NationStates Jolt Archive


GM designs 200 mpg car.

greed and death
07-04-2009, 20:43
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2009-04-06-puma-segway-gm_N.htm

Well not exactly. More like a moped for people with no balance.
Khadgar
07-04-2009, 20:46
Would it not be better to have it enclosed?
Tsaraine
07-04-2009, 20:46
It's like a pocket Aptera! Cute.
Farnhamia Redux
07-04-2009, 20:48
This is a prime example of what's wrong with GM. Their stock goes from $70 to $4, they lose money hand over fist, and this is their Next Big Thing? Give me a break.
greed and death
07-04-2009, 20:48
Would it not be better to have it enclosed?

There is a roll cage all the benefits of enclosure little of the extra weight. Not to mention you enclose it people will want to run the heater or the AC, and the 200 mpg goes down the drain.
greed and death
07-04-2009, 20:49
This is a prime example of what's wrong with GM. Their stock goes from $70 to $4, they lose money hand over fist, and this is their Next Big Thing? Give me a break.

You said their problem was not enough MPG to compete with Europe or Japan.
Khadgar
07-04-2009, 20:50
This is a prime example of what's wrong with GM. Their stock goes from $70 to $4, they lose money hand over fist, and this is their Next Big Thing? Give me a break.
I'd buy one.

There is a roll cage all the benefits of enclosure little of the extra weight. Not to mention you enclose it people will want to run the heater or the AC, and the 200 mpg goes down the drain.

Didn't pay much attention to how fast it goes, but it'd be nice to be able to use it even if it was raining.
Farnhamia Redux
07-04-2009, 20:51
You said their problem was not enough MPG to compete with Europe or Japan.

No I didn't. :confused: Unless one of my other personalities did. :eek2:
greed and death
07-04-2009, 20:51
I'd buy one.



Didn't pay much attention to how fast it goes, but it'd be nice to be able to use it even if it was raining.
I think 35 miles per hour. Not recommended for interstates.
I am sure some optional pieces of clear plastic will get added.
Andaluciae
07-04-2009, 20:54
Wasn't It on South Park?

[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Entity_(South_Park)[/url]
greed and death
07-04-2009, 20:54
No I didn't. :confused: Unless one of my other personalities did. :eek2:

well my apologies many on the board feel that was GM mistake.
Ashmoria
07-04-2009, 20:54
looks like fun.
greed and death
07-04-2009, 20:56
Wasn't It on South Park?

*Gets idea*

*sues GM for copy right infringement*
*gets all of Union workers pay and benefits in out of court settlement*
*retires to an island with the GM CEO's*
Yenke-Bin
07-04-2009, 20:57
Does it come with a turret? Better yet!! Can I make it into a car and a helicopter? BETTER STILL!!! Can i make it into a helicar with a pie shooting turret????
greed and death
07-04-2009, 20:57
does it come with a turret? Better yet!! Can i make it into a car and a helicopter? Better still!!! Can i make it into a helicar with a pie shooting turret????

lg ?!?!!?
Yenke-Bin
07-04-2009, 21:03
lg ?!?!!?

Large?
Pure Metal
07-04-2009, 21:15
didn't Sinclair try something like this in the 80's?

this is cool though
They'd be used to test the vehicles and their on-board wireless communicators designed to keep them safely apart and even operate them while drivers do other tasks.
Vault 10
07-04-2009, 21:32
Would it not be better to have it enclosed?
Just remake the Peel P50, but use a modern engine this time. Just as small, but modern. And replace steel body panels with fiberclass or carbon fiber.

It will weigh even less (or allow to add some safety), do its 200mpg, and the best thing is, you'll still be able to use it in office buildings.

I picture a whole new generation of offices, microcar drive-ins, replacing the cubicles. Higher packing density, ultra-flexible layout, and you actually get a roof and a door unlike in a cubicle.
Vetalia
07-04-2009, 21:39
So...they basically put a windshield on a fucked-up wheelchair and not only that, but it only gets 35 miles per gallon more than a first-generation Prius? No wonder they're going bankrupt...
Vault 10
07-04-2009, 22:41
So...they basically put a windshield on a fucked-up wheelchair and not only that, but it only gets 35 miles per gallon more than a first-generation Prius? No wonder they're going bankrupt...
It's not a wheelchair, it's better.

The problem with wheelchairs is that they're too slow, and that takes all the fun out of driving when you know you can't crash.

This thing rather combines the luxuries of wheelchair interior with the thrills of Segway technology. Segway does the important thing for low-speed transportation: puts the danger back in - if the electronics and software keeping it stable have the smallest glitch, you go headfirst into the nearest wall and die. In this nanny-state world where you can't be hurt by crashes below the speed limit, and can't go above it, Segway offers a true salvation.

The roll cage included here rather makes the crashes more safe, taking some fun out, but you still can hope to at least crack your head over the rollcage. Imagine how exciting Windows Vista would be if it worked like that!
New Russian Forces
07-04-2009, 22:55
Vault10 is in a wheel chair.