RINSPEED DESIGN, the Swiss creative source for innovative automotive concepts and fantasies, presents a very special attraction on the occasion of its 25th anniversary:
RINSPEED PRESTO:
The Rinspeed Presto transforms itself in a few seconds from an under-3-meter long two-seater roadster - presto! - into a 3.7-meter long four-seater with plenty of room for the rear-seat passengers. The additional space can also be used as a pick-up bed for cargo when the rear-seat backrests are folded down.
The magical trick
This almost magical transformation is made possible by a centrally located electric motor, which stretches the vehicle with the help of two mechanical screw-and-nut gears by exactly 746 millimeters to its full extended length of 3.74 meters. The longitudinal members run on low-friction precision rollers and disappear like a drawer in the rear of the floor pan. Despite its variable length the engineers succeeded in designing the adjustable Presto floor pan with the torsional rigidity necessary for a roadster. To ensure absolute operational safety the extension mechanism also features self-locking safety latches.
Engine: 1.7 liter 4-cylinder
Weight: 1907 lbs
Aspiration: turbocharger
Torque: 165 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
HP: 120 hp @ 4200 rpm
HP/Weight: 15.9 lbs per hp
HP/Liter: 70.6 hp per liter
0-62 mph: 10.5 mph
Top Speed: 112 mph
© Source: original article on seriouswheels.com
