CLEVER Car Milestone: Crash Test
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin 
on 12. 3.05
In Europe, where automobile producers have committed to reduce the CO2 emissions of their fleets from today's average of 200 grams/km to 140, this EU-wide project has been on the radar since the CLEVER press release in April 2004. Now, CLEVER--for Compact Low-Emission VEhicle for uRban transport--has passed its first big test. In a head-on crash test, the innovative three-wheeler demonstrated very satisfactory performance, similar to a normal small car. Side-crash tests are planned. Further novelties include a natural gas engine with fuel-cartridge concept so the car can be used where a NatGas network is not yet complete. And unique software will manage the roll in the one-wheel passenger compartment while the two-wheeled luggage and motor compartment keeps both wheels on the ground; this should ensure CLEVER is FUN (see image on next page).
The project goal is to create a production vehicle for under 10,000 euros (12,000 US$). A project report is due in March 2006, but big questions remain about the CLEVER's future. BMW, one of the main partners in the development of the prototype, is still silent about whether they will take the vehicle into production. Speculation that the vehicle will be authorized as a motorcycle, requiring special driver licensing, could scare BMW away after the experience with the C1, which failed quickly after annual sales couldn't top 10,000 of the unique caged bikes in spite of the helmet-free approval.
Which is the Big Question: will the consumer find the CLEVER clever? If fun-to-drive meets green, it could be the answer many a lead-blooded sports driver with a conscience has been looking for, and expand the niche for mod city minis that Daimler-Chrysler opened with its smartcar.
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I saw this car on TopGear - brilliant! It was selling for $40,000 (or was it GBP?) but it's just so head-turning and cool. Now I read it's relatively green? :: glee! ::
I suspect what Fraize saw on Top Gear was the Carver: http://www.carver-europe.com
I would love to have something like that. An example of how fuel efficent can be safe and fun. I bet a hybrid version could be made as well. I wonder how it would handle snow however?
This looks WAY too much like the Carver not to be an iteration of the Carver itself. I wonder what sort of IP transactions have taken place lately!
speaking as an ex-motorcyclist and current convertable sports car owner I would love a car like this.
Be carefull, this is not a Carver, and in fact it has never been driven. There is no control system tested for this vehicle.[ check my claims out]
Strange world when we crash a vehicle before we even drive it!!! You have to ask what is actually going on here?...
http://www.tiltingvehicle.net
Our company will shortly be announcing an electric version of the 3 wheeled pusher except with side by side seating and electric powered (0-40mph in 4 sec range) We will also offer a biodiesel powered version later. Watch for it!