By Chuck Woodbury
EDITOR
This is just too much for my aging brain to easily accept. A new car has been unveiled in Europe that has no roof, no side windows and no windshield. Geez — I’m still trying to grasp the idea of cars that drive themselves!
The vehicle I am talking about uses an “active air management system” — a world’s first, according to a news release — to direct air up and around the cabin to envelop the driver in what the company refers to as a “turbulent free zone” or a “bubble of calm.”
Sounds like the “Cone of Silence?” Remember that? Hint: Maxwell Smart.
It’s powered by an 804-horsepower turbocharged V8 engine mounted just behind the seats and can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than three seconds. Hold on to your head.
So what happens if you hit the gas and jet forward only to flip out of control? No problem. The occupants will be protected by an automatic rollover protection system.
So I’m thinking. . . “Maybe I might want one of these to tow behind my motorhome!” But, no, I don’t think so.
The vehicle is a very exotic looking sports car called the Elva, and it’s made by McLaren. I strongly suspect that few people in the RV Travel crowd will head out soon to buy one. It sells for $1.7 million, and that doesn’t even include a sound system.
If you do happen to buy one, please invite me for a ride. I’ve got $50 reserved for a five-minute spin!
##RVT922
So how does it handle in the rain, snow and ice?
That was my first thought too. If you’re zipping along at highway speed I can see where wind can be managed and keep you relatively wind free (like a fairing on a motorcycle), but once you’re stopped, it’s bath time.
0 to 60 in less than three seconds? Gee, competition for musk’s Teslas . . .
bugs, birds, flying debris, rain, sun, etc. — low speed and high speed. And the noise of wind resistance? Hmmmmmmmmmmm
That would be soooo cool to test drive! (but i wouldn’t buy one LOL!)
Air curtains are noisy, I’d expect the same. Going down the road and have a June bug hit you in the face? That’s going to leave a mark
As soon as Ed McMahon comes to my door I’m gonna get me one of those!!!
It will be a true miracle, eh?
Back in the days of open sports car racing, some cars had very low windshields that the driver looked over (rather than through). These very effectively diverted the slipstream over the driver’s head. I have seen them racing in the rain, which let you see the air movement, and the driver remained dry.
Not an all weather vehicle. Sounds like the idea behind the air curtain used in commercial freezers. Another cute idea like the Tesla truck.