Solo or Duo, Antro aims to give you a workout
Posted by Matt Kelly | Filed under EV, alternative transportation, biofuel, concept, hybrid
What weighs just 600lbs, reaches speeds of 80mph, gets 150 miles to the gallon and gives you a workout at the same time?
The Antro Solo, a hybrid solar- and gas-powered car from the Hungarian non-profit Antro.
Scheduled to arrive on european roadways in 2012 with a price tag of $18,000, the Solo can handle 10- to 15-mile local trips powered by the solar cells on the carbon fiber vehicle’s roof.
After that, drivers can rely on the gas- or ethanol-powered engine or they can power the generator themselves by pedaling. The founders of the futuristic auto company believe modern lifestyles are too sedentary; with the Solo, a short trip to the store can be a workout, too.
The Solo can also reduce CO2 emissions by three-quarters, compared with ordinary vehicles. And a six-passenger version is in the works: the Duo, which can be broken down into two separate cars in 10 minutes.
Specifics include:
*the SOLO seats three passengers
*the DUO seats six passengers
*very lightweight and streamlined configuration
*hybrid drive with renewable energies, running on vegetable oil and alcohol + electric motor
*solar cells on roof for charging the batteries
*supplementary drive by pedal-generator, the option of exercise during travel (fitnessmobile)
*use of only the electric motor + pedal drive at low speed, within residential areas (silent, 0 emissions)
*carbon fiber composite and magnesium alloy frame / body
*drive-by-wire control with driver sitting in the middle, in a frontal position