XR3 Hybrid: Hitting the Road in May?
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 03.21.07
We first came across custom vehicle designer Robert Q. Riley's work last year, when his XR3 three-wheeled diesel/electric hybrid was still in the planning stages and we weren't sure if they'd ever get off the drawing board. According to Riley's site, the vehicle is indeed transitioning from theoretical design to real world vehicle, scheduled for release in May of this year. Like other similar three-wheelers, the vehicle will be classified as a motorcycle for things like crash-test regulations in the US, and the plans will be available for sale for enterprising DIYers who know a thing or two about fiber reinforced plastic. Current specs for the vehicle include a 40-mile range on electric power only, and between 125 (diesel engine only) and 225 (combined diesel/electric) miles per gallon. The green gearheads at AutoblogGreen plan to visit his shop soon and report on what they find; we hope they find out more about where this one falls on the pipe dream-viable alternative transportation option spectrum. Stay tuned for more and check out Riley's site for more. ::XR3 Hybrid via ::AutoblogGreen
While it's great that there is yet another small quirky looking green vehicle, Id have to say that it's styling is a bit too "future 70-80's"
So what "Style" should global warming come in then? If we wait till Paris Hilton is walking around with a solar power plant in her purse, this issue will never get advanced and fixed.
Anyways, it looks pretty darn stylish to me. If nothing else the 3d rendering is a little rough.
Judging from the site, there's not a chance they'll release in May :/
I'd be worried about how this may attract unwanted attention and possible get keyed..>.
This design is quite ugly.
I like how they provide range and mileage estimates, but their website shows only a bare chassis and not a completed vehicle.
All of their vehicles seem to lack side impact and rollover protection. I know legally as a motorcycle they don't have to, but common sense tells me that instead of one big frame rail down the middle a few bars on the side and a roll bar hoop would make much more sense.
I know of one Doran that implemented this without much effort, so not sure why they don't design this in from the start.
I've been looking at the webpage mentioned for the last six or more months and it seems that, without fail, the guy who runs the site pushes back the release date again and again. I'm hoping it'll get done but it doesn't looking promising.
According to the site, the plans will start being shipped June 2nd, so yeah, it got pushed back.
Style aside, I worry most about the canopy design. In the event of a rollover, it would trap you (those windows look awfully small). I may decide to try and build one of these if the kits come out soon, but I'd have to modify the frame to incorporate side-swing windows. All the extra weight would probably need a bigger engine than the prototype too. Wonder what that would do to fuel economy. It also doesn't have AC or defrost...or even windshield wipers...