Concept cars are all about thinking out of the box and designing something that is both cool and special. It is about being one of a kind, and if you can be that special and also help the planet go green, then it is all the more better. It is interesting to note that concept cars these days are scarcely coming out using a conventional engine that burns fossil fuel. Every concept car designer feels that their vehicle runs on a super-charged electric engine, but the problem is that we just do not have such efficient electric engines yet!
The car designed by Andrei Franca has as its concept the replacement of the usual car wheels for spheres, allowing the Peugeot 360 to increase agility and freedom in small spaces in urban centers. The are three domes, with an electric engine each, independent and synchronized by a board computer that is responsible for the control of the three spheres. Each engine provides traction to a group of pulleys, disposed on two directions, with each group of pulleys guiding a sphere. The suspensions are directly connected to the pulleys that fix the spheres on the ground.
Additionally, the three small spheres are distanced by a 120 degree angle each, horizontal planned and centralized in the sphere, which as a result, will remain at the dome. The car has a total of three seats. The two in the front have access to the central joystick that controls the vehicle. To allow a 360-degree turn, the joystick moves around its axis. Moving the vehicle sidelong is a much easier way to park it. The whole thing truly looks out of this world, and the LCD monitor instead of rear-view mirror adds to the feel. The Peugeot 360 truly goes green with the concept and its execution, but now we will have to wait and see if it can ever get beyond the drawing board!
[Thanks: Andrei França]
