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A New and Inventive Design in Petrol-Saving
Transportation
A Hybrid Car with a Built-in Bike
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photos
BARCELONA, Spain — December 18, 2004 —
With no end in sight to rising petrol prices, the trend for
hybrid cars and alternative transportation - like bicycling
- continues to grow. Spanish designer Josep Mora has combined
the two solutions in his latest eco-friendly design, a hybrid
sports car that incorporates a folding bike into its structure.
Called the Fenix 0.9 Concept Car, this hybrid roadster uses
a recycled Honda CBR 900cc 150 hp and a 15 hp electric engine.
Thus it runs on both gas and electricity. But what's most impressive:
The entire car is made from 100% recycled materials. "We
use recycled car body parts and obtain components directly from
other companies such as Ikea, Artemide, and Mobles 114. This
reduced the energy and emissions required for development,"
says Mora. As part of Mora's goal to minimize fuel consumption,
he has kept the weight of the car low, totaling 550 kilograms.
To achieve this, he used wooden outer body panels. "Plywood
is as strong as fiberglass," says Mora. The hood, also
wood, includes embedded photovoltaic (solar) panels to help
power the car. Also winning points for weight-saving strength
is the car's stainless steel multi-tubular frame. Interior components
are noteworthy as well. "There is zero plastic used in
the interior of the Fenix," says Mora. "Only renewable
materials are used." The seats are made of wicker, the
floor panels from bamboo, and the dashboard from wood. "We
decorated it like a small apartment," he says.
Tucked in the rear of this elegant automobile-beneath the large
hatchback window and in between the seats and engine-is a Dahon
Presto Lite folding bike. "This is for extra mobility after
the car is parked," says Mora. "It's very useful in
areas like a city center where parking can be far away. And
in the older parts of the city with open air markets and outdoor
café's, it's much nicer to get around by bike."
Fit for a prince and princess?
Who's going to buy The Fenix and what does it cost? Prince Felipe
and Princess Leticia of Spain looked at one recently in Barcelona.
No word on whether or not they made the purchase, but if they
did, they would be the rare few as it is not yet available commercially.
The Fenix is currently being displayed in design and technical
schools, and at conventions and fairs throughout Europe. For
a schedule of exhibits and for a closer look, log onto http://www.josepmora.com.
The Dahon Presto Lite is an ultra portable folding bicycle that
is a perfect mobility tool. The Presto Lite weighs only 18 lbs.
(9.2 kg.) and folds in under fifteen seconds to fit almost anywhere.
When folded, the Presto Lite measures 11" x 20" x
30" (28 x 51 x 73 cm), only slightly larger than a shopping
bag. It slides easily into a custom Dahon backpack, making it
easy to carry on to trains or store under your desk at work!
The Presto Lite is available at bicycle dealers for a suggested
retail price of US $599. |
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