In an urban environment, you very rarely get to any speed where a crumple zone is useful, thats just marketing bull for the 4x4s
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