I am sure there is a man walking the streets in
all the major cities of the world, holding a placard stating
“The end is near”, as the automakers are all showing more than
a passing interest in alternate fuels. The idea is to break our
dependence on oil supplies that George Dubbya didn’t manage to
get for us from the sands of Iraq.
Mercedes
E 200 NGT
There are many ways of doing away with our
dependence upon it (oil, not George Dubbya), and many ways of
going about the same concept. This was very noticeable with the
dual fuel Mercedes E 200 converted to run on petrol or Compressed
Natural Gas. This was a very professional approach, with the gas
bottles under the floor of the boot, and even a pair of white
cotton gloves to wear, just in case you had to open the
compartment.
By direct comparison was the dual fuel vehicle
from the engineering students at the Chulalongkorn University.
This was an experimental vehicle with a ‘bird-cage’ heavy tube
frame and dual fuel operation. It was a bit too over-engineered
for me (they could have used much lighter tube and got much better
performance), but they all enjoyed themselves building it, so it
doesn’t really matter. Just look at the smiles from the uni
students.
The
Chulalongkorn dual fueller
Toyota showed off their Fine N concept vehicle,
which looked very radical and space-age, but it really was
anything but. This vehicle relies on hydrogen gas to drive fuel
cells, which in turn produce an electric current to produce
forward motion. The electric motors are in the wheels, which looks
something new, but actually this is exactly the same principle
used by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche in the Lohner Porsche of 1902. The
wheel has certainly gone the full circle with this one. However,
the styling is certainly tomorrow, and looked eminently capable of
being produced.
Fine
N naked
While on the electric concept, there was a very
interesting stand from an American company called Wavecrest. They
have a patented ‘adaptive’ motor in the rear wheel of their
bicycle (another Porsche style hub motor), with a battery in the
hub of the front wheel. WaveCrest’s TidalForceฎ line of
high-performance electric bicycles is setting new standards for
speed, range and quality. Powered by the 750 watt WaveCrest
Adaptive Motor system in the rear wheel and a rechargeable NiMH
battery in the front wheel, these electric bicycles provide as
much power as needed to climb hills and cover long distances.
Riders can pedal for exercise or use the variable-speed thumb
throttle on the handlebar to activate electric power for
convenience and comfort.
Fine
N clothed
On the same stand they also showed the Adaptive
Motor system applied to locally made motor scooters, capable of
speeds up to 60 kph. The in-wheel design avoids the use of noisy
and inefficient gears and belt or chain drives. The regenerative
braking function provides increased range, shorter stopping
distances and reduced brake wear. Most importantly, the system can
be installed on a variety of light electric vehicles with little
to no modifications to the vehicle. They also had a small roadster
there with their electric motor, but I was unable to see into the
engine bay as they had lost the keys!
Wavecrest
electric bicycle
However, for the real ‘petrol-heads’ there
were still some companies not into the doom and gloom mode. One
such is BSP Motorsports which was at the show displaying a bolt-on
supercharger kit for Toyota Corollas, being presented by a
delightful young lady in what must have been the ultimate in
ridiculous costumes, complete with silver leg braces and blue
plastic hot pants, featuring silver belt with twin handcuff
pouches! (Photo upper right)
However, the supercharger was the real deal, a
bolt-on delivering another 20 percent more grunt in Japan, though
their local agent, BSP’s Nontimuk Jotisalikorn, said that they
would be confirming this figure with their own testing in
Thailand, as we are unable to get the 100+ octane fuels they get
in Japan. The complete kit, including installation, is around B.
150,000, and if you are interested you can get more information
from Nontimuk, telephone 02 874 1144. Tell him the Doc sent you!
Last week I also mentioned the numerous 1886 Benz dog cart
replicas which the factory commissioned. What I did not know was
the fact that the first female motorist on record was actually
Karl Benz’s wife, Bertha, who in 1888 traveled 180 kilometers
from Mannheim to Pforzheim and return to demonstrate to the world
that her husband’s invention had real possibilities! She was
right! Since the vehicle only develops 0.9 BHP, she had to take
their two sons to help push the beast over some of the higher
hills.
Benz
1886
Last week, I asked what was the make of the
first car to come to Thailand? Who owned it? And what year?
The answer was Mercedes in 1905 and it was imported by King
Chulalongkorn (Rama V). I couldn’t find a pic of the 1905
vehicle, but here is the 1907 Mercedes. Interestingly, the
Thai Royal Family also has a very extensive collection of
Mercedes vehicles, including several on display at the motor
show belonging to the Crown Prince.
So
to this week, and this is really very interesting. Last year I
asked about the origin of the chequered flag (“checkered”
for all my American friends who can’t spell) and I have to
admit that I didn’t know the answer myself. I was hoping to
be enlightened, but that was not to be at that stage. However,
since then, Pattaya’s Car Club stalwart Vic Garra has
managed to come up with what definitely sounds correct. So
let’s see what you make of it this time? What was the origin
of the chequered flag to signify the end of a motor race? The
‘real’ answer next week if you can’t find it either!
For the Automania FREE beer this week, be
the first correct answer to email [email protected]
Good luck!
At the last minute I managed to have it
confirmed that there is a Thailand Super Car meeting at the
Prince Bira circuit this weekend. (Bira circuit is on Highway
36, only a few kays from the Regent’s School, heading
towards Rayong and on the right hand side.)
The promoters of the Super Car series have
sent me no details, but if it is like last year, there will be
several different classes running, including mildly modified
sedans called the Thailand Touring Car Series, and others
running in ‘silhouette’ classes, and pick-ups as well, if
one tonners turn you on!
From about 10 a.m. onwards should give you
most of the action on Sunday 10th.