RE: Dutch Students Create 155mph Electric 'Superbus'
Tuesday 30th March 2010
A 15-metre luxury bus that can transport up to 23 people at speeds of up to 155mph is being created by students at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.
Its makers say it will revolutionise public transport. "[The Superbus offers] carefree and comfortable travel, customized according to your needs," claims the project's website. "You can get in the vehicle wherever and whenever you need. It will take you to your destination without any changeovers. During the journey, you can get on with your work, or sit back and enjoy the speed and the luxury. This service will be yours for a fare which is comparable to the prices of present-day public transport."
Now, we know it's a dreadful cliche to make remarks about the Dutch and the delusion-inducing effects of a certain drug, but when you're presented with a project like this you've justgot to assume it was dreamt up in some sort of coffee house.
Power train Electric motors powered by lithium polymer battery pack and regenerative braking
Power output 300 kW, peak at 600 kW for 1 minute
Driving range 210 km
Acceleration 0-100 km/h 0.1g in comfort mode
Braking 250-0 km/h in less than 200m
Cruising speed 250 km/h (155 mph)
Length 15,000 mm (49.21 ft)
Width 2,550 mm (8.20 ft)
Height 1,650 mm (5.41 ft)
Weight 9,500 kg fully loaded
Weight distribution 34/66
Torsional stiffness 30000 Nm/deg
Suspension Air springs and frequency selective dampers system with lifting subframe in aluminum
Ride height range 330 mm (70mm to 400mm)
Chassis frame Carbon fiber
Bodywork IXIS Thermoplastic reinforced fiberglass
Glazing Lexan Polycarbonate
Driving mode Driver assisted controlled on existing roads, autopilot on Supertrack
Equipped with Seat belts, airbags, TV, internet, air-conditioning, heating, etc
Provided with Navigation system, obstacle detection, communication system, fail safe system and control system
Dutch Students Create 155mph Electric 'Superbus'
Forget bringing the Routemaster back, Boris - this is the bus of the future
The Superbus will be powered by lithium ion batteries that will allow a claimed range of more than 130 miles, while the figure of a 155mph 'cruising' speed is reached courtesy of electric motors generating 400bhp. A 'boost' function also allows up to 800bhp for one minute.
There will be no planned routes for the Superbus; instead, passengers will request their required stops via text or e-mail, while the bus will then use its sat-nav to help calculate the fastest route.
Air springs and a 'lifting' aluminium subframe will allow the 9.5-tonne Superbus to alter its ride height between 70mm and 400mm to help maximise aerodynamic efficiency and therefore range.
After all, the idea for a 10-tonne luxury bus that follows no set routes and whisks its passengers along at 155mph is hardly going to issue forth from a sober or sane brain. Somehow, though, we really like it...
Oh, and you can browse the tech spec for the electric Dutch madness below.
Power output 300 kW, peak at 600 kW for 1 minute
Driving range 210 km
Acceleration 0-100 km/h 0.1g in comfort mode
Braking 250-0 km/h in less than 200m
Cruising speed 250 km/h (155 mph)
Length 15,000 mm (49.21 ft)
Width 2,550 mm (8.20 ft)
Height 1,650 mm (5.41 ft)
Weight 9,500 kg fully loaded
Weight distribution 34/66
Torsional stiffness 30000 Nm/deg
Suspension Air springs and frequency selective dampers system with lifting subframe in aluminum
Ride height range 330 mm (70mm to 400mm)
Chassis frame Carbon fiber
Bodywork IXIS Thermoplastic reinforced fiberglass
Glazing Lexan Polycarbonate
Driving mode Driver assisted controlled on existing roads, autopilot on Supertrack
Equipped with Seat belts, airbags, TV, internet, air-conditioning, heating, etc
Provided with Navigation system, obstacle detection, communication system, fail safe system and control system
Discussion
Huh? There's a lot of 'it's claimed' in there Riggers What does it actually do in real life? Have they proved any of this? Have you seen any test results? Or did you spend 5 minutes taking photos and recycle a project design report before spending the rest of the day sampling the local produce in the numerous coffee shops around town? I know what I'd have done and I can't blame you for enjoying a nice all expenses paid trip to Amshterdam
I could claim I've made a bus that does 255mph and runs off fresh air for you to write a nice little story about. Reality is very different
I could claim I've made a bus that does 255mph and runs off fresh air for you to write a nice little story about. Reality is very different
It's like the Concorde of buses.
Only one question though: Why?
No, seriously. Where would anyone want a 155mph bus? Round town it makes no sense as it stops every few minutes to pick up passengers. On the motorway it's usually restricted to the crawler lane anyway.
I've no doubt it's a stunning piece of engineering, but I can't think of a single reason why it's better than a train.
Only one question though: Why?
No, seriously. Where would anyone want a 155mph bus? Round town it makes no sense as it stops every few minutes to pick up passengers. On the motorway it's usually restricted to the crawler lane anyway.
I've no doubt it's a stunning piece of engineering, but I can't think of a single reason why it's better than a train.
Twincam16 said:
It's like the Concorde of buses.
Only one question though: Why?
No, seriously. Where would anyone want a 155mph bus? Round town it makes no sense as it stops every few minutes to pick up passengers. On the motorway it's usually restricted to the crawler lane anyway.
I've no doubt it's a stunning piece of engineering, but I can't think of a single reason why it's better than a train.
Trains can't go on the autobahn or pick you up at your door.Only one question though: Why?
No, seriously. Where would anyone want a 155mph bus? Round town it makes no sense as it stops every few minutes to pick up passengers. On the motorway it's usually restricted to the crawler lane anyway.
I've no doubt it's a stunning piece of engineering, but I can't think of a single reason why it's better than a train.
WorAl said:
Twincam16 said:
It's like the Concorde of buses.
Only one question though: Why?
No, seriously. Where would anyone want a 155mph bus? Round town it makes no sense as it stops every few minutes to pick up passengers. On the motorway it's usually restricted to the crawler lane anyway.
I've no doubt it's a stunning piece of engineering, but I can't think of a single reason why it's better than a train.
Trains can't go on the autobahn or pick you up at your door.Only one question though: Why?
No, seriously. Where would anyone want a 155mph bus? Round town it makes no sense as it stops every few minutes to pick up passengers. On the motorway it's usually restricted to the crawler lane anyway.
I've no doubt it's a stunning piece of engineering, but I can't think of a single reason why it's better than a train.
I'm not sure there are any countries in Europe where a vehicle of HGV size or (in this case) over isn't limited to a much lower speed.
JumpinJack said:
Fair play to them for setting this up etc. But I can't see how a "texting your destination" would work. Or the need for a Boost button. Shirley it would be like normal buses having a Nos button..?
Nonetheless a good idea, and I wish them good luck.
Does anyone remember Genius with Dave Gorman?Nonetheless a good idea, and I wish them good luck.
This reminds me of the 'DemocraBus' idea, where everyone on the bus had a steering wheel and at each junction everyone turned their favoured destination, and the majority would win.
It wasn't voted 'Genius'.
I go straight to Jalopnik, and cut out the middle-man. I've saved millions!
http://jalopnik.com/5497256/superbus-a-student+bui...
http://jalopnik.com/5497256/superbus-a-student+bui...
Twincam16 said:
It's like the Concorde of buses.
Only one question though: Why?
No, seriously. Where would anyone want a 155mph bus? Round town it makes no sense as it stops every few minutes to pick up passengers. On the motorway it's usually restricted to the crawler lane anyway.
I've no doubt it's a stunning piece of engineering, but I can't think of a single reason why it's better than a train.
This is exactly the kind of joined up thinking that would still have us riding around in horse drawn carriages. It is conceivable that the road network might change in a few years. In the same way that no one would have imagined being able to travel along a tarmaced roads at 70Mph+ at the end of the 19th Century, this might well be the norm in 50 years. No cars, no pedestrians, just a network of these running about. Doesn't take a massive amount of imagination...Only one question though: Why?
No, seriously. Where would anyone want a 155mph bus? Round town it makes no sense as it stops every few minutes to pick up passengers. On the motorway it's usually restricted to the crawler lane anyway.
I've no doubt it's a stunning piece of engineering, but I can't think of a single reason why it's better than a train.
Twincam16 said:
WorAl said:
Twincam16 said:
It's like the Concorde of buses.
Only one question though: Why?
No, seriously. Where would anyone want a 155mph bus? Round town it makes no sense as it stops every few minutes to pick up passengers. On the motorway it's usually restricted to the crawler lane anyway.
I've no doubt it's a stunning piece of engineering, but I can't think of a single reason why it's better than a train.
Trains can't go on the autobahn or pick you up at your door.Only one question though: Why?
No, seriously. Where would anyone want a 155mph bus? Round town it makes no sense as it stops every few minutes to pick up passengers. On the motorway it's usually restricted to the crawler lane anyway.
I've no doubt it's a stunning piece of engineering, but I can't think of a single reason why it's better than a train.
I'm not sure there are any countries in Europe where a vehicle of HGV size or (in this case) over isn't limited to a much lower speed.
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