The new petrol-killer!
Bonjour, bonjour! Why the amazing degree-level-standard French? Because I recently took a trip across the Channel and headed to Nice to check out a prototype car that’s powered by nothing but air – the AIRpod!
Looking like something designed by a sci-fi comic book artist from the 60s, the AIRpod is powered by compressed air. It can hold up to 200l of air, and it’s so densely packed that when it’s released the air expands and it’s forced into cylinders to drive the wheels.
So how do you fill it up? Imagine pumping your tyres and it’s a bit like that, only you can fill up the air tank in around two miles. And on a full tank you go 125miles! There’s even an onboard compressor that can fill the car up overnight from the air around it.
With a couple of joysticks for control, the AIRpod is a clean, efficient way of getting around. Find out when it’ll be floating across the Channel in the video above. Zut Alors!
User comments (4)
Leave a comment
Tommy Moore25 August 2009
There is a typo in the second paragraph: "you can fill up the air tank in around two miles" I believe that you meant two minutes.
Report as inappropriateKB25 August 2009
Looks absolutely fantastic... and looking into it a bit... it may be too good to be true. To quote Wikipedia "the only published test of a vehicle running on compressed air alone was limited to a range of 7.22 km". That 125 mile range may be more like 5. (Unless MDI *proves* otherwise...) How far did the Gadget Show take it without a refuel?
Report as inappropriatenige7103 September 2009
Can't wait for this concept to take off, it seem so simple and much better idea than the Hybrid cars that are being sold at the moment. But I'm sure the government will do all they can to stop this from ever happening, because unless they can make a mint off it and tax us all to hell, it will never become economically viable concept... oh yes greed is good Mr Brown.
Report as inappropriateBlutoya23 September 2010
More information.... Test it, beat it about a bit, come on GS lets have some more info, where can we get one, how much, is it any good, what the options? see it evolve??? can you charge it at a petrol forecourt air-line, (approx 20p)
Report as inappropriateJoin Channel 5
Creating an account is free, will only take a few moments and will allow you to enjoy the full benefits of 5FWD and Channel 5:
Leave a comment