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Geneva preview: Rinspeed UC? concept [Live image update]

03/03/2010, 7:38 AM

By Drew Johnson

The Geneva Motor Show just couldn’t be complete without an outlandish concept from Swiss car maker Rinspeed. Following the company’s zaZen, sQuba, E2 and iChange concepts, Rinspeed debuted its new “UC?” concept.

Based lightly on the Fiat 500, the UC? — which stands for “Urban Commuter” or “You see?” – takes the form of a two-seat EV city car, but RInspeed says the UC? show car is actually an “entire mobility concept”. In addition to providing zero-emissions motoring, the UC? is also linked to the rail system via the Web. If a long trip is in order, a UC? driver can book a “mobile carport” – which conveniently features a charging point – giving the ability to travel long distances without ever having to worry about traffic or recharging. Rinspeed has developed an “advanced railcar loading system” to aid with the UC?’s rail travel.

“UC? – it’s a new and highly emotional web-based car world that interweaves individual and public transport in an intelligent way,” Rinspeed boss Frank M. Rinderknecht said. “We want to create a community of people who are open for a new definition of mobility.”

At the just over 8 feet in length, the UC? is the perfect size for city driving. The UC? is powered by an electric motor generating 91 lb-ft of torque, good enough for a top speed of 68mph. Rinspeed failed to mention what type of batteries the UC? employs, but it is capable of traveling about 74 miles on a full charge.

Although most of Rinspeed’s creations aren’t intended to move beyond the concept phase, the Swiss company says “there is a good chance that [the UC?] will be built in series production” and that “intensive dialogues at the highest levels are already well underway”. Whether the UC? will ever come to fruition as a production model is yet to be seen, of course.

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03/03, 9:43 AM

posted by:

howsmydriving

This car will be a hit in Berkeley, Westwood, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, Davis and Irvine.

03/03, 10:33 AM

posted by:

85ZingoGTR

Rinspeed UC? No I don’t C. I dont C how this car carries a fast sounding name “Rinspeed” when it doesn’t look fast at all. :p

03/03, 2:12 PM

posted by:

beatusmongous

Rinspeed is wild. I like the outside, but the interior is too crazy even for me. For one, how would you be able to see out the front window with that green reflection?

If they produce it, the interior will most likely be dumbed down.

 
 
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