Air Car - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

GottaDiesel · #16 05-31-2007, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

C'mon Gotta, I know we're responsible for everything bad and dark, but what keeps most of these micro cars out of the US are the safety standards and the threat of a lawsuit the first time someone is killed for what would usually be a fender bender. I would personally love to be able to drive one of these (or other) streetable go-karts. They would fit in with most of my daily activities. But no manufacturer in their right mind would ever dare sell a micro in the U.S.

Answer:

(In all seriousness)

I can drive a motorcycle on any major highway. No bumpers, not impact zones and no airbags.

I can drive a scooter on most roads (not all highways).

Run your theory by me again.

PaulC · #17 05-31-2007, 01:32 PM

So a motorcycle should represent the design standard for overall motor vehicle safety?

GottaDiesel · #18 05-31-2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

So a motorcycle should represent the design standard for overall motor vehicle safety?

Not in the least. But shouldn't we be free to drive what we want to drive -- especially if the precedent exists? Why should a person be permitted to drive a motorcycle and get great mileage and a person who wants to drive this Air Car can't?

Emmerich · #19 05-31-2007, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GottaDiesel

Answer:

(In all seriousness)

I can drive a motorcycle on any major highway. No bumpers, not impact zones and no airbags.

I can drive a scooter on most roads (not all highways).

Run your theory by me again.

Anything classified as a car ( 4 wheels) needs to be crash tested (5 times) for DOT approval. Obviously a motorcyle does not have that requirement. I have an electric car that only has 3 wheels, so it did not need to be crashed, even though it is fully enclosed. I also cannot claim the federal tax exemption since I don't have 4 wheels.

PaulC · #20 05-31-2007, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GottaDiesel

Not in the least. But shouldn't we be free to drive what we want to drive -- especially if the precedent exists? Why should a person be permitted to drive a motorcycle and get great mileage and a person who wants to drive this Air Car can't?

Because it's easier to swerve around this on a motorcycle than in even the smallest of cars:

300SD81 · #21 05-31-2007, 03:30 PM

So the simple solution to get it here: make it a 3 wheeled car. No reason that won't work..

TheDon · #22 05-31-2007, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

Interesting idea, but not necessarily a free lunch from an environmental standpoint. How will the mondo air compressors be powered?

donkey

PaulC · #23 05-31-2007, 03:50 PM

Thus promoting methane pollution. Sounds like a no-go to me.

Emmerich · #24 05-31-2007, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

Thus promoting methane pollution. Sounds like a no-go to me.

Hook up a compressor to the donkey and have the car also use natural gas in another engine, that way you have dual fuel capability, and zero emissions. You would have to feed the donkey though.

TheDon · #25 05-31-2007, 03:59 PM

well then.. solar...

PaulC · #26 05-31-2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emmerich

Hook up a compressor to the donkey and have the car also use natural gas in another engine, that way you have dual fuel capability, and zero emissions. You would have to feed the donkey though.

Ya, and I don't think that I want to be within kicking distance when the methane collector/donkey interface is installed.

PaulC · #27 05-31-2007, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

well then.. solar...

Thus promoting....uh....let me get back to you.

GottaDiesel · #28 05-31-2007, 05:04 PM

You're not really going with the "easier to go around" thing are you?

You jest?

PaulC · #29 05-31-2007, 05:31 PM

A motorcycle is typically lighter and has less frontal area than even the smallest car. Wouldn't you agree that it's easier to successfully maneuver a motorcycle around an oncoming vehicle?

I am dead-ass serious, despite the milk moustache that I'm sporting at the moment.

Mr.Kenny · #30 05-31-2007, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

A motorcycle is typically lighter and has less frontal area than even the smallest car. Wouldn't you agree that it's easier to successfully maneuver a motorcycle around an oncoming vehicle?

I am dead-ass serious, despite the milk moustache that I'm sporting at the moment.

Uh,.... No.