Air powered car.

[ACRucrazy]

Interesting

The first commercial car to be powered by compressed air could be about to hit the production lines, as Indian automaker Tata Motors prepares to build ex-Formula One engineer Guy Nègre's design. We're not certain if it's the same air car that we hit just under three years ago, but if it is, it's about time! The City Cat runs on nothing but compressed air -- which can be refueled at "air stations," and overnight using a built-in compressor -- with a not too shabby top speed of 68MPH and a range of 125 miles. The Air Car designers are working on a hybrid version that can compress air while it's operating, potentially making cross-India journeys possible: Toyota Prius, eat your hybrid heart out.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/27/indian-air-powered-city-cat-car-prepares-for-production-run/

http://www.gizmag.com/go/7000/

[Paul]

It's ugly but nice technology. I wonder how long it takes to fill the air tank?

[Gipper]

Moving "X" amount of weight.... at "X" mph.... for "X" distance, requires "X" amount of energy. Period. "You don't get something for nothing" Using compressed air is just another way of transmitting energy to the wheels. The only thing you're gaining is less (no) pollution form the tail pipe. However, I'm sure the coal fired power plant that generated the electricity which powered the compressor to "fill up" that car spewed out plenty of emissions.... but I'm FAR from a tree hugger so I could care less about that! The only difference with this car is..... instead of an on-board engine generating the required energy, a remote source is generating the energy and is being stored in the form of compressed air. Just like batteries store DC electricity. I find it hard to believe the components used to propel the car with compressed air are more efficient than a standard, mechanical drive train with a manual gear box.

Neat design but nothing special in my opinion.

[Speedfreak]

I saw one of the R&D motors for this in person in India(in the lab just after testing).. it was pretty awesome. It shows great promise, and I believe they are just getting started.

[kineda]

2beer needs one that runs on "gas"

[CorinthiansBlackGT]

Hooking up a huge air tank in my garage to solar powered and wind powered air compressors would leave me beating the gas prices!!!

Just paying 9.2 million for the panels and the fan... thats got me stumped.

[Fosters]

Moving "X" amount of weight.... at "X" mph.... for "X" distance, requires "X" amount of energy. Period. "You don't get something for nothing" Using compressed air is just another way of transmitting energy to the wheels. The only thing you're gaining is less (no) pollution form the tail pipe. However, I'm sure the coal fired power plant that generated the electricity which powered the compressor to "fill up" that car spewed out plenty of emissions.... but I'm FAR from a tree hugger so I could care less about that! The only difference with this car is..... instead of an on-board engine generating the required energy, a remote source is generating the energy and is being stored in the form of compressed air. Just like batteries store DC electricity. I find it hard to believe the components used to propel the car with compressed air are more efficient than a standard, mechanical drive train with a manual gear box.

Neat design but nothing special in my opinion.

werd. It is a novel idea tho. reminds me of the rumored HLA (Hydraulic launch assist) that the next gen Fseries were supposed to have... energy produced while you're braking stored into a compressed air cylinder, and using that to propel yourself off the line afterwards when you get going...

'course, the rumors didn't come true

[OrangeCrush 86]

Neat, but I doubt your standard air compressor would be able to fill that. To go that far I bet the tank is extremely high pressure.

[Newbomb Turk]

Tata motors??

[Fosters]

Tata motors??

I think it's the company that bought Aston Martin

[Gipper]

werd. It is a novel idea tho. reminds me of the rumored HLA (Hydraulic launch assist) that the next gen Fseries were supposed to have... energy produced while you're braking stored into a compressed air cylinder, and using that to propel yourself off the line afterwards when you get going...

'course, the rumors didn't come true

Regenerative braking is a real benefit from hydrostatic drive. I'm not sure if pneumatic wheel motors have the ability to become "pumps" like hydraulic motors do when they "charge" the accumulator during braking. The technology you mention on the F-series does exist. Eaton hydraulics in Eden Prairie, MN. helped develop the hydraulic circuit on the F-series and I know guys who have seen it in person. It does work! But, I'm sure cost was the determining factor why we never saw it on a production vehicle.

[Newbomb Turk]

I think it's the company that bought Aston Martin

I don't care if they own Ferrari, Porsche, and Lambo. That name kills me.

[Fosters]

Regenerative braking is a real benefit from hydrostatic drive. I'm not sure if pneumatic wheel motors have the ability to become "pumps" like hydraulic motors do when they "charge" the accumulator during braking. The technology you mention on the F-series does exist. Eaton hydraulics in Eden Prairie, MN. helped develop the hydraulic circuit on the F-series and I know guys who have seen it in person. It does work! But, I'm sure cost was the determining factor why we never saw it on a production vehicle.

aye, eaton was the name thrown around... sucks that didn't make it, would love to see the impact it had on both mpg and price... regenerative braking on hybrids is about the only thing I like about them right now...

[Max Power]

Turns out the Mayflower was air powered too!

We've come full circle.

[Gipper]

aye, eaton was the name thrown around... sucks that didn't make it, would love to see the impact it had on both mpg and price... regenerative braking on hybrids is about the only thing I like about them right now...

If I remember correctly, it damn near doubled the available torque during acceleration.