Thursday, January 27, 2011

Rinspeed X-Trem Concept, 1999

Rinspeed X-Trem Concept, 1999

 
 
 
In the words of Frank M. Rinderknecht founder and owner of Rinspeed Inc.: "Pick-up vehicles are - especially in the U.S. - very popular. However, many times I remarked that these kind of cars were pulling a trailer loaded with objects for sporting activities or for the job. Yet, the pick-up bed stayed empty for most of the times. The actual vehicle was not being used for what it was designed for". In the analysis of this fact it became quickly obvious that the obstacles of the height of the bed and the tail-gate were not easy to overcome. How - for example - does one load a motorcycle quickly and safely on the bed?

"X-Tra-Lift"
Equipped with this unique loading device, any new or used pick-up truck can take all kinds of goods or platforms. These goods are swiftly loaded by an electrically or hydraulically powered swivel crane - which at the same time can be designed as a anti-roll-bar - from the ground to the bed and of course unloaded the same way. The obstacles of the weight, loading height and tail-gate are easily overcome.
The universal conception of this lifting system allows an extensive and comprehensive use as a multiplex system. The car transforms itself easily from a sport to a leisure as well as to commercial vehicle and back.

As innovative the "X-Tra-Lift" presents itself, as futuristic and avant-garde the latest creation of Rinspeed Design, the X-Trem, is concepted. One of the most remarkable features is surely the fact that the Rinspeed X-Trem complies with valid European Union legislation and is a fully-fledged road-going design. "We wanted to build an exclusive car, but one that could be taken out on the roads as well as acting as a pilot project at exhibitions." This ambitious target has certainly been achieved.

One of the world's smallest, yet functional hovercraft is loaded as a special "presentation cargo" on the Rinspeed X-Trem. This air propeller driven and hovering fun vehicle can be piloted easily over all kinds of surfaces: water, land, sand and snow.

The technical features
Under the wide engine cover which electrically tilts forward, power is supplied in plenty by a 5.5-litre-aluminum-block V8 engine from Mercedes-Benz, it develops no less than 347 bhp. This engine, coupled to an automatic transmission, whisks the four-wheel-drive two seater - the base consists of an extended chassis from the Mercedes-Benz M-class - from a standstill to 100 km/h in only 6.9 seconds, with a top speed of 235 km/h attainable when conditions permit. The torque is herculean: at 3'500 rpm already the maximum of 520 Nm is developed.

The technical base of the M-class by Mercedes-Benz inspired the typical "four-eyes-face" of the DaimlerChrysler Group - known from the model E- and CLK. The pronounced engine hood links unmistakably to the typical design lines of the American offshoot Chrysler.

The composite body gives the X-Trem an exceptionally rigid structure and a gross weight of only 1'860 kilograms, with the result that its power-to-weight ratio would be the envy of many a driver of exclusive Italian sports cars.
The two windshields are electrically adjustable and move in and out of the powered engine hood in order to protect the passengers from unpleasant wind drafts.
All wheels are hung independently and the 18-inch wheels and tires of sizes (285/50 at the front and rear) guarantee a perfect handling.

The interior
The interior presents itself also in a new way. At the first glance the centrally located LCD-screen with touch-screen functions is attracting attention. All functions of the car, the navigation-system, the radio, the access to email and the internet via a GSM- or satellite-connection are controlled at a finger-tip. All menus are easily and discretionary called up.

The materials used for the interior connect to the leisure time use of the Rinspeed X-Trem: deep black Neoprene, steel colored and checkered Carbon-tissue. As an unusual element the seat cushions are easily reversible. By this feature not only the look of the interior can be swiftly changed, but the tissues are adapted to the use of the vehicle.
The drivers are not neglected: An exclusive stainless steel humidor with a integrated humidifier invites to a cigar break.

The development work
For the realization of this project Frank M. Rinderknecht worked with the most modern technologies and the best specialists of the Swiss car industry. Despite that Switzerland does not have an international reputation in the automotive industry, every year an astonishing numbers of concept cars and prototypes are made in this country.

For the first time, Rinspeed called upon the services of the Swiss engineering company Esoro as a general contractor for the design, the engineering and the construction of the X-Trem. Esoro materialized this demanding task in cooperation with Richard Gresens - a the former designer of VW and partner in William M. Schmidt Associates - and the prototype and suspension specialist Schwaller Movement Engineering who also manufactures components for Sauber Formula One. In just six and a half months the X-Trem with its new lifting system and a hovercraft body have been fabricated by the competent and efficient engineering team.

Rinspeed E-Go Rocket Concept, 1998

Rinspeed E-Go Rocket Concept, 1998


 
 

As many times before the Rinspeed Design company, led by Frank M. Rinderknecht, has come up with something very special: the small Swiss automobile specialist has created a vehicle that blends traditional beauty and forward-looking technology in a most impressive way - the Rinspeed E-Go Rocket. Inspired by one of the world famous record setting cars on the salt flats and developed in only six months time, his company's contribution to the Geneva "Salon de l'Auto", is an eye-catcher that could well generate active discussion among the visitors.

The high-performance tires come from Continental, which are mounted on specially developed wheels supplied by Antera. Running-gear technology comes from the Eibach company, which not only works for the leading international motor-sport teams but also for the McLaren Formula 1 Racing Team. For the Rinspeed E-Go Rocket, Eibach is exhibiting in Geneva competition shock absorbers with four-position adjustment which it has itself developed. The Remus company has produced an optimized-flow exhaust system for the Rinspeed E-Go Rocket. The Swiss company Rieter Automotive Systems supplied the finest of all carpets for the interior, the acoustic foams and the heat-shields. The vehicle was built by TLC Carossiers Inc. in Florida and transported by the air-freight specialist Lufthansa Cargo to Europe. Burg Design created stunning interior and exterior elements by the use of a special high-tech process. Audio entertainment and flawless route planning are taken care of by a hi-fi radio and CD system and the first-class navigation equipment from Philips Car Systems. The custom luggage bag was made by the Swiss travel goods company De'Shama.

Frank M. Rinderknecht utilized the very latest techniques in his development work. The vehicle was drafted out by computerized (CAD/CAM) methods. Changes are scarcely ever needed when the full-scale model is made. As Rinderknecht explains: "Using CAD/CAM, we obtain unsurpassed processing quality and also an unbeatable development speed."

Under the wide engine cover, the supercharged aluminum-block V8 engine has a rated output of 410 horsepower. This compact and centrally located power-pack accelerates the single-seater to 100 km/h from a standstill in just 4.8 seconds (and on to a top speed of 260 km/h). The Rinspeed E-Go Rocket's composite body gives it outstanding strength and rigidity, but at the same time keeps its weight down to 1'050 kilograms. The inclination of the windshield is adjustable to the speed driven. The interior presents itself also in a new way: The seat is covered in washed blue denim. The 18-inch wheels are shod with 235/50 and 255/45 tires.

The Rinspeed E-Go Rocket, Frank M. Rinderknecht's latest automobile creation as its precessor the Rinspeed Mono Ego, is equally notable for the fact that it is a fully road-going car that complies with valid European Union legislation. "We wanted to build an exclusive car, but one that could be taken out on the roads as well as acting as a pilot project at exhibitions." With these words, Rinderknecht emphasizes the ambitious objectives he put into effect when designing and building the Rinspeed E-Go Rocket. The price of Rinspeed's latest avant-garde creation, to be built only on order, has not yet been determined.

Rinspeed Mono Ego Concept, 1997

Rinspeed Mono Ego Concept, 1997


 
 
 
The French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac (who numbers champagne producer Pommery among his clients) has transformed the Mono Ego into a mobile work of art. In the words of Frank M. Rinderknecht: "We granted him every possible freedom. The result is a multicultural work of art, created jointly by the Swiss Rinspeed company and by Castelbajac."

The tires come from the Dunlop company, which developed a high-tech tire with a novel tread pattern specially for the wheels supplied by Antera. This new tire generation was scheduled to reach the market by the Spring of 1997. Running-gear technology comes from the Eibach company, which not only works for the leading international motor-sport teams but also for the McLaren Formula 1 racing team. For the Rinspeed Mono Ego, Eibach is exhibiting in Geneva competition shock absorbers with four-position adjustment which it has itself developed. The Remus company has produced an optimized-flow exhaust system for the Rinspeed Mono Ego. The Swiss company Rieter Automotive Systems supplied the finest of all carpets for the interior. To ensure that Jean-Charles de Castelbajac's artistry reaches its full flower on the car's body, which was built by TLC Carossiers Inc. in Florida and transported by the air-freight specialist Lufthansa to Europe, the Burg Design company digitized all the plans and drawings by a special high-tech process. Audio entertainment and flawless route planning are taken care of by a hi-fi radio and CD system and the first-class navigation equipment from Philips Car Systems. Headlights, rear lights and mirrors come from the Hyundai Tiburon Coupé, and the exclusive golf bag was made by the Swiss travel goods company De'Shama.

Frank M. Rinderknecht utilized the very latest techniques in his development work. The vehicle was drafted out by computerized (CAD/CAM) methods, which permit every detail of a 1:10 scale model to be processed with such precision that changes are scarcely ever needed when the full-scale model is made. As Rinderknecht explains: Using CAD/CAM, we obtain unsurpassed processing quality and also an unbeatable development speed."

Under the body, which recalls racing cars of an earlier era, the supercharged aluminum-block V8 engine has a rated output of 410 horsepower. This compact power-pack accelerates the single-seater to 100 km/h from a standstill in just 4.8 seconds (and on to a top speed of 258 km/h). The Rinspeed Mono Ego's aluminum body gives it outstanding strength and rigidity, but at the same time keeps its weight down to 960 kilograms - yielding a power-to-weight ratio that will delight and impress even those who favor the most exclusive Italian sports cars. The 16-inch wheels are shod with 245/65 and 275/70 tires and protected by almost invisible fenders - the visual effect simulated by the tire treads creating a convincing optical illusion.
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