Saturday, March 15, 2008

Of Childhood Dreams And Concept Cars

 


Do you still recall your childhood dreams? Mine include the following:

1. To be a superhero. (Someone more adorable and muscular than Superman!)
2. To time travel (Got influenced a lot by Steven Spielberg’s Back to the Future I and Dad watched together.)
3. To build a separate room for my pet cats (They occupy much of my bed’s space, I have 5, by the way, kittens not counted.)
4. To appear on TV (So I could overcome my shyness?!)
 5. To learn magic tricks (I want to learn how that man with an odd hat, turned my pennies into dollar bills)

All that I’ve already let go (It’s up to them if they’ll return to me) except for one great dream. Wanna know what it is? Hold your breath. (Drum roll) To be an astronaut. Yup. An astronaut. But not in order to walk on the moon (So what if I do, anyway? Would it make me a better person?) but to have the opportunity to ride on a spaceship. I love the challenge of riding that capsule-like aircraft that appears like a bumper car I used to play with my dad at the amusement park.
But I guess, now that I’m already 31, I must already prick my bubble and face the reality that an auto journalist was never meant to be an astronaut. What does a man like me who’s life has been centered on the latest biz in the auto industry has anything to do with astronomical missions, anyway? Not unless their quest is sponsored by giant automakers such as General Motors or Ford, and they’ll be going to the moon or whatever heavenly body they want to shoot a commercial for their latest car model. Now that would really be very newsworthy.

Yet, before I succumbed to my cynicism, I was reminded of an important Sunday school lesson: Dreams can come true, if one has faith. Okay, okay. But HOW can I be able to ride a spaceship, before my life’s hourglass break? (Wrong use of figurative language, I know!) I’m surprised the answer was simple. Just be myself—an auto journalist. For unveiled at the ongoing Geneva Auto Show is Assystem city car, the latest concept car from Assystem, which looks like a spaceship.
It was confirmed by my source. The Assystem city car, penned by Swiss designer Franco Sbarro, has gullwing doors, like that of the Renault Megane. Inside, this car features liquid crystal display (LCD) as a high-tech substitute to conventional vehicle windshields. This LCD can be adjusted whether into transparent windshields or into a monitor that shows camera footage of the road you’re heading. The Assystem city car concept is equipped with four cameras on its exterior that supplies information about road signs and obstacles. It also comes with a global positioning system (GPS) for added safety.

In addition, the Assystem city car also incorporates biometric iris analyzer that can detect whether the driver stays focused on the road while driving or not.  It  also has modern entertainment systems to complete your magical driving experience.
But before you get excited about buying this car (Just like I did, the first time I heard about it) let me take you back to reality—the Assystem city car remains a concept car. Just like a dream yet to come true. Maybe, ‘twas life’s way of reminding me that dreams only die the moment I allow doubts to cloud the path leading me to them. It’s not yet too late, I know…

Posted by Eli in 06:48:16 | Permalink | No Comments »

Just A Thought

If you’ve been to Asian countries such as India, Bangladesh and Philippines, most probably, you’ve already got the opportunity to ride on an auto-rickshaw. Auto-rickshaws are three-wheeled small vehicles that are powered by motors. In Asia, particularly in the aforementioned countries, rickshaws are considered as the chief means of transportation. In addition, they also reflect these countries’ rich cultural heritage, with their fancy decorations. Moreover, auto-rickshaws are also considered as great sources of income for the inhabitants of these developing countries. In Bangladesh, for example, the rickshaw business serves as huge sources of income for over 12 million of its population.

As I was browsing the internet, I discovered something, which reminded me of these amusing vehicles. This vehicle wasn’t among the multi-branded concept cars launched at the Geneva Motor Show. In fact, it was first disclosed three years ago. But amazingly, it does still make news up to these days. The SUB G1 is the first-ever product of Southern California-based company SUB. It was engineered by Niki Smart, Nick Mynott and Jay Brett, three friends who share common interests in automotive technology. Like the rickshaw, the SUB G1 is a three-wheeler, influenced by Smart’s “One-up” concept, which mostly deals with vehicles’ “engineering aesthetic” including such features as single seat, superb aerodynamics and optimum performance. Thus, categorizing it is really quite confusing. But because it incorporates three wheels, primarily to achieve equal weight distribution between the engine and the driver, this qualifies the SUB G1 as a motorcycle and not a car. Also, it’s guaranteed to be very efficient via its 1000 cc-Suzuki V-Twin engine, which is capable of producing 135 horsepower and torque that reaches up to 105 Nm. The same engine is utilized in a Suzuki TL 1000R motorcycle.

The SUB G1 was described in Sub3Wheeler as “an ultra dynamic motorcycle concept, combining motorcycle engine technology, in a single seat driving experience.” Having three wheels measuring 200 mm at the back and 180 mm in front, and tires taken from motorcycles, it only weighs 727 pounds or 330 kilograms making it such a fun vehicle to drive. The SUB G1 is a certified customer-fit product with standard seats as well as pedals mounted on its floor, which can accommodate occupants who are 6’8”” up to 5’10” tall.

If you will notice, the SUB G1 looks so meticulously built. Actually, it is. SUB made sure that each component of this vehicle is carefully chosen and well-assembled. Maximizing the skills they’ve gathered from their previous work experiences–Smart, as designer also fabricator, known for the Aston Martin Vantage concept and the Ariel Atom sports car; Brett, industrial design expert and Mynott, a digital modeler, helped the team to use advanced 3D surfacing software to create the SUB G1 out of cost-effective yet top-of-the-line quality components. It also allowed them to adjust its speed as well as reduce vehicle construction errors for a complete package SUB G1 package oozing with style and quality.

Although the SUB G1 was originally intended for production, at present only three makes of this vehicle is in use worldwide—one in United Kingdom and two in United States, reports from Diseno-art said. Both have been tested to cover about 1000 miles efficiently.

Though nothing beats the fun of exploring new places, with an SUB G1, you won’t miss a rickshaw ride experience, even without traveling to Asia. That’s the power of innovation.

Posted by Eli in 04:26:54 | Permalink | No Comments »