Okay, maybe not, but it is "bionic":
While the TV show was just make-believe, the bionic car is the real thing. And in this case, the word bionic is condensed from a quite recent field of scientific discipline called "biomimetics," which is derived from the words biology and mimesis (imitation).
Biomimetics is an interdisciplinary subject which combines engineering science, architecture and mathematics. The basic principle is to make nature's problem solutions usable for man. The reason is simple: Nature, through billions of years of trial and error, has produced effective solutions to innumerable complex real-world problems.
The bionic car averages 70 mpg and tops out at 84 on the highway, and it isn't even a hybrid. Its fuel efficiency is largely due to its aerodynamic design, based on the shape of a boxfish. Note that to reduce drag there are no side mirrors; that function is served by rear cameras.
It also apparently has plenty of room inside and puts off few emissions due to a system that converts nitrous oxide to nitrogen and oxygen.
Obviously I am really impressed by this, and I think the design is awesomely cute and weird, but I do wonder why they didn't go for the extra step of adding hybrid technology...just as I wonder why Toyota doesn't offer a Yaris hybrid.
It seems like automakers are focusing on bringing huge cars down to fuel efficiencies that already exist in small cars, and maxing midsize cars only to about 60 mpg. Do they think there's no market for the most fuel efficient vehicle possible? Is there some kind of rule that automakers have to step up the gas mileage gradually, to keep the oil companies from suddenly losing money?
Why, if we have the ability to go further, don't we go as far as we can?
(Maybe the change is coming, and it's just taking too long for my tastes. This article indicates that Toyota executives want to have hybrid versions of all their vehicles.)
I don't know if the bionic car will ever make it to market, but if it does I hope that by that time we are seeing gas mileages well past 100, and I hope that in order to keep up they will add hybrid or some other technology.
If all that comes to pass, maybe the car I buy after the Yaris will be a Mercedes Bionic ;>
I am, of course, interested in alternative fuels, flex fuel vehicles, and fuel cells too. (I'm still waiting for Mr. Fusion.)
5 comments:
That's a pretty cool car. I know you're interested in responsible and efficient cars, Hea, so I thought you might like to see these: http://www.smart.com/-snm-0164329964-1153205850-0000031904-0000002098-1153707628-enm-is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/mpc-uk-content-Site/en_UK/-/GBP/SVCPresentationPipeline-Start?Page=issite%3a%2f%2fmpc-uk-Site%2fmpc-uk%2ecom%2fRootFolder%2fsmart%2fhome%2epage
I saw a few of these in England, and had asked David what they were the minute I saw the first one. He told me about them. The first I saw was the smart fortwo, right outside of the Sheffield Botanical Gardens, then at MeadowhEll, we saw a roadster in the car park. The fortwo makes me think of you, Heather. They're VERY tiny things, I really honestly think a couple of guys could pick up a parked one and move it, no problem. Also, check out the smart ecology section, I think you'll be thrilled by it, it's definitely refreshing to read, and made ME pretty excited and hopeful for a much better matched future between responsible personal transportation, and the environment. :)
Bah,SORRY, try:
www.smart.com
and go from there. The cars I refer to in my previous comment are both UK cars.
hahaha, now that is a small car. If I didn't drive the interstate daily I'd want one ;>
It sounds like there's a story behind this "MeadowhEll". You must tell it to me sometime.
You'd be fine on the Interstate. People drive them on the motorways here.
I imagine something that small would be a death trap on a US interstate, what with all the freaking semis.
But maybe that's just me.
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