New Euro: Riversimple

[Ingolstadtter]

www.riversimple.com

A friend of mine is one of the key members in starting Riversimple, which is a company producing the car seen above which was released in prototype yesterday which will be for sale (sort of) from 2012.

The car is the least damaging car to the environment from Well to Wheel by a long way using a combination of Hydrogen powered fuel cells and electric capacitors and the method employed to put the car in motion is far more efficient than any other type of vehicle (EV or otherwise) before it.

This car is more a demonstration of the technology employed to demonstrate the efficiency of the concept and more vehicles are planned to follow later.

Two very interesting things though about this is the way they intend to go forward:

first is they will not sell the car: they will lease it, but lease it including all running costs. This means that they have a responsibility to keep improving the car in order to keep their costs down: as the use of Hydrogen by the customer will be their problem. Is mentioned in there that this includes updates to the cars being made while in service. It also is considered how they can offer different mobility packages: larger engine for track work, supplementary engine for long distance travel, body add ons etc...

other thing about it is the Open Source Concept. The specs for the car will be on line and it means that you can follow it at home and like any other open source project you too can contribute to the overall design.

Is a very interesting project, as it is just the start of a whole new way of thinking, but I like the idea.

[davey]

Very intriguing project that.

Be interested to see how it goes!

[1M5]

hey, it's Speed Buggy! At least coupe style.

[Ingolstadtter]

Realising it's probably not on a scratch list with a B5 S4, an e36 M3 or a C36 it's maybe not the hottest topic here but I will keep posts on what is happening and for sure if anyone is interested in the Open Source side of things feel free to PM me.

That could be quite a fun project for aspiring designers and project builders. I am supporting them getting off the ground in Australia in a couple of various ways as I think it may be an interesting concept and there is certainly a lot of smart enough people to make things happen down under (rather than having all us in the Industry have to leave the country to get really stuck into it).

[matt_dumesny]

for sure, it's kind of cool to have close-ish access to someone involved in something like this, so make sure you keep the posts up.

funny looking thing though, reminds me of those cars in Austin Power - Gold Member

[e30reece]

no no they have it all wrong! people dont care about the environment first. its what makes them look good. make a green car that looks good and goes better than a v8 and you have your market.

[Ingolstadtter]

no no they have it all wrong! people dont care about the environment first. its what makes them look good. make a green car that looks good and goes better than a v8 and you have your market.

That exists already...
http://www.teslamotors.com/

This is something different. The prototype is to show how efficient the concept is, the idea is for you to go and tell them to put 8 fuel cells in it, make it twice and wide and then create your own racing version: and they'll help you do it.

In a round about way.

[bmw.e30.318i]

Sounds interesting. Don't know how successful it can be with humanity being the target group we have a bad habit of being dumb as general mass. Subscribed though.

[M Girl]

Without wanting to undo all the work I have done establishing my credibility as an engineer the girl in me has to say that is a very, very cute car!!! (go on, let the flaming begin!).

[MillRat]

How funk-a-fied does that car look!

Will there be a GT, GS, RS or CS version?

[Nath]

interesting stuff - even down to leasing the vechile - does warranty last the life of the lease?

keep updates rolling

[M Girl]

interesting stuff - even down to leasing the vechile - does warranty last the life of the lease?

keep updates rolling

Hi Nath,

Likewise, I think the lease arrangement as an incentive improve the efficiency of the vehicle over its life is a good idea. This is the first time I have seen this sort of approach and if it is still owned by the OEM then presumably they will then make the mod.

What is common in some industries that use specialised equipment is to include upgrades in the purchase contract for a specified number of years of the life of the equipment. This means that each time the OEM improves something, it comes to you to fit (generally the owner has to do it, not the OEM, but the factory provides instructions).

M Girl

[Ingolstadtter]

Warranty is irrelevant as the contract would be based on full maintenance.

Concept of the car is the technology is completely flexible, so can add bits and pieces for all sorts of things. Have had discussions about all sorts of concepts from long distance, weekend cars, and track vehicles.

Where I like it though is the technology is open and anyone can contribute, and use, other ideas. Racing fraternity could have a ball; add a couple of fuel cells, which is where this mob is very well set up, and all of a sudden the thing will fly.

It also has engines on each wheel; COG on a track set up using the same drvetrain could be a blast.

[Ingolstadtter]

http://www.theage.com.au/environment...0613-y5y5.html

an update. I am now in Melbourne (unofficially) and have gotten it all to a point where we (Australia) is now being considered as a major part of this activity. Without going into a lot of detail it is my wish for this to be the most important thing in the history of the Australian car Industry.

A guy from the Vic Government has been instrumental in aligning the Australian side and the chances are now we have a real chance to put Australia on the map: not just as production etc. but also as a real part of development, infrastructure, core componentry etc...

That was on page 3 of the Age this week: I am hoping what we achieve next week is on page 1.

[1M5]

good luck!