LA Auto Show 2010 Design Challenge 1000 lb Car: Honda Air
Geschreven op 7-11-2010 - Erik van Erne. Geplaatst in Agenda, Design, Vervoer en OV
The LA Auto Show, November 19-28 2010, is an annual auto show held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Every year the LA Auto Show kicks off with two press days full of activity for journalists, designers and industry representatives alike.
Each year for the past seven years, a topical theme is chosen and the major Southern California automotive design studios are invited to compete in the Design Challenge. For the first time studios from Germany and Japan will join the competition adding an international dimension to the contest. The highly anticipated challenge allows studios to flex their creativity and explore new ideas in automotive design.
The theme this year addresses society’s shift toward minimizing consumption of the earth’s resources. The objective is to envision an efficient, light-weight, four passenger vehicle (not to exceed 1,000 lbs.), that is both comfortable and safe, while delivering satisfactory driving performance without sacrificing the styling consumers demand.
The Honda Air concept is a vision of the future of lightweight and alternative fuel performance vehicles; a coastal cruiser for the aggressive lifestyle. Inspired by the modern roller coaster as well as skydiving wing-suits, the Air is powered by a compressed air and pneumatic regulator system. It utilizes turbo vacuums and external air-flow to regenerate tank pressure for extended range and increased boost for an estimated 100 miles. The chassis doubles as the master tank and all components, including seating, are mounted to the central chassis/tank to eliminate redundant structure and reduce overall weight.
Vegetable based polymer panels and fairings protect occupants, maintaining the solid Honda method; safety for everyone. The Air’s cockpit and package maintain the aggressive human packaging of a modern roller coaster aimed at maximizing the open air experience. In order to reduce weight and increase dynamic performance, a hub-less wheel and drive system eliminates the use of heavy drive train components. Glass reinforced seating panels, urethane tire composition and skeletal sub-frame components combine for drastic weight savings. Using a Honda generator / air compressor at home or tire filler at your local filling station, the main tanks and reserves can be filled quickly and safely. At just under 800 lbs., the powerful anthem of pneumatic propulsion and a character unlike any zero-emission vehicle exemplifies Honda’s concept of fun to drive. The pow[air] of dreams.
See also: De 100% Elektrische Honda FCV Hydrogen Full Cell: 700 kilometer op één tank waterstof - De Honda FCX Clarity met een waterstof brandstofcel – The Zero Emission Honda 3R-C – The Zero Emission Honda EV-N – LA Auto Show Design Challenge 1000 lb Car: Honda Air – The Honda EV-Neo Electric Scooter – De Toyota Mirai Zero-Emission Elektrische Waterstofauto: Innovatie van het Decennium by CAM
