The Holy Grail of hydrogen...
The Holy Grail of hydrogen as a power source for cars has been revealed. Researchers at the Technical University of Denmark in Lyngby have unveiled an invention which is able to store hydrogen - a lighter-than-air, inflammable gas - in tablet form. It has taken them a year and a half to get to this stage, and if successfully developed could provide vehicle
Peugeot fans will have...
Peugeot fans will have a perfectly clear reason to visit the firm"s stand at this year"s Frankfurt Motor Show - they"ll be able to catch sight of the new transparent-topped Flux.
It"s the brainchild of 20-year-old Romanian student Mihai Panaitescu, who beat more than 4,000 hopefuls from 113 countries to become the youngest-ever winner of the French firm"s car design competition.
Mihai will not only receive a cheque for ÷£4,000, but he"ll also see his sketch come to life as a full-scale concept car to be exhibited at the German expo in September. It will feature as the star of an Xbox 360 game as well.
His entry caught the judges" eye thanks to its classy design and eco-friendly engine. All entrants were tasked with penning a car with the ability to "P.L.E.A.S.E" - which, the firm says, stands for "pleasure, lightness, efficiency, accessible, simplicity and environmentally-friendly". According to a Peugeot spokesman, Mihai"s winning design ticked all the right boxes.
"It stands out without being too ostentatious. The compact size makes it easy to use. Its classic design, combined with a sporty, modern feel, blends in perfectly with the urban landscape," he said. "The fuel cell engine also ensures a quiet driving experience."
Meanwhile, another car sporting a transparent finish and panoramic view is being prepared for its debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. And we have the latest picture of the new Rinspeed eXasis.
The Swiss firm collaborated with leading plastics maker Bayer to bring this concept to life. And it"s not only the screen that"s see-through - the body and floor are, too, so the driver and passenger, who sit in tandem, can really see the road flying by. Powered by a lightweight 150bhp Weber engine, it runs on eco-friendly biofuel.