Over the past several years I've commented on the progress of Gordon Murray's microcar design. It is radically different from almost anything else and he is selling the design along with a manufacturing concept that also happens to be radically different. Sort of the recipe for failure...
Except that he has an amazing track record as a great engineer. A new article has appeared on where things are with more background. And a test drive. Light weight is a virtue if you can show people they will be safe along with saving a boatload of money...
Starting a new car compnay is one thing. Making it successful is another and represents an almost impossible task. Perhaps his approach to sell the design to an exisiting manufacturer is a path that makes sense, but it is still a long shot even if this is a very sensible approach to an urban/suburban vehicle.
This may well be a model of what megacity cars look like...
The way I see it, Gordon Murray's designs may have a few too many poles in the right-half plane, which is why I have never set butt on a motorcycle.
"Manufacturers have fought hard against any attempt to promulgate a rollover stability regulation or even caution motorists about a vehicle’s propensity to rollover. To date, the agency has acquiesced to industry on the core issue of a stability standard. Instead, NHTSA has settled for rollover warning regulations and a rating system."
Posted by: Roger | June 03, 2012 at 10:45
It won't make it in the US market, but the real market - the next billion cars - will be China, India and 3rd world countries - they'll have to address different needs and pocketbooks.
Posted by: Steve | June 03, 2012 at 12:36
10 of the craziest things on wheels.
Posted by: Roger | June 04, 2012 at 15:49