Rinspeed zaZen – vision of the future automobile unveiled

Furthermore another production process for niche markets, like high performance cars, trucks and caravans is now introduced by Esoro to several OEM’s. The new and patented process called Melt Embossing does offer the possibility to produce high end thermoplastic composite parts with low initial invest for structural and semi-structural applications. Esoro is able to offer the entire service starting from topological optimisation and explicit FE calculations trough to the delivery of the serial parts.

Strong partners for the future

Gasverbund Mittelland AG, Swiss Energy, Rinspeed and Volkswagen – four strong partners - have the goal to develop vehicles that can be used on an everyday basis but that also depict automotive visions for the future. The exhibited vehicles are operated ecologically with natural gas or biogas as the fuel of choice. With the exception of the zaZen which can also be converted to natural gas operation.

The power supply company Gasverbund Mittelland AG has promoted the marketing of natural gas as a fuel in Switzerland for many years first-hand and also as gasmobil ag’s partner. Natural gas is currently the only available, sensible and environmentallycompatible fuel alternative that contributes significantly to a decrease of noxious emissions in particular in heavily populated regions. Furthermore, noxious particles can be further reduced in combination with the CO2-neutral biogas. Speed limits as result of critical particle emission values would be less of an issue. The most important arguments for natural gas and biogas as fuels are: more than 60 percent reduction of noxious emissions compared to petrol or diesel; even less fuel consumption for mixed operation.

This results in savings of 30 to 40 percent of fuel costs. Tests have shown that natural gas vehicles are just as safe as the same models with a petrol or diesel motor. Depending on the canton, funds are granted by the natural gas suppliers for the purchase of a new vehicle as well as a reduction of the motor vehicle tax. Natural gas and biogas will become even more attractive with the expected reduction of petroleum tax on natural gas and biogas to take effect from the middle of 2007.

Volkswagen focuses on natural gas

Gasverbund Mittelland AG and Rinspeed joined forces this year with Volkswagen. Europe’s major passenger vehicle manufacturer is convinced by the performance potential of natural gas as a fuel and its efficiency. In order to produce the first natural gas models for the series, substantial investments in research, development and production are required. The VW Caddy 2.0 litre EcoFuel and the VW Touran 2.0 litre EcoFuel are two interesting vehicles which will be on offer by the middle of 2006. Both of them can be used privately as well as commercially. Together with Gasverbund Mittelland AG and Rinspeed, Volkswagen will present a study based on the VW Touran with an innovative drive technology at the Natural Gas/Rinspeed stand at the 76th International Motor Show in Geneva. The same study in another outfit can also be inspected at the official Volkwagen stand in Geneva.

Furtherance by Swiss Energy

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