Posted on 02/26/2006 10:49:16 PM PST by Lorianne
Cross a motorcycle with a small car, and you get a new kind of hybrid -- the three-wheeler
Auto makers -- even some big ones, like Daimler-Chrysler's (DCX ) Mercedes-Benz -- have been developing car-motorcycle hybrids and other three-wheeled vehicles for years. But what's different now is that some of these concepts, such as the Volkswagen GX3 unveiled this month at the Los Angeles Auto Show, could actually make it to the marketplace (see BW Online, 1/12/06, "Concept Cars Are Getting Real"). And the GX3, backed by VW's global distribution capability, would stand a chance to develop a niche market.
Three-wheeled vehicles of one kind or another are quite common in the developing world, and were familiar sights in European countries as recently as 20 years ago. In emerging markets, three-wheel vehicles are basically large mopeds, according to Sam Fiorani, forecast manager of research firm AutomotiveCompass.
The concept of three-wheelers is, in fact, as old as the modern car itself: The first gas-fueled car as we know it today, patented in 1886 by Karl Benz, had only three wheels. The jet-powered Spirit of America three-wheeler recorded a time of 566.27 mph in 1964. Three-wheeled and other small vehicles rose in popularity in Europe when the 1956 Suez crisis made gas prices soar.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessweek.com ...
Hooligans PING!
Looks like a motorcycle with two wheels in front.
Did somebody say trike?
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Nice allusion. That blue tri-wheeler was the scourge of our hapless hero's existence.
A motorcycle based 3 wheel car - what will they think of next? 
In addition to the unnamed red tricycle pictured by Lorianne above, the article featured a few more models in the slideshow, including:
~ Blue Jays ~
From my perspective I see minimal increases in safety, virtually no increase in cargo capacity, absolutely increased operating expense, and who is going to qualified to work on these things?
Hey folks, stick to four-wheel cars and trucks and two-wheel motorcycles to continue to get the most bang for your bucks. I suppose one of them could be interesting to drive to college reunions, parades, or in similar situations.
~ Blue Jays ~
Aye, yeah... they're all fine and dandy.
Until you look at the safety aspect. I mean, they're fine if they're only traveling 10mph and clip another one, but I'd be interested in seeing two of these head-on each other at 35mph.
These vehicles would likely be no better or no worse than a collision between two contemporary motorcycles. It's doubtful that they're making safety one of their primary claims.
~ Blue Jays ~
That's a funny picture...riding out in the open breeze yet with a place to cook and unroll a sleeping bag at night!
~ Blue Jays ~
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