Rinspeed has used the Geneva Motor Show in recent years as a launching pad for its eclectic concept cars. The 2008 Geneva Motor Show featured a Rinspeed entry called the sQuba, which was proclaimed the world’s first submersible car. The Swiss innovator used the 2009 Geneva Motor Show to present the iChange, an electric-powered car with one flip-up door and seats that could be rotated and pushed down to accommodate up to three people. Rinspeed is pushing the envelope for the upcoming Geneva Motor Show with its “intelligent mobility” concept EV, the UC?.
The UC? is a two-seat electric vehicle built with lightweight materials. Rinspeed states that UC? stands for “urban commuter” as well as “you see?,” a nod to the company’s intriguing designs. This concept EV is capable of traveling up to 75 miles on a single charge. The maximum speed of the UC? is 68 miles per hour, more than sufficient for the needs of urban dwellers in Europe.
Rinspeed representatives would be quick to point out that the UC? is more than just an electric car. The joystick controls used to navigate the UC? go against the grain of traditional steering. The UC? is intended not for long drives but short commutes from train station to train station. As drivers get stuck in traffic, they would be able to reserve passage aboard a nearby train via an onboard computer. The UC? would be compatible with Rinspeed’s railcar loading system that would make loading and disembarking easy from commuter trains.
The UC? was not only the work of Rinspeed designers but more than 20 partners throughout western Europe. This novel EV would not have been possible without the help of Li-Tec Battery GmbH, which produced the lithium-ion battery under the hood. The collaboration by Rinspeed with companies like A.T. Kearney Global Management Consultants, watchmaker Carl F. Bucherer and Esoro shows how much work went into developing this concept. The UC? also demonstrates the distance still to cover by cities, national governments, automakers and engineers in simplifying urban mobility. In addition to mass production of a vehicle like the UC?, we would also need EV charging stations and comprehensive rail coverage in major urban areas. Rinspeed’s latest design should serve as a challenge to cities around the world to focus on creating efficient forms of transportation rather than maintaining the status quo.
