Air Car

Bluebottle · 14 Oct 2002, 21:15 (Ref:404236)

Here's something which might be of interest:-
http://www.theaircar.com
...looks like it might actually work as a short-distance commuting car etc.
They call it Zero Pollution so presumably it's tyres just vanish when they wear out, and what about the pollution during manufacture?- but it is an interesting concept!

Maisie · 14 Oct 2002, 22:14 (Ref:404296)

Nice idea, shame it has to be so ugly!

Bluebottle · 15 Oct 2002, 21:33 (Ref:405206)

The cars shown are pre-production prototypes so there is plenty of scope for them to chop and change thimgs to make them even more ugly!
Anyway, you know I like ugly cars

KC · 16 Oct 2002, 13:07 (Ref:405720)

Interesting but I am curious. I would assume that an electric starter motor is used to begin the compression process and air is injected from stored tanks. What is the unit of measure for work done used to describe the power of the engine? KW-CEE is not one I recognize. Obviously KW is kilowatts but what is the CEE unit? How much horsepower does this powerplant produce? The same with torque figures using nm-CEE. Obviously nm is newton-meters, but what is CEE? The reason I ask is this. The builders claim testing done in a boat which is good, but boats typically operate at constant rpm levels and do not have stop at go in traffic and idle around for minutes on end. For an automobile to be successfully sold anywhere in the world it must produce good usable power. It doesn't need 300 horspeower unless it is being used to haul heavy loads, but as personal transportation it must be able to run with traffic and accelerate similarly to even the cheapest IC engined car. Anything less and it becomes merely a hazard in the daily commute.

Another thing to consider is that the air bottles are pressurized to over 4300 psi (300 bar) and this is far beyond what most consumer owned air compressors can manage. Only the LOX and welding industry currently have compressors capable and they are too far and few between to be used as an infrastructure to keep this car running right now. That does not mean it cannot be done, but without an appropriate infrastructure the cars will remain an oddity like the electric car.

I find this design intriging but need more information than they currently provide. Using compressed air for fuel would be an elegant method of propulsion.

StuiE · 16 Oct 2002, 13:24 (Ref:405734)

Quote:

Originally posted by Maisie
Nice idea, shame it has to be so ugly!

bit like a Maestro then

Bluebottle · 16 Oct 2002, 20:55 (Ref:406050)

Don't be naughty Mr 69!!

Total-F1 · 16 Oct 2002, 22:10 (Ref:406095)

I'd love a Maestro!

But I would settle for one of these - aren't they brilliant!

I wouldn't mind an Aixam, but this would be an even better conversation piece...

Maisie · 16 Oct 2002, 22:50 (Ref:406122)

Plenty of good Maestros looking for a home...

Bluebottle · 16 Oct 2002, 23:01 (Ref:406132)

...before Maisie buys them all.......

Bluebottle · 16 Oct 2002, 23:10 (Ref:406139)

Quote:

Originally posted by Total-F1

I wouldn't mind an Aixam.

http://www.aixam-uk.com/

Are you sure?
(The Mac500 looks like it could be quite entertaining....)

Maisie · 16 Oct 2002, 23:33 (Ref:406161)

Passed one once - it sounded rather like a sick lawnmower...

Bluebottle · 17 Oct 2002, 18:42 (Ref:406700)

We've been held up by more than one on back roads in France!

Total-F1 · 17 Oct 2002, 21:12 (Ref:406821)

It would be much better if you lived in the Azores - you'd freeze your arse off up here in Wales!