Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Plastic Car To Help Ease Traffic Snarls

A plastic, two-seater is being touted as the lastest answer to big city traffic . MyCar, designed by Gioretti Guigiaro's ItalDesign Giugiaro will be built by Hong Kong based Innovech International later this year. The vehicle is designed to rival the Smart car and cost two-thirds of the price, around $7,000.

MyCar is only 4'6" wide and 8'4" long, allowing it to park head-on at the curb, in some situations. By comparison, a Ford Focus is 50% wider and nearly 6 feet longer. It weighs just 770lbs, thanks to extensive use of lightweight thermoformed plastic panels. The single cylinder two-speed (plus reverse) gasoline engine comes in sizes from 50cc to 250cc, with a top speed of 28-53 MPH.

MyCar also features an easily removable hardtop, allowing it to be switched to convertible mode.
Innovech International is also planning on building electric versions. The company plans to start production towards the end of the year and hopes to sell between 1,000 and 2,000 cars in Europe in the first year.
Source: © theautochannel.com
M. Rauch - TACH Auto Central