| Make
|
- |
| Model |
Space
Efficient Vehicle |
| Concept
year |
2008 |
| Production
year |
- |
| Engine |
small
IC engine |
The Space Efficient Vehicle (SEV) was a finalist in the
2008 Michelin Challenge Design, and was put on display
at the Detroit Motor Show.
|
The key point is that the SEV offers
a choice. |
 |
|
The Space Efficient Vehicle was created by a team from
the Netherlands. The vehicles inventor and project leader
Ralph Panhuyzen, and visual designer Steven van der Veen
who translated the design into detailed renderings.
The idea behind the SEV, as the name suggests, is to use
the space the vehicle takes up more efficiently. Realising
that the vast majority of vehicles carry just one person
on a regular basis Panhuyzen designed the SEV to reflect
this fact. The SEV has room for 3 people in total but
with little wasted space between. Sleek, lightweight vehicles
like the Space Efficient Vehicle have many advantages:
increased maneuverability, better fuel economy, lower
emissions, cheaper production, the ability to use the
existing infrastructure more efficiently and new design
options.
The SEV is based around a three wheel platform, two at
the front one at the rear, this offers a more stable platform
than the alternate configuration and gives the driver
a more car-like driving experience. Inside is seating
for three people with the seats staggered to increase
each occupants individual space.
Safety features includes a vehicle guidance and lane detection
system to help the driver maintain lane position, a low
center of gravity which keeps the vehicle stable, forward-located
engine and active damping keep body roll, lateral movement
and any oversteer tendency in check. This all combines
to make the SEV a handy runabout, a time- and money-saving
commuter vehicle, and a relaxing long-distance tourer.
Proposed power for the SEV could come from a fuel efficient
conventional engine offering somewhere in the range of
75 to 110 mpg.
|
|
