The CLEVER car is like the Airbus project, a pan-European collaborative project, heavily funded. And as for the Airbus, this car would make the US envy European technologies and, we hope so, emulate other car makers to outperform the vehicle.
“The idea is to try to marry the small size and efficiency of a motorcycle with the comfort and safety of a standard car,” Ben Drew, a research officer at the University of Bath, one of the institutions involved in the project, said to BBC News.
The CLEVER car (understand “Compact Low Emission Vehicle for Urban Transport”) is a three-wheel car that runs up to 100 km/h (60 mph), covers 200 km (125 miles) with a small 6L fill. Its engine is the same than the BMW C1 scooter, as BMW, in charge of the motor part of the project, took the same motor, after boosting its capacity to 218cc. For its maneuverability, the Clever should equal a bike, as its chassis tilts over the ground.
Don’t expect the CLEVER to out SUV and big trucks from the car pool, it would at least be a good replacement vehicle for motorbikes. According to Mr. Drew, “it takes a little while to get used to, but once you do it feels bizarre to get back into a normal car.”
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