Keys? We don't need no stinkin? keys, says Rinspeed, Swiss automotive concocter and maker of the iChange concept car.
Okay, they didn't really say that, but they might as well have. According to the video on PC World, the iChange boasts a lot of swell features, including the unusual ignition function:
?You don't need a key. The car is started and stopped by an iPhone. A big green button powers up the electric engine that sits at the heart of the vehicle, and you can use the iPhone for control of other things, such as the lights.?
Lithium-ion batteries power the electric motor and come in two different configurations for short- and long-distance driving. The car also features a 3D navigation system that calculates the most eco-friendly route, plus a Harmon Kardon audio system that is lighter and uses less energy than standard systems.
While the iChange seems to focus on green technology, it is also built for speed. It goes from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in 4.2 seconds. And though we've all seen teeny tiny little sportscars on the road, this takes the cake: The vehicle's base configuration is modeled around a single seat (for one person only). That doesn't mean drivers can't take a couple of pals for a joy ride ? At the push of a button, the rear pops open to provide room for 2 more passengers.
Rinspeed seems to be like the mad scientist of the automotive vanguard. Last year, the company unveiled another concept car called the sQuba, which ran underwater. Crazy stuff. Sadly, neither inventions are likely to be available at your local Dealership anytime soon. Still, it's neat to know what's possible.
You can check out the informative video on the PC World link above or look at this hands-on presentation. But if you enjoy cheesy overdramatized promo vids, complete with a swelling symphonic score, may I suggest the one below.
