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The Hypercar: John Whiteman

The document discusses the history and development of Hypercar, a proposed highly fuel efficient vehicle. It outlines key events from 1991-2000 including the Rocky Mountain Institute's proposal for a hybrid "supercar", the formation of Hypercar Inc. to demonstrate the feasibility of such a vehicle, and announcements by automakers like Honda and GM about future hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The document advocates for a systematic approach to design that optimizes mass to reduce costs rather than prioritizing fuel efficiency alone. It suggests the automotive industry is ripe for a simpler approach after decades of complexity.

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DevbratVishwakarma
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192 views15 pages

The Hypercar: John Whiteman

The document discusses the history and development of Hypercar, a proposed highly fuel efficient vehicle. It outlines key events from 1991-2000 including the Rocky Mountain Institute's proposal for a hybrid "supercar", the formation of Hypercar Inc. to demonstrate the feasibility of such a vehicle, and announcements by automakers like Honda and GM about future hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The document advocates for a systematic approach to design that optimizes mass to reduce costs rather than prioritizing fuel efficiency alone. It suggests the automotive industry is ripe for a simpler approach after decades of complexity.

Uploaded by

DevbratVishwakarma
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Hypercar (sm)

John Whiteman
(in place of Tom Crumm)

The Hypercar (sm)

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Hypercar

A modest promise...

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Hypercar

History

1991

Rocky Mountain Institute propose hybrid supercar 1993 Partnership of big 3 to create 80 mpg family car by 2004

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Hypercar

More history

1994 Hypercar Center set up at RMI 1995 Report on technical aspects of


Hypercar 1997 Hypercar project launched

1998 formation of Hypercar inc 1999 initial equity investments 2000 exciting developments tba

with industry funding to demonstrate feasibility

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Design strategy

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Hypercar

Not totally crazy.?


more expensive per part/pound

Idea of a systematic approach to design


fuel but on building the car. facts: Startling Paradoxically this saves far more fuel
15% of fuel energy reaches the wheels 95% of it is used to move the car

Mass is optimised to save money not on virtuous circle of weight and cost reduction but

Also cuts product cycle,


space, parts count

equipment,

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Hypercar

The environment.

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Hypercar

The environment, continued

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Buy one today...

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Hypercar

Or wait for the real thing?

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Hypercar

Lots of news..

5/00: Honda, with Insight demand far outstripping supply (2000 sales are expected to be twice projections), announces 2001 Japan release of its first mass-market Civic hybrid, using engine drive until fuel-cell models become available starting 2003. GM says its "long-term vision is of a hydrogen economy." A Deutsche Shell director predicts 50% of all new vehicles, and 20% of the existing fleet, to be hydrogen vehicles by 2020; Daimler-Chrysler plans fuel-cell fleets in 2004. Shell and RWE say it would take at most 2 years to convert many thousands of German gasoline filling stations to offer hydrogen

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More news...

8/00: GM says it'll always stay ahead of Ford with regard to fuel efficiency, and confirms that within a few years it will be selling hybrid-electric versions of its full-sized pickup trucks. Environmentalists cheer the combatants on. Several California cities confirm commercial orders for fuel-cell buses

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Final thoughts from Hypercar

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Hypercar

Good cars are always difficult, but better to be difficult because theyre simple than because theyre complex.

The Hypercar

This industry has been in the complex phase (sm) for decades, its ripe for something different

John Whiteman
(in place of Tom Crumm)

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