Rinspeed eXasis Full Story With Specs and Details
"Glass" concept car to mark Rinspeed's 30th birthday - 40 years after Bayer's first "all-plastic" car
SEE ALSO: Additonal Rinspeed "eXasis" Fotos
Zumikon / Leverkusen – "There's never been anything like it" were
the words
used in the online edition of an acclaimed international news magazine to
describe its editor's reaction when the first sketches of the new Rinspeed
concept car, "eXasis", appeared on the Internet, "and it looks like no
other
vehicle before it". In fact, the illustrations could only hint at what
Swiss
automotive visionary Frank M. Rinderknecht had thought up in collaboration
with
the experts from Bayer MaterialScience AG – one of the largest
plastics
producers in the world – to mark his company's 30th anniversary: a
drivable
"glass" car with a completely transparent body and floor made of Makrolon®.
Once
again, this Rinspeed creation has been built by the Swiss engineering
specialists Esoro, and will be shown to the public for the first time at
the
Geneva Motor Show (March 8-18, 2007), 40 years after Bayer presented the
first
"all-plastic car" at the K67 Plastics Fair in Germany in 1967.
"Everyone who sees the eXasis for the first time raves about the glass car,
but
they actually mean our transparent high-tech plastic," says Ian Paterson,
the
member of the Bayer MaterialScience Board of Management responsible for
Innovation, describing the typical reaction to the prototype. "Many people
only
talk about innovation. We do it, in conjunction with our partners." In
fact,
nearly all the Bayer MaterialScience business units were involved in the
development of the concept car, providing products such as surface coatings
and
polyurethanes (for molding tools). but it was the plastics experts from BMS
with
their Makrolon® polycarbonate who were responsible for the transparency of
the
eXasis. Frank M. Rinderknecht: "In this ethereal transparency, the true
spirit
of the eXasis becomes visible. An abstract idea becomes material, visions
become
a tangible car. Yet the eXasis still doesn't seem to have quite arrived in
our
material world."
So is it just a clever 3D projection, a fata morgana or perhaps a
four-wheel
‘objet d'art’? In any case, the third vehicle to emerge from
the cooperation
between the two companies differs fundamentally from the other two: the
futuristic-looking "Senso" and the pure-blooded "zaZen" sports car. The
eXasis
is a completely new development, in other words it is not based on a
production-line vehicle. The insect-like, shiny yellow body with the
exposed
wheels looks like a mix of the legendary Auto-Union racing cars from the
first
half of the last century and an off-road vehicle, offering room for two
people,
one behind the other. The reinterpretation of the frequently cited cigar
form is
crowned in the "sexy" rear section with an attractively integrated
ventilator
and a superb matching, highly polished Remus exhaust muffler. And the
transparency also provides an unrestricted view of the compact 2-cylinder
750
ccm Weber engine, which, very unusually, sits above the transmission.
The eXasis is a real eye-catcher with nothing to hide. The outer Makrolon®
shell, molded by the Swiss firm Mecaplex and coated with a tinge of yellow
by
the German hard coatings specialist, KRD, reveals the vehicle's
load-bearing
aluminum chassis. The chassis looks as if it has been cut from a solid
piece of
material, and in fact the bulkheads are. Despite this, the entire
construction
exudes a sense of lightness like bamboo, underlined by a Lesonal chrome
effect
finish based on Bayer MaterialScience's Desmodur® and Desmophen®. To finish
the
surfaces of the knobs and levers, the Bayer experts came up with a special
soft-feel coating based on waterborne binders - their sole aim being to
pamper
the eyes and hands of the driver.
The two occupants sit in special seats designed in cooperation with Recaro.
Each
seat consists of twelve transparent Makrolon® ribs – the same number
as a human
being has. The head restraint and armrests are made of transparent
Technogel®.
The Hightex/Sellner Group, which is specialized in interior design, was
responsible not only for the futuristic seat coverings and the design of
the
fabric-covered steering wheel, it has also added a number of other stylish
highlights. One example is the innovative application of aluminized glass
fiber
material with a diamond-shape design on the wheel rims, trim, wishbones,
fuel
tank and headlamps.
The two transparent indicator and function displays are an absolute
delight,
both technically and optically. They seem to hover on both sides in the
driver's
field of vision. By touching them, various functions can be displayed and
controlled. Each of the touch-panels is made of a transparent CD/DVD
Makrolon®
blank that has been coated with electrically conductive Baytron® from H.C.
Starck to trigger the switch functions. The displays were developed by the
Swiss
safety and closure system specialists, Kaba. The personalized access system
to
the car is also be integrated in the touch panels.
The "eXasis" is powered by an extremely lightweight, 150 bhp Weber engine
driven
by CO2-emission-reducing bioethanol. In view of the fact that the car
weighs
only 750 kg because of its lightweight plastic construction, one horsepower
has
to shift only 5 kg – and that is about the same as a very nippy
Porsche.
Rinspeed was also able to persuade some state-owned companies and
government
departments to become involved in the eXasis project. The fuel is provided
by
Alcosuisse, the profit center of the Swiss Alcohol Board, while the Swiss
Federal Office of Energy has chosen the eXasis to take part in a study on
the
subject of lightweight construction and ecology. More information on
bioethanol
and Germany's first fuel station brand for environmentally friendly fuels
can be
found on the Internet at biofuel24.de.
To transfer all this power to the road, the KW chassis specialists have
accommodated the tailor-made spring and shock absorber units vertically in
the
front in the partition wall and horizontally at the rear. The tires are
Pirelli's 22-inch High-Performance P Zero, mounted on forged five-spoke
wheels
manufactured by the German wheel maker, AEZ. Here too, attention to detail
is
evident: the wheels are decorated with transparent "inlays" of Makrolon®
that
look like small windows.
Despite the attractive sweeping contours that blend smoothly into the car's
transparency, the eXasis is ‘edgy’ and definitely has a
character of its own.
But everybody who has the pleasure of driving it is agreed on one thing:
glancing down through the transparent floor while the car is moving gives a
very
special kind of thrill…
Swiss made
Esoro
Frank M. Rinderknecht used highly advanced technology and a Swiss-based
network
of top automotive specialists for his project. Although there is no
automobile
production in Switzerland, there is a very active automotive supply
industry
there. Many highly innovative prototypes have been developed and
manufactured in
Switzerland. engineered by Esoro - What you dream is what you get.
For the eighth time the Swiss engineering company
Esoro was hired to serve as general contractor for the entire vehicle
project. Esoro was responsible for project management, implementation of
new
technologies, engineering, design and manufacturing of the Rinspeed
“eXasis”.
Esoro realized the concept with the help of its highly competent suppliers
Schwaller AG (chassis),
Weber Motor /
Swissauto (engine) and
Protoscar (styling). Starting with initial concepts, it took the highly
skilled development team just six months to realize the entire project.
Esoro has been a contract developer in the areas of automotive production,
lightweight design and plastics technology for 16 years. During this time
it has
gained a well-deserved reputation for excellent efficiency and innovative
solutions not just in these but also in other fields, including fuel-cell
vehicles and prototype design. Esoro has impressively demonstrated its
expertise
with numerous extraordinary prototypes.
Another recent development from Esoro is the new
E-LFT production technology developed for Weber Fibertech. E-LFT makes
large
scale production of high-strength and lightweight composite parts
affordable. E-LFT
composite parts weigh 30-50 percent less than comparable steel parts. The
tailgate of the new smart fortwo is actually produced with our E-LFT
technology.
Furthermore another production process for niche markets, like high
performance
cars, trucks and caravans is now introduced by ESORO to several
OEM’s. The new
and patented process called
Melt Embossing does offer the possibility to produce high end
thermoplastic
composite parts with low initial invest for structural and semi-structural
applications. Esoro is able to offer the entire service starting from
topological optimization and explicit FE calculations trough to the
delivery of
the serial parts.
eXasis - why the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) is involved in
this
project
The
SFOE is interested in the eXasis concept for two main reasons: The
vehicle
is energy-efficient thanks to its lightweight construction and it is
powered by
renewable energy.
The most effective way to cut a motor vehicle’s fuel consumption is
to reduce
its body weight, and this in turn gives rise to other weight reductions:
Lighter
vehicle - lighter components - smaller and lighter engine.
Effects of improvements:
Nature of improvement | Reduction of fuel consumption in % |
Weight reduction by 1% | - 0.7% |
Reduction of air resistance by 1% | - 0.25% |
Reduction of rolling resistance by 1% | - 0.27% |
Increase in engine efficiency | Equivalent reduction of fuel consumption |
The SFOE is of course
well
aware that the eXasis can never be brought onto the commercial market.
However,
components and assemblies based on its technology can certainly help cut
fuel
consumption. Viewed in this light, eXasis can function as a demonstration
platform for lightweight (i.e. energy-efficient) components such as: seats,
body
panels and fenders.
The second reason for the SFOE’s involvement in this project concerns
the fuel
the vehicle uses: E85. This is a mixture comprising 15 percent petrol and
85
percent ethanol. Ethanol is a renewable bio-fuel that is largely CO2
neutral
when burned. In the future it will become especially attractive once it can
be
marketed as a second-generation bio-fuel (i.e. use of the entire plant
instead
of just its fruit). Thanks to its high octane level, E85 can also be used
in
engines with a high compression ratio, and this in turn increases the
engine’s
level of efficiency.
Reduction of CO2 with bioethanol
By signing the protocol of Kyoto,
Switzerland engaged to reduce the emission of climate affecting gas.
Our law
on CO2 requires that the emissions up to the year 2010 get reduced for 10 %
compared with 1990. The use of bioethanol as fuel may be a contribution to
reach
this objective. During its project Etha+, Alcosuisse – a profit
centre of the
Swiss Alcohol Board – analyses the use and the competitive ability of
ethanol
blended petrol in Switzerland.
Bioethanol means ethyl alcohol obtained by fermentation of sugars in
plants. The
chemical formula of bioethanol is the same as for traditional ethanol
(C2H5OH).
Ethanol may only be named as bioethanol if it is produced from vegetable
raw
material like for example wood, beets, corn and grass. These renewable
energy
sources we know also as biomass.
Concerning the production and use of bioethanol as a fuel, Brazil is
probably
the most advanced country. There, bioethanol takes 22 % of the fuel needs.
In
the USA, more than 10 % of petrol is blended with more than 10 %
bioethanol. In
Sweden, the petrol that is blended with 5 % bioethanol gets distributed by
the
normal cannels and without any special label at the filling station.
Unleaded petrol as a blend with 5 % bioethanol reduces the emission of CO2
for
about 3.5 % to 4.0 % per litre petrol replaced by bioethanol. That means
there
is a reduction of 1.6 kg to 1.8 kg CO2 emission. As long as the ethanol is
produced only from renewable raw materials the production lasts CO2
neutral. The
emission of greenhouse gas during the production and combustion of
bioethanol
get compensated by the plant's CO2 intake during its growth.
Several studies allowed express by concrete figures the reduction of CO2
emissions. Unleaded petrol blended with 5 % bioethanol provides for savings
of
1.3 litres crude oil and 2.4 kg CO2equiv per added litre bioethanol on the
same
power density. If the total of Swiss petrol consumption was replaced by
ethanol
blended petrol, we reached an annual reduction of CO2 greenhouse gas
emissions
for over 600'000 tons.
However, from the production surplus from potatoes, grain, sugar beets and
whey,
there could be produced 45 million litre bioethanol today. This corresponds
to
900 million litre petrol blended with 5 % bioethanol. That means about a
fifth
of the Swiss petrol consumption.
Due to the high labour costs and several legal regulations to be met, the
prime
costs in Switzerland are much higher than for example in Brazil. That's
why, for
an inland production of bioethanol, a protection by customs or contingents
especially during the starting phase would be necessary. This might be
difficult
to agree with the current economic policy and the existing trade
agreements. So,
for politic and economic reasons it seems obviously to import the
bioethanol. If
this is also ecologically efficient, is undecided.
Actually, the largest part of bioethanol that is used for fuel purpose in
Switzerland is produced by Borregaard Schweiz AG in Attisholz. The ethanol
is
obtained by fermentation of a by-product of the cellulose production. The
raw
material of this Swiss Bioethanol for fuel purpose is wood.
A word from our technical partners
AEZ Leichtmetallräder - The Company
With sales in excess of 1,500,000 units worldwide
AEZ is the top wheel producer and leader in the European passenger car
aftermarket. AEZ has managed to remake its image, going from classic wheel
manufacturer to leading image brand in less than a decade. AEZ owes its
success
to impressive designs, speed in innovation, top quality standards and
strong
customer service.
AEZ’s impressive product portfolio ranges from classic designer
wheels to
exclusive more-section designs, including wheels for SUV and off-road
vehicles.
AEZ is one of the few manufacturers world-wide to offer a new generation of
super-light wheels. Lite tec® wheels are lighter than any other alloy
wheels,
made by either heat treating the wheel or by applying a rotation forging
process
to the wheel dish or other high-tech techniques. The lighter the wheel dish
is
in relation to the wheel spider, the less sluggish the wheel is. The result
is
improved acceleration and braking ability, as well as optimised handling
and
greater driving comfort. AEZ Lite tec® weighs between 20 and 35 percent
less
than normal alloy wheels. The wheels fitted on the Rinspeed eXasis are
especially developed for this vehicle but based on the 3-piece forged Lite
tec®
wheel AEZ Nemesis which will be available for the public from March
2007.
The future runs on Biofuel24
Europe’s professional conversion specialist for bioethanol E85. More
power,
significantly reduced CO2 emissions.
Biofuel24 is one of the first professional conversion specialists in
Europe
for bioethanol (E85). Bioethanol made from renewable raw materials has been
established for a long time in Brazil and Sweden. E85 is a blend of 85%
ethanol
and 15% petrol. It is possible to produce E85 in an environmentally
compatible
way from sugar beet or by fermenting wood. Combustion is largely CO2
neutral.
The control units from Biofuel24 allow any vehicle fitted with a petrol
engine
to be converted to this environmentally friendly technology - from the
older
Euro1 LDV through to the future Euro5 vehicles. Depending on the vehicle
type,
the consumption only goes up by a mere 1 to 2 litres/100 km. Thanks to the
high
octane number of 110 ROZ, the engine performance is boosted; for example in
the
Rinspeed eXasis it increases by up to 20%. A Biofuel24 conversion to E85
thus
also takes car tuning enthusiasts into account. In other words, protecting
the
environment can also be an absolutely fun thing to do.
Biofuel24 is
a conversion, shop and filling station concept, which entails converting
conventional vehicles to environmentally friendly technology. Even by the
end of
this year, Europe will have 50 Biofuel24 service stations. By 2020, over
1300
such service stations are planned throughout Europe, where diesel engines
will
be converted to vegetable oil, and petrol engines to gas or bioethanol E85.
At
the same time, fuels and sensible, tested technology for saving fuel will
be
offered. By way of example, larger belt pulleys for alternators, which,
according to a test by the German Association for Technical Inspection
(GTÜ)
save a good half litre of fuel. According to a large-scale test, regional
buses
fitted with the Biofuel24 pulley save up to 3.5 litres over 100 km, whilst
in
taxis, the consumption is reduced in short-distance driving by up to 1.5
litres
per 100 km. Biofuel24 thinks further than others. By entering into a
long-term
cooperation with a leading catering chain, as well as primary raffinate,
Biofuel24 can also offer recycled vegetable oil, which is centrifuged,
filtered
and processed into fuel all at the same location. Upon request, particulate
filters can also be retrofitted. CO2 neutral fuel from biomass, not from
foodstuffs, is what Biofuel24 dreams of.
Do nature a favour. Faster. Saab BioPower is a bright innovation
Saab BioPower is a bright innovation. Fill up with renewable bioethanol
and
you’ll get even more performance. At the same time you help to reduce
fossil CO2
emission by up to 80 per cent. If bioethanol is not available you can
simply
fill up with petrol, or any mix of the two. The Saab 9-5 BioPower is a new
model
for you to choose from. Drive it on bioethanol and output grows. So
you’ll enjoy
faster acceleration, better response and even more driving excitement.
Strähle+Hess / Oesterle SLR / SC Schäfer, a Member of the Hightex / Sellner
Group
Hightex/Sellner is a medium-sized group of companies in the area of
"high-quality car interior equipment". Our expertise for crucial details in
the
car interior provides the perfect appearance for the total product as a
tangible
entity between technology, nature and human being.
Under the leadership of the renowned Swiss design- and concept creator
Rinspeed
and the Hightex / Sellner Group, who are the experts regarding innovative
and
unusual design concepts using novel materials and surfaces, the interior
concept
was created with a vision of a holistic approach where shape- and design
language act as catalysts for the design of a specific world.
The “eXasis”: Through the interaction of all materials used,
which primarily
exhibit light, transparency and permeability, we transfer the viewer to a
new
level of sensuality. For the selection of materials, we go back to the
origins
of textile creation. The outer and inside worlds (Exterior and Interior)
merge
into a single unit. The materials smoothly blend and fuse into a new
statement
of “you” on a high level by abandoning their own
“identity”.
Textile: Since materials are noticed much more strongly by the senses, we
decided upon a seat construction made from mesh and metal fibers. The
knitted
metal leans on a distant era, which sends us on a time journey back to the
origin of humanity.
Lacquered textiles: The glass-fiber coated elements on the in- and outside
suggest precision and freshness. We selected a striking pattern of
lacquered
filigree diamond-shapes that emphasizes the value and authenticity of the
textiles. The three-dimensionality that is apparent throughout the fabric,
defines the "textile" characteristics.
Materials backed-up with Technogel (for head restraint and armrest): Our
“better-being” technology is an innovation. Its characteristics
are the
“casting” of textiles in Technogel; this promises an
extraordinary experience
regarding optics and touch.
Steering wheel: The unusual “steering wheel” is encased by
knitted metal. In
addition to the fun factor, the characteristic of a joystick patched with
metal
contains conveys “a pure message for your skin”.
The "undercover": Being the little brother of eXasis,
“undercover” has yet to
gain his own reputation. He disassociates himself from the airiness of his
brother and longs to be “earth-linked”. The color concept of
"earth-brown shades
with sun-yellow highlights” conveys a feeling of honesty and
intensity. Here,
the transparency of eXasis reverses into self-sustained, dense material
concepts.
The composition of “undercover” is based on geometry, i.e. on
rational-mathematical spheres. As a result, it is not surprising that the
interior expresses clear forms such as diamond shapes and circles, thus
creating
different spaces “within the room".
As a connecting element, the "better-being" materials of eXasis are further
developed for “undercover” to form decorative and rational
details in the
vehicle.
Seats (made from brown leather with diamond-shaped stitching): The highly
aesthetic and extremely comfortable seats are styled from leather and
feature a
combination of stitching and diamond-shapes. Accents are set through fancy
stitching in sun-yellow shades that is positioned in an unusual way. This
combination idea reoccurs in the door lining. Here, elegant trimmings and
applications, also made from lacquered glass-fiber, create a scenery of
aesthetics and opulence and skillfully set colored accents.
Roof lining: The roof lining is eye catching due to the concept of
combining
diamond-shapes and circles. Here, "gel pads" cross the area of roof lining
and
storage-space cover in a sleek circle. The circular theme continues
downwards,
into the armrest and to the floor area.
Total Access to eXasis
Rinspeed AG is presenting another of its legendary concept cars at this
year's Geneva Motor Show: the "Rinspeed eXasis". This transparent car
combines
state-of-the-art materials with futuristic design. As the icing on the
cake,
project partner
Kaba has supplied Rinspeed with an exciting new technology.
Thanks to Kaba technology, Rinspeed AG's new concept car can only be used
by
authorized drivers. The driver is identified by touch and personally
welcomed.
In itself, this is not revolutionary, but the technology goes much further.
The
functions on the completely transparent dashboard can be adapted to suit
the
preferences of every authorized driver. What is more, the operational
functions
are personalized by user. This means that every "button" in the car can be
programmed individually for each authorized driver.
As a result of the Kaba technology integrated into the "Rinspeed eXasis",
the
equipment can only be used by people with the required authorization. This
is
activated by a chip that is integrated into the identification medium and
that
sends tiny signals through the human body to a recognition unit. This
provides
absolutely personalized access combined with the greatest possible
convenience.
This Kaba technology may open up incredible opportunities for the future.
Think
about it: Car theft is massively reduced since vehicles equipped with this
technology are totally immobilized until an authorized driver is sitting
behind
the wheel. Computers start up with personalized settings only when touched
by
the authorized user. Medicine cabinets only stay open as long as they are
being
touched by an authorized person. Otherwise they remain locked. Homes are
made
safer for children by programming equipment such as ovens so that only
adults
can switch them on, or by ensuring that balcony doors or windows remain
locked
for children.
With this contribution to Rinspeed's latest concept car, the "eXasis", Kaba
is
once again demonstrating its worldwide technological leadership. Its
visionary
system approach proves that access control is about more than just opening
doors.
The Kaba Group is a market leader in the worldwide security industry. Kaba
provides innovative and comprehensive solutions that ensure security,
organization and convenience in a wide variety of access situations and in
the
recording of personal and enterprise data. The group employs around 10,000
people in more than 60 countries. Thanks to its longstanding Total Access
Strategy, Kaba is also a leader in the development and distribution of
innovative identification technologies. For example, in 1990 Kaba broke new
ground with the introduction of its LEGIC RIFD technology. This technology
is
now used every day by more than 70 million people in more than 50,000
installations.
High-tech KW coilover kit „Made in Germany“
The transparent Rinspeed creation „eXasis“ shows the normally
hidden working
suspension technology of
KW automotive GmbH.
For the latest Rinspeed concept car a high-tech coilover kit was developed
by
the KW engineers. The suspension is individually adjustable according to
the
needs of the driver. High-strength aluminium coilover struts with patented
KW
damping technology of the Variant 3 are made for a maximum performance with
low
weight. The individual performance can be optimal adjusted by a separate
rebound
and compression damping adjustment. This KW coilover kit offers high-tech
from
motorsport with individual adjustment to the demanding driver.
KW automotive GmbH is one of the leading manufacturers for premium
suspensions
in small series worldwide. The Swabian company offers a complete suspension
range from motorsport to street use to all their customers worldwide
– from
sports springs and sport suspension kits to KW coilover kits
“inox-line” in
three damping variants to KW competition race suspension kits.
Research and development are part and parcel at the headquarters in
Fichtenberg/Germany.
More than one third of the 120 employees are working on the research of new
damping technologies and the development of new and innovative products for
the
KW suspension program as well as customers and industry orders. Since the
end of
2006 the KW R&D team gets support from a high-tech hydraulic 7-post
rig.
KW automotive Group employs worldwide more than 200 employees in five
different
subsidiaries - and this with upward trend.
Mecaplex Ltd
Company profile: The transparencies and aerostructure company
Mecaplex Ltd, founded in 1948, employs 80 specialists for the
aeronautical
industry. The manufacturing program reaches from the windshield of a Very
Light
Aircraft or a small Light Lens up to the stable 30 mm thick windshield of a
Fighter Aircraft. Optical quality and order processing are certified to
aerospace standards.
Main products made of acrylic glasses or polycarbonate: windshields,
canopies,
cabin windows, wing tip lenses, taxi light covers.
Specialities: laminated hybrid glasses, windshields with integrated
heating,
transparencies with hard coatings.
Activities: development and definition of canopies and complete systems,
manufacture of certified acrylic glasses, production of aircraft structural
assemblies, repair / replacement and overhaul of windshield- and cabin
–
assemblies.
Certifications:
ISO
9001:2000, EASA Part 21 Section A, Subpart G
Pirelli Tyre (Europe) SA
A company with
a
great industrial heritage, for over a century
Pirelli Tyre has developed as a truly international enterprise, deeply
rooted in the diverse national markets. Pirelli Tyre is the world’s
fifth
largest operator in terms of turnover on the tyre markets. The Pirelli
Tyre’s
production capability is divided among 24 factories around the world. The
commercial structure covers all the principal geographic markets and
reaches
over 160.
Pirelli focus on high and ultra –high performance products that aim
to combine
notable level of stability and safety in all driving conditions. Benefiting
from
the continual transfer of experience accumulated in competition, Pirelli
Tyre
provides solutions, such as the PZero family- capable of satisfying the
demands
of the most sporting clientele.
Pirelli has always devoted constant attention and significant resources to
innovation. The MIRS (Modular Integrated Robotized System) is one
significant
example for a highly robotized system to operate most efficacies
production.
Another milestone is the new developed relationship with Rinspeed eXasis
starting in February 2007. In Hall 1/ Booth 1210 Pirelli will be present
with
its latest innovation of the P ZERO Tyre , a relaunch of the PIRELLI wheel
and
the wide product range , aiming to support Rinspeed with its future
projects.
„eXasis“ - a question about hovering or sitting
Rinspeed explores a new path of automobile development with its concept car
„eXasis“. In this new project the Swiss car refiner
dematerializes the vehicle
almost completely. The transparent concept car seems to vanish - as if it
does
not belong to our world. A reflection of the development process of
vehicles,
showing how visions turn into the proverbial material (the car to
touch).
The seat has a special purpose as the material between the passenger and
the
car. As an original pioneer of automobile seating,
Recaro focuses on a seat shell reminding on a backbone carcass made of
makrolon®, a “flying” fabric cover and a head rest cushion made
of transparent
Technogel. Due to the hovering bolster, the seat adapts itself
automatically to
the body shape of the passenger. The interior abducts the passenger to a
new
world. Usual sitting turns into relaxed sitting, even more - to
hovering.
In the past and for the future Recaro will remain a pioneer and market
leader in
seat manufacturing regarding quality, safety and innovation in the
automobile
supplier industry and in the eyes of the consumers.
About the company: Recaro is an independent company in the internationally
active Keiper Recaro Group which operates at a total of 34 locations
world-wide.
About 8,000 people are employed in the three divisions Keiper, Recaro und
Recaro
Aircraft Seating in the manufacture of high quality products in the field
of
mobile seating for vehicles and aircraft. The group achieved sales of about
one
billion Euro in 2005.
Recaro has a long tradition. Founded in 1906 by the master saddler Wilhelm
Reutter – initially as a body factory -, Recaro can look back over a
100-year
company history. Reuter produced bodies for vehicles such as the Porsche
356, VW
Beetle, BMW 328, Horch and many other well-known makes. The Recaro brand
evolved
from REutter and CAR body. The first Recaro sports seat was presented in
1965.
After the merger with the Keiper company in 1969, Recaro operated as an
independent member of the Keiper Recaro family and is constantly redefining
mobile seating with revolutionary innovations.
Remus Innovation - profile
Remus Innovation research and exhaust-production ltd. was founded in
September 1990. With a staff of only five and a lot of good ideas the
styrian
company started its story of success.
Remus
expanded rapidly and became the world market leader amongst the
manufacturers of
sportexhausts for cars and motorcycles after only five years. Furthermore
the
company established itself as a well known partner of the automotive
industry in
the field of exhaust systems.
Nowadays well known companies from the tuning branch like Abt, Brabus,
Irmscher
and Zender as well as partners from the automotive industry like Daimler
Chrysler, VW, Volvo, Porsche, Opel, Ford, Seat, Renault, Mitsubishi, Ducati
and
Buell count on the know how of the exhaust specialists from Austria. More
than
90 percent of the production volume get exported to more than 60 countries
world
wide with an increasing tendency.
In summer 2002 the new research and development center was put into
operation to
ensure and enlarge the leading position on the world market. In autumn 2006
a
new production facility with 5.000 square meter enlarged the entire
production
area up to 17.000 square meter for about 350 employees.
The latest product of the company is the Remus diesel particle filter, a
particle filter for diesel-cars which is totally maintenance free and
essentially reduces the very health-endangering particles.
Sharp - the official multimedia partner for Rinspeed
The prominent Swiss design and engineering company Rinspeed is developing a
new
concept car, the eXasis, with LCD giant
Sharp. An exceptional car merits an exceptional viewing modality. And
Sharp
has achieved this with its new HD resolution TVs (full HDTV resolution with
progressive picture), which displays the ideas and characteristics of this
visionary vehicle with amazing clarity and detail.
Sharp worldwide: Sharp, which employs 55,000 worldwide, offers an extremely
broad range of electronic products and is the world market leader in the
LCD TV
and solar collector sectors, both of which are currently of pivotal
interest.
LCD technology and Sharp are virtually synonyms: Sharp has been in the
vanguard
of LCD technology every since the company launched its first LCD pocket
calculator back in 1973. And thus it’s no surprise that the latest
generation of
LCD TVs are from the Sharp factory in Kameyama II, Japan, which is one of
the
world’s most modern electronics production facilities. “Things
are just
beginning to happen on the European market. In view of the many tube TVs in
Europe that are set to be replaced by LCD TVs in the coming years, we feel
that
this market has massive growth potential. However, the 18 million LCD TVs
we
project will be sold in Europe in 2006 represent only a fraction of our
worldwide market volume,” noted Hans Kleis, Sharp’s CEO of all
European
subsidiaries and Operations.
Sharp sets its sights on the environment: Sharp’s strong commitment
to advanced
technology is more than matched by its commitment to environmental
stewardship,
a stance embodied by the fact that the European Commission recently
authorized
Sharp to use the EU’s coveted Eco label on its new LCD TVs. This is
the
thirtieth such product that has been granted this distinction, and it makes
Sharp the world’s only LCD vendor whose products boast this coveted
symbol of
environmental sensitivity.
Weber Automotive
Weber Automotive,
located in
Markdorf/Germany on the Lake of Constance, is an active international
supplier
to the automotive industry and consists of three varying product
divisions.
Albert Weber: Holding the core trade mark, Albert Weber has been an active
supplier of engine components to the automotive industry for more than 38
years.
Weber Fibertech: With its E-LFT process Weber Fibertech offers one of the
few
possibilities for the high volume manufacturing of crash resistant plastic
components.
Weber Motor: Development objectives by Weber Motor are based on the demand
of
modern engine technology for minimal weight, high specific performance and
vastly improved efficiency.
Rinspeed eXasis Powered by Weber Motor® MPE 750: Integrating such a
powerful
turbo charged engine into the Rinspeed product version eXasis was an
outstanding
technical challenge. Along with the minimized package and rear engine
position,
challenges are linked to the thermal and dynamic performance capability.
The
vehicle is capable with conventional gasoline as well as with Bio-Ethanol
(E85).
The answer to this technical challenge is to position the gear box
underneath
the engine. Thus an extremely short drive train is realized. This ensures,
in
combination with the small installation height of the turbo charged engine,
an
outstanding vehicle weight distribution. In respect to the dynamic
performance
capability the engine is also a sight for sore eyes: with turbo charging,
double
throttle body and intercooler a 110 kW (150 hp) engine with comparatively
low
7.000 rpm is accomplished. This engine’s performance is equivalent to
that of
147 KW/l (200 hp/l) engine. Every engine assembled in the Weber Motor
Manufacturing Center is done so according to highest quality standards.
This is
documented by the hand signed engine plate combined with the serial number
found
on each engine.
Measurements Length 3'700 mm Width 1'960 mm Height 1'284 mm Wheelbase 2’500 mm Track front 1’700 mm Track rear 1’700 mm Ground clearance 325 mm Empty weight approx. 750kg Vmax Top speed 210 km/h Acceleration 0-100 km/h approx. 4.8 sec Engine Engine family Weber Motor MPE 750 Turbo Displacement 750 ccm Stroke 66 mm Bore 85 mm Cylinders 2 Valves 4 Compression ratio 9:1 Power output 150 hp at 7500 /min Max. torque 150 Nm at 4500 /min Type of fuel Ethanol Propulsion Power train Rear wheel drive Gearbox Manual sequential Gears 6 Suspension Chassis Aluminium Body Plastic Seating capacity 2 - Recaro Innovation Front brakes 380 mm - 6 piston Rear brakes 355 mm - 4 piston Front suspension Double wishbone Rear suspension Double wishbone Dampers/springs KW automotive Steering Rack & pinion Tires Front tires 265/30-22 Front wheels AEZ 8.5 x 22“ Rear tires 295/25-22 Rear wheels AEZ 11 x 22“ All data without guarantee