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BMW Lovos concept car gives you eco-friendly wings
Anne Forschner, a student of design at the Pforzheim University in Germany, proves that concept cars can be futuristic, sexy, and ecologically responsible. The Lovos (Lifestyle of Voluntary Simplicity) concept car, developed in conjunction with BMW, offers an aggressive design highlighted by a series of "scales" wrapping the entire car.
The function of the solar photovoltaic panels, each one interchangeable, would be to operate as solar cells when flipped around thus collecting energy for the vehicle's electric motor. The panels would also act as a new kind of air brake, aerodynamically slowing the car down with an organic-style flip of its feathers. Some concepts are just wild fantasies, but the Lovos really needs to become a reality.
Via AutoBlogGreen
By futureoptimist at 5:53 AM ON 10/02/09
Why not instead of using the solar photovoltaic panels just develop the solar photovoltaic ink that is being developed into a paint that can be applied and turn the whole vehicle into a solar cell? Of course you would want to do it in sections throughout the vehicle and have it managed by a computer in the event of a failure or collision so the remaining sections would continue to be operational and do it for a fraction of the cost and add only a fraction of the weight to the vehicle?
Check it out:
By korben at 7:45 AM ON 10/02/09
dude, that's a shameless plug if I ever saw it. I only have one thought when it comes to this car, that is precipitation. Particually, SNOW. Just imagine trying to get a few inches of the stuff off that car. It could just flip it off, but electric mini motors and hydralics would be crap in cold weather. Maybe if htis was a solid surface that broke out into panels and not paels trying to make a surface, it would work.
By polymath at 11:30 AM ON 10/02/09
This is a pretty sweet idea. But its really going turn heads if this thing preens at stop lights like a parrot between flights. I can honestly say that if the car next to me suddenly ruffled its "feathers / scales" before driving off it it would freak me the hell out. It'd be cool, but unsettling none the less.
By futureoptimist at 3:23 PM ON 10/02/09
@ korben
Shameless plug or not I have no affiliation with konarka, however, cheap, efficient, and green vehicles are what the consumers, the economy, and the planet need right now. Sure this sounds like it'll look really cool and probably perform great but I think the saying that less is more applies very well in this situation.
By Withidread at 6:51 PM ON 10/02/09
Snow is one thing, but ice is an entirely different thing. I can just imagine the little mechanisms that move those scales failing when the scales are all frozen together.
Also, in my opinion the scales make it look terrible. Those headlights aren't any better.
By Spaceresearcher at 6:58 PM ON 10/02/09
I'm afraid the word 'sexy' does not come to mind at all when I look at this hideous car. I enjoy angles on a car but turning it into something that would fit in the movie, 'The cars that ate paris', is downright rediculous.
All said and done, the cost to build this vehicle will surely outweigh even the yuppiest of people with cash to burn for a just for hell of it value interest.
By zarchitect at 4:10 PM ON 10/03/09
I'll call it "BMW Post-It 950" Interesting idea - kinda' silly looking - headlights too - or are those someone's lost diamond earrings?
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zarchitect:
I'll call it "BMW Post-It 950" Interesting idea - kinda' silly looking - headlights too - or are those someone's l...More »