Top 10 Strangest Vehicle Concepts for 2009
2009 has already been an interesting year for automotive design. From cars with 24 tires to vehicles with no wheels at all – we take a look at some of the odd-ball concepts headed our way in 2009 and beyond.
10 – Jeep Patriot EV
Jeep fans will be able to enjoy the luxury of 40 miles on a charge and 400 miles total travel (with combined gas-electric travel) by 2010 at the latest. That is, as long as Jeep survives the next couple months. Chrysler has also promised their Jeep Electric Vehicle will hit a quarter mile in under 16 seconds.
9 – Lincoln C Concept
We don’t know much about Lincoln’s little surprise from this year’s Detroit Auto Show, but their C Concept looks like it will bring a company known more for large vehicles into the small car segment with ease. The Lincoln C keeps a tradition of luxury with a sense of new compact style from the auto maker, with those wide open doors taken straight off a classic Continental body.
8 – Acura 2+1 Concept
Acura’s 2+1 concept takes a unique approach to body style and passenger room. From a design angle this vehicles looks like something created by Hollywood special effects icon Syd Mead. It’s glass dome gives us a peek into the 2+1 seating arrangement – two people in the front and room for your kid (or dog, or cat) in the back.
7 – Toyota Winglet
If you really, really, really hate walking, or peddling a bike, and have $3500 to spare you’ll love the Toyota Winglet. This so-called Segway rip-off killer is lighter than the Seg and costs roughly $2K less. Wingleg is not only a personal walker, it’s a massager! Better get in line though, only 25 production Winglets will be on sale in 2009, with more to come in 2010.
6 – Marussia, Russian Electric Sportscar
In Mother Russia – electricity drives you! The Marussia Electric Roadster has a tube chassis, making modular changes to the vehicle as easy as clicking together Legos. The Marussia claims to get 248 miles on a charge, and will cost somewhere in the vicinity of $100k.
5 – Carbon Fiber Lotus Elise
Yes, carbon fibers. And yes, the actual Lotus Elise is a 2002 model, but the carbon fiber body is a recent edition. Interior and exterior throughout has been fully replaced with a custom carbon fiber body, cutting weight down to between 66 and 88 lbs. What does all this mean? Speed, lots of speed.
4 – Myers Motors EV
Straight out of Ohio based Myers Motors comes the Myers NMG (meaning No More Gas) is a $29,995 tiny piece of modern technology. This electric vehicle can travel up to 50 miles on a charge, with a top speed of 75 MPH and zero to sixty in 12.5 seconds. Myers has been in and out of a little financial ambiguity these days, but they were showing off at 2009’s North American International Auto Show.
3 – BAT 11dk
The BAT was a concept car built by a man named Gary. Sometime during the construction of his previous prototype Gary’s wife began battling breast cancer. He sold off his older BAT concept (the BAT 9) along with a Ferrari F40 and most of his savings to finance experimental treatment for his partner. The BAT 11 is a tribute to his love’s memory.
2 – Knight XV Armored Biofuel SUV
Looking to prowl urban wastelands but not harm mother nature? You should pick up this Armored Biofuel SUV – dubbed Knight XV (that’s 15 for those of you know have never seen a Rocky or Star Trek film). This $310,000 beast includes 2.5 inch thick bullet proof windows, armor plating all around and ballistic hardened steel and ballistic fiberglass fenders and bumpers. The Knight uses a 6.8-liter V10 engine getting 400 horse power – all on biofuel!
1 – Michelin SOFT Private Vehicle
Spanish engineering designer Raquel Aparicio Lopez foresees a future where vehicles are controlled not by drivers, but by GPS Systems – thus ending road collisions. Since human error will no longer be an issue behind the wheel “soft” cars could be put into use. Her concept creates a vehicle made of foam, a durable, recyclable material. It can be manipulated in any desired shape and colored to whatever fits our mood that week. The interior will conform to the passenger when they sit. According to the car’s description: A private vehicle proposed for those who appreciate individuality and privacy. A vehicle where interior and exterior will be understood in a different way, where the relation between them will change from what we have nowadays. The interior becomes the most important part containing the wheels that contain the engine and the passengers, and supporting the soft exterior. The exterior will contain the control panels to communicate with the system. A future of automotive individuality may be just around the corner.
Hi, Kammy from Myers Motors’ Marketing Department here – We appreciate the mention of our NmG, but but wanted to let you know about a couple of corrections to your story.
In 2008 we began using lithium batteries and get a range of 50 miles per charge. These batteries cost us more, but last a lot longer if the vehicle owner cares for them as instructed. Integrating this new technology did drive up the price of the vehicle to $29,995, but not needing new batteries as often lowers the lifetime cost of owning the vehicle.
Anyone interested in EVs should definitely keep an eye on our website since we are gearing up for some big announcements in 2009!