Honda 3R-C concept World Debut at Geneva International Motor Show 2010
February 24, 2010 – The revolutionary Honda 3R-C concept will make its world debut in Geneva, alongside the EV-N concept which makes its European debut at the show.
Both the three-wheeled 3R-C concept, which envisions a single occupant vehicle for zero emission commuting, and the EV-N urban concept, draw on Honda’s vast working knowledge of vehicles utilizing electric motors.
3R-C
This revolutionary three wheeled battery electric vehicle concept shows what a future minimal urban transport vehicle for one person might look like. The battery electric drivetrain is mounted low in the three wheeled chassis, therefore keeping the centre of gravity low and thus improving stability.
The 3R-C has a clear canopy that covers the driver’s seat while it is parked and not in use. When 3R-C vehicle is in motion, the canopy becomes an enveloping wind-shield that provides the pilot, who sits low in the vehicle, with significant protection from the bodywork and doors.
The high sides of the safety shell seat give greater safety to the occupant, reducing the threat from side impacts and improving weather protection. In front of the driver is a lockable boot area, which gives significant secure storage for luggage or other items. The 3R-C’s designers created a flexible cover that surrounds the upper torso to reduce exposure to bad weather and improving comfort.
The 3R-C study was created by European designers working at Honda’s Research and Design facility in Milan.
EV-N
The EV-N concept, which has only previously been shown at the Tokyo Motor Show will make its European debut in Geneva.
The EV-N is a battery electric vehicle study, which evokes the spirit of the diminutive 1967 N360 city car. Honda designers have incorporated Honda’s own solar panels in to the roof of the concept, to charge the car while it is parked. Two of Honda’s U3-X, electric personal mobility devices are attached to the inside of each door. The two-door EV-N concept is envisioned with a Lithium ion battery pack, and small electric motor for predominantly urban use.
FCX Clarity
The two concept vehicles will be displayed alongside Honda’s production fuel cell electric vehicle, the FCX Clarity. The World Green Car winner is being leased by customers in Japan and the US, who are experiencing the range, performance and practicality of this unique zero-emission vehicle. Two of the bespoke hydrogen fuelled vehicles are now permanently stationed in Europe for long-term research purposes. Alongside research work, the pair of FCX Claritys are being demonstrated at events like the COP 15 climate summit in Copenhagen, and the Berlin Climate Conference. The FCX Clarity shows Honda’s continuing commitment to fuel cell electric vehicles as the ultimate zero harmful emission mobility technology.
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Umm, let me guess. It costs about $100,000 and doesn’t protect you from the rain. It goes about 30 miles before needing a recharge and it needs 27 hours to accomplish that. The “concept” behind this one-man traffic-accident-waiting-to-happen is to turn people off electric vehicles by making them seem cartoonish, un-family-friendly, and a weekend toy for rich yuppies and their Starbucks.
Am I in the ballpark here?
Doug,
IF it ever makes it to production, you mean? I agree totally about the traffic accident and making EVs out to be the odd play toys of rich yuppies… which is exactly the opposite image of what we need to get things done.
Umm, let me guess. It costs about $100,000 and doesn’t protect you from the rain. It goes about 30 miles before needing a recharge and it needs 27 hours to accomplish that. The “concept” behind this one-man traffic-accident-waiting-to-happen is to turn people off electric vehicles by making them seem cartoonish, un-family-friendly, and a weekend toy for rich yuppies and their Starbucks.
Am I in the ballpark here?
Doug,
IF it ever makes it to production, you mean? I agree totally about the traffic accident and making EVs out to be the odd play toys of rich yuppies… which is exactly the opposite image of what we need to get things done.
Regarding public perception, car advertisers will infer the idea that commuter cars taking up an entire lane look fat, wasteful, and slow – something like PCs on the PC/Mac commercials. Once the idea takes hold, it will be like shooting fish in a barrel; the wide cars of today will be viewed as the bloated station wagons of the past.
People will get used to the look once they start to realize all of the benefits associated with driving ultra-narrow cars. Jay Leno talks about this in his interview with Rick Woodbury, the inventor of the Tango:
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/at-the-garage/electric/tango-electric/
Let’s hope the linked article’s speculation about legislation promoting special lanes for narrow cars is accurate.
Regarding public perception, car advertisers will infer the idea that commuter cars taking up an entire lane look fat, wasteful, and slow – something like PCs on the PC/Mac commercials. Once the idea takes hold, it will be like shooting fish in a barrel; the wide cars of today will be viewed as the bloated station wagons of the past.
People will get used to the look once they start to realize all of the benefits associated with driving ultra-narrow cars. Jay Leno talks about this in his interview with Rick Woodbury, the inventor of the Tango:
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/at-the-garage/electric/tango-electric/
Let’s hope the linked article’s speculation about legislation promoting special lanes for narrow cars is accurate.
Pretty, but impractical. I agree with no rain protection, and I can hardly see someone driving this thing out to go get the groceries (no space, and there’s no way you could take a friend with you. So I guess this would be great for single anti-social rich people who just want to drive around looking cool and have someone else driving a normal car to do their errands for them?
Pretty, but impractical. I agree with no rain protection, and I can hardly see someone driving this thing out to go get the groceries (no space, and there’s no way you could take a friend with you. So I guess this would be great for single anti-social rich people who just want to drive around looking cool and have someone else driving a normal car to do their errands for them?
As well take into consideration the fact that if you get in a wreck and have to get cut/pulled out by the Fire Dept, it is very hazardous to Firefighters to cut into electric cars due to the high voltage lines that are in the car, which make it very hard to save people.
As well take into consideration the fact that if you get in a wreck and have to get cut/pulled out by the Fire Dept, it is very hazardous to Firefighters to cut into electric cars due to the high voltage lines that are in the car, which make it very hard to save people.
I totally disagree with most of the comments here. First of all, discussions about the future prize is purely speculative. If these types of vehicles become popular, the produces will find ways to lower to prize. Then, most of the time (90% more) only one person uses a car leaving 3-4 empty seats which is quite uneconomical. So cars with more than 2 seats wont be the vehicley of the future. For situations where more space is needed (for example for the weekend holidys with the family or when moving to a knew house), people will just rent a car or buy a ticket for public transport. Alternatively one can imagine that each family/household will have 1 “normal car” and multiple of these oneseaters. For my part, i am really amazed by this concept and i am eagerly waiting for new pictures and informations.
I totally disagree with most of the comments here. First of all, discussions about the future prize is purely speculative. If these types of vehicles become popular, the produces will find ways to lower to prize. Then, most of the time (90% more) only one person uses a car leaving 3-4 empty seats which is quite uneconomical. So cars with more than 2 seats wont be the vehicley of the future. For situations where more space is needed (for example for the weekend holidys with the family or when moving to a knew house), people will just rent a car or buy a ticket for public transport. Alternatively one can imagine that each family/household will have 1 “normal car” and multiple of these oneseaters. For my part, i am really amazed by this concept and i am eagerly waiting for new pictures and informations.
Um.. winter? Snow? Cold? Fail….
I agree with most of the comments here, Douglas and Dave have made some valid comments. It is frustrating to see the motor industry taking it’s time to adapt to these new ideas, but the demand is driving by the consumers and legislation. Currently we don’t have the technology to make these vehicles viable and affordable, but Look at the variety of electric cars available in China now. They may be crap but at least the manufacturers are making an effort to change people reliance on gas vehicles and as battery technology improves so would demand for the EVs. The 3R-C should be called a trike rather than a car.