THIS MONTH
Event
A ceremony was held On 16th April 2007 At Pone Kingpetch Park to honour the famous boxer who the park is named after. He was a three times Flyweight world boxing champion and was from Hua Hin.
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Black Mountain golf finally opened its doors and greens on 20th April, and was honoured with a visit by the mayor of Hua Hin.
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The cricket sixes at the dusit was once again a fun (left) and exhausting (above) affair!
Songkran in Hua Hin. There were many activities arranged by the municipality and it all started at Pone Kingpetch park on 12th April. Mayor Sirapan Kamolpramote pours scented water onto sheriff Prasit Boonlikhit hands to show respect.(top)
A parade through the city was one of the highlights of Songkran 2007
Hua Hin Online Community
The team at HHAD would like to wish all of our readers a happy Songkran for last month; a few were out and about on the day enjoying the festivities in downtown Hua Hin. As always it is a very busy weekend and the roads and their users become even more dangerous than usual.
For those that are looking for a weekend break or get-away from Hua Hin try the quiet beaches of Khao Kalok, 40 minutes drive south. The Orchid Garden offers secluded accommodation in this great little spot that has yet to be touched by the mass tourism of other destinations. More information can be found on the website.
A few more minor twists and turns in the property plot as confusion over limited companies versus leasing escalates. Our only advice is to seek an independent professional lawyer if you intend to dabble in Thailand 's real estate market. The property section on the forum is one of the most popular as both sides of the coin are aired.
Jazz Festival Update
As we run up to the annual Hua Hin Jazz Festival we face the ever-present problem of lack of information and promotion of local events. At the time of writing the official dates and press release has yet to come out and it's only six weeks or so to the event. Many are concerned that it may not occur this year due to conflicting interests between its primary sponsor, Heineken, and the government's draconian alcohol sales restrictions. We hope it will be as good as previous events and if so not to be missed.
Plenty of activity was noted in the accommodation section as our list of sponsors expands to offer even more guesthouses and hotels in Hua Hin. For those looking to book online or check out availability of options that are not the same old places found everywhere else on the net then HHAD is the place for you. If you run or manage a guesthouse in Hua Hin and you want to expose it to thousands of potential patrons then get it listed on HHAD and your bookings will start to flood in, we even had one suspend his sponsorship as he was so busy over the peak period and couldn't handle all of the enquiries!
Hua Hin Taxi
HHAD can now also offer a taxi service with online booking as we have teamed up with the most reliable taxi and limousine operators in Hua Hin. Our prices can't be beaten and your taxi can be confirmed online offering you peace of mind see Hua Hin taxi for more details.
A little concern was felt by the members and moderators during a recent round of internet censorship by the government however since we are run and moderated professionally with our own guidelines in respect of the country in which we operate HHAD has nothing to fear. A couple of persistent cyber pests that continue to plague our ever expanding online community are the internet equivalent of mosquitoes and can easily be swatted, the forum terminology for these are “trolls” so now you know!
HHAD forums are the definitive online message boards and discussions for the area with over 2,400 members. There are sections for finding and booking accommodation, seeking out bargains, and exploring the local area and beyond. There is also a nightlife section for the night owls, a restaurant and feeding guide along with an online meeting point for visa runners and clubs. The ever popular “Ask the expats” section is great for quickly getting the answers you need from the people that live here.
Logon and find out what is happening in Hua Hin:
There is also a blog for the Hua Hin area at:
HUA HIN ONLINE
A number of new websites have been launched providing yet more information on the Hua Hin area. Tourism Hua Hin www.tourismhuahin.com offers a whole range of tourist information including accommodation, restaurants, trips and tours with online booking, travel, events and shopping. It has the first online “Hua Hin Photo Map” which combines images with views on a map, a great way to get a glimpse of Hua Hin before you arrive here. There is also the Hua Hin Blog www.huahinblog.com, which gives writers and photographers an opportunity to express themselves, online with tales and anecdotes about life in Hua Hin.
Expat Hua Hin www.expathuahin.com is the town's first ex-pat guide with information on buying, selling and renting property, social activities and meeting other ex-pats, cuisine, health and hospitals, education and schools, technology, motoring, employment and visas. It is an essential resource for anyone considering a permanent move to Hua Hin or those living here looking for answers and advice. Additionally a new Hua Hin Classifieds www.classifiedshuahin.com system has been put online to offer you free classifieds for the area.
Take a look at these brand new Internet resources for all the information you will ever need on Hua Hin and its surrounds:
Tourism Hua Hin | Expat Hua Hin | Hua Hin Blog | Hua Hin Classifieds | Hua Hin Websites
Khantoke Elephant Village
Regular readers may remember our article on elephants from the September 2006 issue, where we featured the elephant village near Wat Eitisukato. They were in the process of completing the village then, and we are pleased to announce that they are now fully operational. The theme of the village, restaurant and shows is the Lanna style (Lanna being a kingdom in the north of Thailand around the city of Chiang Mai from the 13th to the 18th century).
The restaurant serves Northern Thai food with different specials every day. Dinner starts from 18:00-22:00pm and is served Khantoke style. The meal is served on small, low, circular tables (or tok), usually lacquered red or black. These vary in size from around two to three feet in diameter, with larger ones for very special occasions. Every family in northern Thailand has one. The guests, (normally) sit on the floor to be served by hostesses who also sit next to the guests, chatting and smiling, fetching more dishes, and anticipating every need. They, of course, wear traditional costume -- ankle-length skirts called bhasin, with close-fitting, long-sleeved blouses called suakhan krabok, covered by a wrap or shawl called sabai chiang. The colours are magnificent, set off by a flower or two in the hair, usually orchids.
The price includes pick up and return and a special welcome drink – please use the contact details below to get more information. Your dinner starts by riding the elephant to the dining area and being the witness in a Thai Lanna Wedding.
They also offer you the experience for a once in a lifetime wedding in Northern Thai traditional style. You start your wedding by riding an elephant to the Thai open house where your guests await you. Surrounded by the unforgettable views of the mountains and nature of Hua Hin and entertained by the Thai classical dance show.
Elephant Village (Moo Baan Chang) Hua Hin, Prachuab Khiri Khan 77110
Tel: 081-008-5566,
E-mail: huahin@khantoke-changshow.com
www.khantoke-changshow.com
Evason gala
By Emma Hughes
We arrived safely at Bangkok airport after a great flight and were greeted by Colin, his partner Boom, and Poppy, along with the intense heat and humidity that us Brits aren't exactly used to! On our air-conditioned car journey from Bangkok to Hua Hin we talked about plans that would keep us entertained during our holiday there, and were particularly interested in hearing about one event that Colin and Boom were raving about. As our luck would have it, during the time we were staying in Thailand , Colin and Boom had been invited to a lavish meal and wine tasting event at the Evason holiday resort, to which we were all cordially invited.
When the date of the event arrived on Saturday evening, Colin drove us to the Evason, where we parked the car and were warmly greeted by the staff at the Evason hotel entrance. There we waited under a candle-lit canopy, seated on huge furnished cushions and awaited the arrival of a shuttle bus to take us to the reception. When the shuttle bus arrived, we piled on with Colin, Boom and Poppy, as well as the plethora of baby accompaniments – plus a few of the other guests who could squeeze on. The bus started moving at a rather slow pace and we realised that it was in fact only the downward gradient that was keeping us going given that the bus ground to a halt with the weight of us all! We all had a laugh as the staff attempted to get the shuttle bus moving but to no avail; we decided that there was no need to panic, as the function was only actually a few hundred meters around the corner. As we arrived at the reception we admired the peaceful and atmospheric scenery, with pools of water filled with exotic planting. The whole hotel and its fantastic setting gave an incredible feeling of understated luxury. Immediately we found ourselves with wine in our hands as Wongsakorn, the director of food and beverage at Evason, welcomed us. The staff were immaculately dressed and waited on our every need, showing us to our seats and ensuring that our glasses were topped up. The tables, which were set up to snake across the room, were impressively decorated with candles to set the mood. More importantly, every guest had a clear view of Brian Lynn, the evening's host and owner of Australian-based Majella wines, who was to talk us through the evening's wine tasting. We couldn't quite get over how huge the wine glasses were – it literally felt like drinking from goldfish bowls, but that didn't stop us getting our share of the fabulous wines!
As everyone became settled at their seats, the first course (of many) was brought out. The starter included a delicately placed lobster tail encrusted with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and chilli and served with a refreshing chilled apple compote. It was a lovely, light start to the meal and accompanied by a cold glass of Majella Riesling. Brian gave insightful talks during each course about the history of each wine, explaining how they are produced and which wines complement which types of meals. Surprisingly, another five courses followed, each as delicious as the first. We agreed with Colin that the last course of strawberries in a black pepper and balsamico sauce served with homemade ice cream could easily be the only dish we would be happy to eat for the rest of our lives! Accompanying the dessert was a chilled sparkling Shiraz , which I decided was my favourite wine of the evening and the perfect end to a perfect meal. We all insisted that chef Tanu Panthong appear at the end so that everyone could show their appreciation for such a masterpiece of culinary expertise.
During the meal Mum and I needed to excuse ourselves for a trip to the restroom, and on asking a waitress if she could point us in the right direction, we were instead led all the way there – such hospitality we wouldn't expect in England ! It just has to be mentioned about the exceptional facilities – toilets like we had never seen before – with still waterways and plants at our feet; it made going to ‘powder our noses' a memorable experience, although it was a good job we didn't visit any later in the evening after a few more glasses of wine!
At the end of the night Niall Keddie, Evason's wonderful sommelier, visited the tables to ensure we had enjoyed the evening. We assured him we would be returning again along with Dad and brother, and soon (hopefully!).
We are now kicking ourselves as to why it took us so long to visit Thailand and can truly understand that most people, having been to The Land of Smiles, have to return. This definitely applies to us – we feel as though we've just had a ‘taster' as to what the country has to offer and, a bit like the Majella wines and the Evason resort, we'll be back for more and would like to thank everyone involved in the evening's event.
Sound of Jungle Juice
William Rodway produced a unique sound at the popular Jungle Juice Bar, Hua-Hin on Thursday night (12.4.07). The owner of Jungle Juice, Host David Calvin provided the piano (via Siam Kolkarn Hua-Hin Music School ) whilst William Rodway provided a sensational free World Class performance. Mr. Rodway is the piano half of the acclaimed duo Westcott and Rodway, who recently received the USA 2006 Media Innovator Award. Rodway gave a mesmerizing, original solo performance. Whilst this new remarkable genre is hard to categorise, the sound is even harder to ignore, think classical, think jazz, think improvisation, think WOW! The rawness and the edgy mix of music made everyone present eager for the next note to be played. The skilfulness with which Rodway produced each sound left people open mouthed, amazed by such talent from this young man. This has long been known by Westcott and Rodway's worldwide fan base and any praise, hype and accolades that Westcott and Rodway receives is truly justified. This type of talent can only enhance the ever-growing reputation of Hua-Hin as a centre of excellence for music ie. its world renowned Jazz Festival, that would definitely be enriched by a performance from Westcott and Rodway who would be available to perform if requested. William 21, takes his B.A. Music finals soon at Exeter University UK . William Rodway and Adam Westcott have their new CD coming out very soon and their next performance this month at The Vortex, Islington, London , UK is once again a sell-out. Rodway will be back in Thailand in May. If you are privileged enough to catch Westcott and Rodway playing, it would be an experience you will never forget. You can catch the sounds and performance dates of Westcott and Rodway on their web page
www.myspace.com/westcottandrodway.
Obituary: Steve Ross
(29/5/1950 – 15/4/2007)
Steve Ross sadly passed away on Sunday 15th April 2007 after a severe bout of pneumonia. He had previously been suffering from bronchitis but had appeared to have recovered, so this has come as a great shock to his family and friends, and the Observer extends their deepest condolences to them.
Steve was the archetypal Yorkshireman – born in Leeds , with a gruff, no nonsense approach to things that often concealed the fact that he was a generous soul with a heart of gold. He would argue the toss over a dodgy decision in sports such as his beloved golf or a game of pool but would bend over backwards to help a friend in need or to get something organised. He was the Vice Captain of the Butterfly Rock Golf Club and prior to that an active member of the Hua Hin Golf Society. He was involved in several bar operations, namely Limelight, Club 99 and Lewis's along with his partner Penny and good friend Howard. Until he became ill he was a captain and player in the Pool League also.
A service and cremation was held at a temple in Phetchburi on Wednesday 18th April, attended by many of his friends.
Obituary: Belinda Nielsen
You made us laugh, you made us smile, you were always there when we needed you, you helped us in every possible way, we shared happiness and sadness together. You were a gem in a person and we will cherrish all our memories. May your soul rest in peace! We Miss You Belinda!
Friends: Charlotte, Maureen, Kristy, Mikko, Prina, Jennifer, Lasse and Nam Peung,
HUA HIN JAZZ FESTIVAL 2007
Just a reminder that this is scheduled to take place on June 8th and 9th this year, although no details of the event have been confirmed at press time. The Observer hopes to have the full lineup and other details in the June issue. Watch this space!
More info and images from previous jazz fesitvals can be found here:
www.tourismhuahin.com/jazz-festival-huahin.php
www.huahinafterdark.com/hua-hin-jazz-festival.htm
Snapshots exhibition
“Snapshots, Sills & Scans” is Bangkok based Dutch artist Leon Dolle' s 7th solo exhibition in Thailand . His latest collection of paintings consists of large-scale semi-abstract oil painting, full of colour and movement. “Snapshots, Sills & Scans” has no theme or concept, it focuses on colour, spontaneity of expression and escape from urban modernity.
Dolle(47), “the abstract expressionist”, is a protégé of the notorious Herman Brood, a legendary Cutch artist and rock and roll star, but went solo after moving to Asia over a decade ago. His techniques and utensils may change but his work is always characterized by its bold and vibrant colours and broad brush stokes. The result is vigorous and striking.
This will be the first show for which Dolle has generated his paintings using an easel rather than spreading the canvas on the floor. And, as each snapshot, still or scan, was taken at the age of 46 or 47, you can say that these paintings were 46 or 47 years in the making.The opening reception is on Tuesday 3rd May from 7 until 9 pm.
The Rotunda Gallery is located in the Neilson Hays Library, 195 Suriwongse Road , Bangkok (Tel. 02 233 1731).
Opening hours are: Tuesday-Sunday 9.30 am – 5.00 pm.
Steering into the future slowly
Take a look at the facing page, the innovative designs, the rakish looks, the fun elements, the environmentally friendly approaches and the simply downright weird. Now, the next time you go out on the road take a look at what is available to you, is that a Ford? No, I think it's a Toyota or maybe, no it could be... Look for the logo; this is often the only way to know the difference.
We could put all the blame on the manufacturers but there is evidence shown opposite that they are looking at alternatives (or perhaps they just want to be seen to be innovative?).
Each car show announces the new version of what we have seen before, presented nice and shiny with a leggy model draped across it, implying that if you are man enough to buy this model you might get lucky with another type of model (yes we're sorry ladies, the majority of car shows are macho affairs). But often at these shows there will be a non-production car, a concept car which everyone will ooohhh! and ahhhhh! over, but everyone knows it will never get into production.
Manufacturers lead the market and feed us the latest version of what we had before, mainly because it is a risk to launch an innovative design that fails and, of course, they need to keep their shareholders happy. But are we also to blame? Are we just happy to be part of the flock and content ourselves with the latest cup holder or radio in our shiny new investment?
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Perhaps the problem is a little of both; apprehensive manufacturers and buyers happy to be anonymous. But there are exceptions to both of these categories. There have always been people who want to be individuals and make a statement with their car, even if it is just some furry dice and a Wayne and Tracy sunshield. Customising is a big business which most of the time leads to some kind of eye sore, but occasionally if done well, leads to a car that is closer to being a piece of sculpture. But it is best to keep away from customising for now, this is another article for another day.
Manufacturers have, believe it or not, come up with some classic innovations over the years and not just in the mega-money category. Let us start with the truly classic Volkswagen Beetle.
The origins of the Beetle date back to 1925, when Béla Barényi submitted his concepts to the Maschinenbauanstalt Wien. In 1933, Adolf Hitler met with Richard Whittle and Ferdinand Porsche to discuss the development of a “Volks-Wagen” (“People's Car”), a basic vehicle that should be capable of transporting two adults and three children at a speed of 100 km/h (62 mph), and which should cost no more than 990 Reichsmark (at an average income of 32RM/week).
Our next innovator is the Citroën 2CV. Pierre-Jules Boulanger's early 1930s design brief was for a low-priced, rugged “umbrella on four wheels” that would enable two peasants to drive 100 kg of farm goods to market at 60 km/h, in clogs and across muddy unpaved roads if necessary. The car would use no more than 3 litres of gasoline to travel 100 km. Most famously, it would be able to drive across a ploughed field without breaking the eggs it was carrying. Boulanger later also had the roof raised to allow him to drive while wearing a hat.
Now we transfer from practicality to style; the beautiful Mercedes-Benz 300SL, the world's first super car; a two-seat, closed sports car with characteristic gull-wing doors, and later, offered as an open roadster. An astounding road car, developed from a hugely successful racer.
The 300SL was best known for both its distinctive gull wing or butterfly wing doors and for being the first-ever gasoline-powered car equipped with fuel injection directly into the combustion chamber.
The Americans may lay claim to other innovative designs but the 1963-65 Chevrolet Corvette was a classic just on its styling. Most sports car fanatics will list it in their all time favourites along with the E-Type Jaguar.
Our next car is adored by some and disliked by others; it is the Citroën DS (also known as Déesse, or Goddess, after the punning initials in French).
The DS was well known for its futuristic, aerodynamic body design, and for its innovative technology. It featured power disc brakes, a hydro pneumatic suspension including an automatic levelling system and variable ground clearance, power steering and a semi-automatic transmission.
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Our next car was known affectionately as the ‘bubble car', the Isetta. Small (only 7.5 feet long by 4.5 feet wide) and egg-shaped, with bubble type windows, the entire front end of the car hinged outwards to allow entry. The steering wheel and instrument panel swung out with the single door, as this made access to the single bench seat simpler. The seat provided reasonable comfort for two occupants, and perhaps a small child. Behind the seat was a large parcel shelf with a spare wheel located below. A heater was optional, and ventilation was provided by opening the fabric sunroof.
Not as small as our previous innovator but equally as iconic the Fiat 500 (the “cinquecento” from the Italian word for “500”). Measuring only 2.97 m (9 ft 9 in) long, and originally powered by a tiny 479 cc two-cylinder, air-cooled engine, the 500 redefined the term “small car” and is considered one of the first city cars.
A true classic the Mini was only replaced in 2001 by the new Mini. In the international poll for the award of the world's most influential car of the twentieth century the Mini came second only to the Ford Model T. The Mini Cooper and Cooper “S” were sportier versions that were successful as rally cars, winning the Monte Carlo Rally three times.
Our next classic purely on its innovative, even odd styling is the Volvo P1800. Where have you seen it before? In 1962 a white Volvo 1800 was used in the TV series ‘The Saint'. If you have ever driven in one you would notice the limited view both back and front, but heck we're talking individuality here not practicality.
The original idea behind the very short “smart car” is that the vehicle is easy to park. It is short enough to allow it to be parked “nose-in” where a conventionally sized car would have to parallel park. Its length of 2.5 metres (98.4 in) equals the width of a truck or a regular parking slot, allowing two or three smarts to park in the same space as one normal car if parked side-on to the usual parking direction. The project idea was originally supported by Swiss watch manufacturer Swatch, and was nicknamed the “Swatchmobile”. The name SMART is an acronym for Swatch Mercedes ART. Similar to the objective for the Citroën 2CV in the 1940s, its purpose was to “transport two people and a case of beer”.
The AC Cobra was a British sports car built in the 1960s. It was not the first car to combine a lightweight European chassis and aluminium body with a big American V8 engine, but it is possibly the most famous. The later, larger-engined cars are still among the highest-performing road vehicles ever sold.
Bugatti is one of the fastest marques of automobile and one of the most exclusive Italian-French car producers of all time. The company is legendary for producing a few of the fastest sports cars in the world. Bugatti's cars were as much works of art as they were mechanical creations, with hand turned finishes on the engine blocks, lightening holes in every conceivable location, and safety wires threaded through almost every fastener in intricately laced patterns. He regarded his arch competitor Bentley's cars as “the world's fastest trucks” for focusing on durability. The most famous Bugattis are the Type 35 Grand Prix cars, the “Royale”, the Type 57 “ Atlantic ” and the Type 55 sports car.
OK! Yes, we know we have left out your favourite car here, whether they be the Dino Ferrarri, the E-Type Jag, the Shelby Mustang, the Trabant or even the Morris Minor, the point was about a history of individuality and innovation not the specific choices.
Now we move on to what is happening today and the concept cars, which could become classics like the Mini. We list them so you can assess what are the priorities for future innovators.
We start with THE APTERA (page X). By using their, low cost composite manufacturing methods, Accelerated Composites intend to produce a 330 mpg, ultra-efficient, two seat, hybrid car, possibly by 2008.
Powered by a 12 hp diesel engine and a 25 hp DC electric motor, running though an automatic CVT transmission, all hidden by the Aptera's slippery bodywork, which boasts the least drag of any mass-produced car.
All in, the Aptera weighs just 385 kg (850 lbs) allowing the car to achieve a slow, but acceptable, 0-60 time of around 11 seconds and a limited top speed of 95 mph.
The AUDI QUATTROFLEX (page X) (not affiliated with Audi), won the ‘Best Use of Technology Award' in the 2006 Interior Motives Design Awards. The Quattroflex's designer, Alexey Bykov, a student of Ural State Academy of Arts and Architecture in Russia . The similarity between the Quattroflex and olden-day horseless carriages was intentional.
The Audi Quattroflex is controlled via a centrally mounted joystick, allowing the vehicle to be driven from either side. The Quattroflex steers using its unique hub-less tilting wheels that tilt into the corner.
The AUDI RSQ, developed for the futuristic film ‘I, robot'. In a masterpiece of product placement and the RSQ generated almost as much interest as the film itself.
For the RSQ's creators the most important aspect of the design was that despite its extreme forward thinking the car should still be firmly recognisable as an Audi.
Interestingly the RSQ concept rides on spherical wheels giving it instantaneous movement in any direction, similar to the ball in a computer mouse.
The BMW H2R (page 19) The hydrogen-fuelled H2R set nine world records for cars powered by a 12-cylinder hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine. With a top speed of more than 185 mph, the H2R is not destined for mass production, but does help develop cleaner power plants for production models.
BMW CLEVER (Compact Low Emission VEhicle for URban Transport). This is a enclosed two-seater that combines the safety of a micro car, and the manoeuvrability of a motorcycle, while being less polluting than other vehicles as it runs on compressed natural gas, achieving a predicted 188 miles per gallon fuel efficiency. It measures only 1m wide and has a max speed of approx. 50 mph.
BMW CONCEPT COUPÉ MILLE MIGLIA. Inspired by the 1940 BMW 328, the basic design of the Concept Coupé was interpreted in a modern manner. The entire body of the concept vehicle is made out of a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). Rather than doors, it has a hinged hard top roof for access to the inside.
CITROEN C-BUGGY (page 19) Based on a 2005 concept, the Citroen C-Airplay, the C-Buggy has similar dimensions and styling. But where the C-Airplay was designed for practical city use, the C-Buggy concept is more of a radical design with its non-existent roof and dune buggy like features.
The Citroen C-Buggy concept features off-road items like a sump guard and slightly raised suspension.
MAZDA RYUGA (Japanese for ‘gracious flow') The Gull-winged Ryuga is the second of three concept cars following Mazda's new design language of ‘flow', a style first seen on the Mazda Nagare concept shown at the 2006 LA Auto Show.
The experimental ‘floating' centre cluster allows a high level of interface between the driver and the multifunction touch panel without having to take one's eyes off the road ahead. Information necessary for safe and dynamic driving is available to the driver with RPM and speed (which is shown in both analogue and digital formats) being displayed on the same axis.
DAIHATSU UFE-III (page 19) Is an ‘Ultra Fuel Economy' concept powered by a diminutive 660 cc Atkinson 3 cylinder engine and two electric motors. Part of the UFE-III's impressive fuel economy can be traced to the aerodynamic bodywork. The interior of the UFE III is set out in a 1+2 configuration, with two small seats crammed in behind the single central drivers seat. The UFE-III is controlled by steer-by-wire technology.
FORD INDIGO CONCEPT (page 19) Designed with Indy race cars in mind, hence the large spoilers front and back and the exposed wheel look, and actually thin matt black guards cover them.
Power for the concept was supplied by a 441bhp 6.0 litre V-12 engine giving the car an estimated top speed of 170mph and 0-60 time of under four seconds. The IndiGo's six-speed sequential transmission was derived from race cars, and gear changes were made by pressing Formula 1 style buttons on the steering wheel.
HYUNDAI GREENSPEED GATOR (page 19) Intended as a purely fictional interpretation of the future drag racer. Unlike the thirsty top fuel dragsters of old, the Greenspeed Gator is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell providing electricity for two huge electric motors housed in the large rear wheels.
The Gator's precarious looking low-slung hammock-like seat is protected by an integrated roll cage and a centre spine chassis.
NIKE ONE (page 19). The purely conceptual, but nevertheless brilliant Nike ONE concept was designed in conjunction with the revered Polyphony racing game, Gran Turismo 4.
The drivers sits in a laid-out-motorcycle rider position, their feet harnessed into pedal bike like clip-on foot pegs, and their hands are connected to the vehicles CPU via non-invasive bio-ports which allow for a direct man and machine neural interface. This enables the driver to fine-tune the control inputs by the power of thought. This is a concept remember.
RINSPEED SPLASH Swiss design company Rinspeed, created a sports car that transforms into a hydrofoil speedboat capable of a very respectable 50 mph.
Because Rinspeed does not have the funding of large manufacturers the Splash's styling has suffered, although this is partly due to the compromises necessary for the amphibious characteristics of the car, such as a narrow front end.
Transformation to a speed boat involves deploying a propeller at the rear, the large rear spoiler rolls under the car becoming the rear hydrofoil, and two hydrofoils integrated into the left and right sides of the splash swing down to form the front hydrofoils.
NISSAN PIVO (page 19). The egg-like Nissan Pivo concept from 2005 is an unusual city car concept with the unique ability to rotate its cabin 360 degrees. The Nissan Pivo also reduces blind spots by displaying the vehicles surrounding onto small monitors mounted on the A pillars.
A dash-mounted infrared (IR) commander allows the driver to operate the navigation and stereo systems with simple finger movements, without letting go of the steering wheel. Inside, seating for three is provided, with the driver in a central, slightly forward, seat.
The Nissan Pivo is powered by Nissan's own compact, high-performance lithium-ion battery and its unique Super Motor, results in zero emissions.
MINI BIOMOKE (page 19) Inspired by the original Mini Moke. All body components of the Mini BioMoke are formulated to biodegrade after a five-year life cycle, no sooner. The biodegradable sandwich panels used in constructing the BioMoke are implanted with palm tree seeds. As the Mini BioMoke completes its life cycle, its drive train will be passed on to future generations of BioMokes, while its body composts to grow trees.
The Mini BioMoke concept would be delivered in kit form, encouraging user interactivity with customizable body panels and alternative fuel power trains. The kit car format of the BioMoke also promotes the reusing of mechanical components from previous generations of vehicles, and the practice of recycling and reducing waste.
The Mini BioMoke concept is an optimistic and minimalist approach to travel as it relates to the issue of global warming and sustainable design.
MERCEDES-BENZ MOJAVE DESERT RUNNER (page 19). The highly advanced Mojave Runner is a gas-electric hybrid dune buggy designed to survive in extreme weather conditions and inhospitable terrain. Features include night vision, sandstorm radar and GPS sensors. Equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell generator, the Mojave Runner is able to provide electrical power for onboard tools and rescue equipment. The strong, lightweight exoskeleton frame is a combination of carbon-fibre and pressurized aluminium tubing that stores air for powering pneumatic power tools.
The Mojave Runner also uses intelligent adaptive tyres, which automatically adjust their tread depth to maximize performance both on and off the road.
PEUGEOT MOOVIE (page 19) An environmentally friendly city car. For the 2005 Frankfurt Auto Show Peugeot made a 1:1 scale model of the Moovie.
RENAULT RACOON (page 19) First seen in a 1992 film produced to show Renaults advances in digital imagery. The four-wheel drive Racoon had a watertight body, which could be lifted hydraulically for extra ground clearance. The amphibious Renault Racoon could reach 5 knots on water, powered by two water jets running off the main engine.
SMART CROSSTOWN. The Crosstown concept is configured mostly like the current two seat model. The Crosstown's most distinguished feature is a hybrid three-cylinder gas engine/electric motor, giving 10-percent better acceleration and 15-percent better fuel economy than current gasoline-powered for twos. The Crosstown also features a stowaway windshield, USB ports, and an optional navigation system.
VOLKSWAGEN CONCEPT T (page 19) The Concept T crossover vehicle displays attributes similar to both sports coupes and off road vehicles, and aimed to fill a gap in the international vehicle market.
The Concept T's up swinging doors are hinged off the A-pillars and swing both outward and upward. The concept T also features an easily removed T-bar roof as well as a removable rear roof section to effectively make it a convertible with a roll bar.
DAEDALUS (page 19) A car design inspired by the way a flower reacts to its environment received The Royal College of Art's Best Overall Concept Car award. Jonathan Putner, a student, designed the futuristic vehicle Daedalus with an interior optimized for social interaction between passengers.
All seats can be reclined and rotated in all directions, whereas the electro chromic transparent body panels can be darkened to respond to sunlight (and to provide privacy) to foster a family environment. In a nice touch, the child seats can be removed and transformed into a stroller.
SUZUKI S-RIDE. The Suzuki S-Ride from the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show was a concept that aimed to blur the line between cars and motorbikes, by offering the comfort and space of a small car, and the fun high performance experience provided by a motorcycle. However in an admirable attempt to do both, the S-Ride failed to do either all that well.
The S-Ride's 0.6 litre inline 3 cylinder and CVT auto gearbox could never offer the sort of performance bikes are capable of, and the impersonal tandem seating would have left the passenger feeling completely forgotten. The Suzuki S-Ride did have some tricks up its sleeve though, ‘Lovers Sync' being one of them. This Technology (pronounced gimmick) provided navigation to the location of someone you are talking to on the phone.
The S-Ride was not the first time Suzuki tried to blend cars with bikes, the Suzuki GSX-R4 being an earlier, and far superior concept.
So what is the final outcome, why do we all drive around in carbon copies, our fault, their fault, unfortunately we don't really know, perhaps a bit of both.
If you sit in the bar discussing the pros and cons of a model, style or manufacturer, or after a round of golf discuss how much you had to pay to get the latest model that nobody really noticed, maybe it is time to be adventurous. Do you have the guts to be outrageous? Are you aware enough about the world's environmental problems to demand a ‘green' car? And, is your ego so fragile you need a big, expensive gas-guzzling car to show how important or macho you are?
We didn't set out to give any answers just create a small amount of awareness of what we should/could be looking towards. Not gas guzzling boxes on wheels, but a variety of innovative machines designed for specific purposes and hopefully environmentally friendly, we hope you enjoyed the ride.
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