Zoomi Life

While many electric concept cars are funny-looking (to say the least), most of them have two things in common: they run on electricity and they are aerodynamic. One thing they rarely talk about is safety, since the focus is always on innovation in design and propulsion.

Manuel Schneider and his team of designers have decided to change that. The Lynx, a concept car powered by electric motors on each axle, focuses on driver and passenger safety. The car incorporates anti-collision and collision-avoidance systems that are becoming common in today’s luxury vehicles and will some day to common in all vehicles.

The large interior space (thanks to the car’s “giant bubble with wheels” look) will make anyone comfortable, though the over-use of windows might make it a little non-private and greenhouse hot. Other safety features include on-board distance controllers and bumper sensors for backing and parking. A top-notch entertainment system tops it off.

While this car’s looks probably won’t win too many design awards and the propulsion technology leaves a lot to be desired (no solar panels, no regenerative braking, no door handles to open the doors with), that’s not what this car is all about. Since it will probably never be built, but is destined to be yet another concept, it’s innovation lies in its focus on safety and driver/passenger experience.

Let’s face it: if electric cars continue to be the Geo Metro’s and Toyota Scion’s of the driving world, they’ll never appeal to anyone other than those who, for whatever reason, just HAVE to drive electric. Until these cars become more mainstream in performance and passenger experience, they’ll never get to be more than a niche market. Witness the Mini E.

Touted for all its greatness and desirability, BMW knew that the car would never make it on the open market. Why? It only seats two and has limited luggage storage and range. Therefore, when it comes time for the real-world driver to plunk down hard-earned cash for it, they’d pick something else.

Concepts like this Lynx will change that, I hope, and make electric vehicles a little more mainstream in appeal.

Source: Ecofriend