Rinspeed
Rinspeed E2 Fiat 500 Abarth – 1 liter per 100 kilometers?
Rinspeed is known for their revolutionary designs have come up with a tuned up version of the Abrath 500. For those not in the know, the Abrath 500 is a steroid ridden Fiat 500 producing an amazing 135bhp from its 1.4 litre 16v turbocharged engine, in a car already known for its fun driving.
Thus Rinspeed has taken it a step further, and in line with their ‘inspiring-other-carmaker/tuners’ motto, they have released the E2. E2 meaning 2 forms of energy levels that will be available and controlled by a button in the cockpit. The commuting mode will only release 60horses and will only need a liter of fuel per 100 kilometers.
But when the long straights of the motorway beckons, the Highway mode will produce a more interesting 160 bhp, so expect to be blown away. Logically, this would mean more fuel being used thus expect a return of seven liters(1.5gallons) per 100km(62 miles).
Rinspeed boss Rinderknecht, believes that he is on the right path to automotive tuning and is hoping to nudge the automotive and tuning industry in this direction. Fiat 500, 500 Abrath and now this, all brilliant cars, I look forward in seeing this actually being produced and not just a few words of marketing by Rinspeed. I will definitely go out of my way to get behind the wheels of one of these machines.
Rinspeed will also showcase the iChange concept at the Geneba Motor Show next week. The iChange is able to change its body style to accommodate more passengers depending on the requirement.
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Rinspeed iChange concept set for Geneva unveiling
Couple of months back, we brought you a report regarding the Rinspeed iChange concept which is able to change its body structure (by lifting up its rear) for it to become a one, two or three-seater coupe.
Depending on the requirement, it can seat only the driver at first, and then it can seat two extra passengers. This means that the aerodynamic profile of the concept changes based on the number of passengers. This Swiss-made tear drop concept will be previewed at the Geneva Motor Show early next month and is said to weigh in at only 1,050 kilograms.
According to Rinspeed, the fully electric iChange is powered by 150kW motor, mated to a 6 speed Pre-Selector transmission taken from the Subaru WRX. The electric motor which receives power from a lithium ion battery pack, is able to propel the concept to 100 km/h in a little more than 4 seconds to a top speed of 220 km/h. It even has solar panels mounted on the roof that can store extra energy in the lithium ion battery pack.
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1-2-3-Seater Electric Car that changes its body structure?
If you are planning to attend the Geneva International Motor Show from March 5th till March 15th 2009, you will definitely catch this “very interesting” concept car. This concept, called the iChange is developed by Rinspeed (a tuning company which used to tune Porsches some time back), the same company which brought you the sQuba this year; a Lotus Elise which was turned into a pseudo-submarine!
This sporty and streamlined teardrop shaped concept which is powered by a 130kw-electric motor seats only the driver at first, and then two more passengers may join him or her once the car’s rear end has risen as if by magic – actually via an “electronic trick-tail” which changes the body structure of the car depending on the number of passengers.
The first thing that crossed my mind was: “its ALIVE!”.
