|
Price |
|
-- |
Production |
|
-- |
|
Engine |
electric |
Weight |
2314
lbs |
|
Aspiration |
-- |
Torque |
-- |
|
HP |
201
hp @ 4500 rpm |
HP/Weight |
11.5
lbs per hp |
|
HP/Liter |
-- |
1/4 mile |
-- |
|
0-62 mph |
4.2
seconds |
Top Speed |
137
mph |
(from Rinspeed Press
Release) World Debut at the 79th Geneva Motor Show, March 5th
through 15th, 2009
Swiss Automobile
Visionary Frank M. Rinderknecht Builds a Concept Car with Adaptive
Energy
Concept
„iChange“ Alters its Shape - and
Automotive Thinking
Zumikon, Switzerland -
World debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2009 (March 5th-15th): The
Swiss auto
powerhouse Rinspeed presents the ‘iChange,’ the world’s first car
whose body adapts to the number
of passengers on board. For Rinspeed boss Rinderknecht the vehicle
is more than just a clever
concept car. “The „iChange“ is a symbol for the fundamental changes
the auto industry undergoes
worldwide. And it is clear that only those companies will survive
that have innovative answers for the
demands of a new automotive era.” The visionary Rinderknecht is
convinced that the days of gasguzzling behemoths are coming to an
end: “The „iChange“ is a signal for the coming global changes to
individual mobility. We need to be ready to meet these challenges
with new ideas.”
In seconds a streamlined
one-seater sports car transforms into a comfortable car with ample
room for
three. The trick: At the push of a button the rear end of the
teardrop-shaped car magically pops up.
“We have designed and built an extremely flexible vehicle. In it we
have brought the themes of
versatility and continually changing energy demands to their logical
conclusions.” The result is a
streamlined, lightweight zero-emission car with dramatically reduced
energy consumption.
The basic idea behind
the ‘iChange:’: The energy demand of a vehicle depends mostly on its
weight,
the type of engine it uses, and its aerodynamic properties. The
engineering-services company Esoro
that traditionally builds Rinspeed concept cars has built an
extremely lightweight car weighing in at
only 1’050 kilograms. To power the car, the Swiss specialists chose
an electric motor. The idea of the
pop-up rear end was conceived to account for the sizeable effect
aerodynamics play in fuel
consumption.
While other cars always
have to ferry around their puffed-up exteriors that can accommodate
up to
seven passengers even if they’re just transporting a single soul,
the „iChange“ features an adaptive
body. The sole driver is conveyed in a teardrop-shaped car that
offers optimal aerodynamic properties
and thus minimized energy consumption. If more than one person need
to be transported the
expanding rear provides room for two passengers. As a result of the
increased weight and no longer
optimal aerodynamics the energy consumption increases - but only for
the time passengers are
actually on board.
The energy for the
electric motor comes from lithium-ion batteries that are available
in two different
stack configurations for short- and long-distance driving. The
electric motor of the „iChange“ produces
150kW, capable of propelling the car to a top speed of 220 km/h. The
sprint from rest to 100 km/h
takes just slightly over four seconds. This impressive performance
is made possible with the help of a
six-speed pre-selector gearbox from the Subaru WRX car. The central
research department of
Siemens AG (Corporate Technology, CT) supplied the integration
technology for engine/generator,
electronics and battery connection interface. Siemens has long been
one of the world leaders for
energy systems and eco technology with pioneering concepts for
electric drive systems. Its products
cover the entire electric value-added chain from generation to
distribution to consumption. The
gearbox and drivetrain are lubricated with eco-friendly lubricants
from Motorex. Custom-made
lightweight 17” and 18” forged wheels with aerodynamic shrouds are
supplied by light-alloy wheel
specialists AEZ. Pirelli P Zero tires in size 215/40-17 in front and
size 245/40-18 in back provide
optimal grip.
An initial walk-around
reveals that the concept car has no doors. The entire electrically
powered roof
section of the car measuring just 1.03 meters in height tilts
forward to allow passengers to board. Also
gone are such mundane things as a key. Its role is filled by an
Apple iPhone, which also controls the
most important vehicle functions. The „iChange“ is drastically
different than ordinary cars in every
detail: At the heart of the concept car lies the groundbreaking
next-generation Harman/Kardon
infotainment system. The system uses an innovative Intel processor
technology that guarantees
minimized power consumption. The same is true for the Harman/Kardon
high-efficiency audio system.
This revolutionary technology meets highest demands on sound
quality, weighs much less than
ordinary systems and at the same time uses only a fraction of
energy. This opens the door to a new
dimension of energy efficiency. The route guidance of the navigation
system is also especially ecofriendly: The system calculates
the most energy-saving route and displays the directions in
realistic 3D view. Eberspächer Group from Esslingen, Germany is one
of the world leaders in car heaters. Specifically for the „iChange“
project Eberspächer developed custom-tailored electric and
fuel-burning heating systems. Both systems are geared toward the
specific requirements and conditions of electric vehicles.
The pure wool used in
the interior was further refined into high-tech wool by Schoeller
using state-of-the-art processes. The wool is spun and died in
accordance with the highest eco standards. It provides
an extremely extravagant ambiance in the ‘iChange,’ looks stunning
and is delicate to the touch. The
competence partner Strähle + Hess transformed this natural product
into a striking interior. Its surface
character and materiality combine to create a symbiosis of shell,
firmness and frothy air.
Unconventional techniques create unusual surfaces. The seams of the
seats are reversed and the
removable seats cushions are adorned with the prototype’s name.
Xmobil provided further
customization services. While textiles can be found in the „iChange“
in their original form in other
areas, they are newly interpreted on seats and cargo floor using
various refinement techniques such
as braiding and gathering and a combination of both. Leather strips
alternate with technical textiles.
The seat cushions are interchangeable, braided felt alternates with
technical textiles formed into three-dimensional shapes. This
transfers the adaptive concept of the „iChange“ to the interior as
well. The
diamond-coated anti-slip floor is supplied by abrasives specialist
KGS.
The Swiss Federal
Ministry for Energy (Bundesamt für Energie) supports the „iChange“
project as a
groundbreaking research and development project. Solar panels on the
top and sides of the roof
provide electricity to the fan to keep temperatures in the „iChange“
comfortably low on hot summer
days. The large Sharp solar panels also provide additional
eco-friendly charging of the batteries.
With the „iChange“
Rinderknecht, a passionate C. F. Bucherer watch wearer, and his
partners once
more want to provide food for thought for the automotive industry.
The Swiss car visionary: “If we want
to maintain our individual mobility in the future we have to rethink
the car in its entirety, without taboos.
Most of all, we have to take its ecological aspects into
consideration.” And in the end everyone has to
personally answer the same question: Am I ready and willing to
change myself, do and can ‘I change’?
