Modern Caravan Design by Rob Villa
While the old fashioned road trip is still popular and sought after by college students and families, some means of going on one have all but vanished, namely Caravans. Whether Isley-Jasper-Isley’s 1985 hit song “Caravan of Love” had anything to do with their demise is up for debate but the typically stale designs of those available haven’t helped much either. This problem drove young designer Rob Villa to create the coolest caravan since, well… this one. The sleek design was inspired by 50s style and air-streams, evident in the whitewall tires and overall aerodynamic form. It features a bedroom situated above the main living room thats accessible by way of an electronically operated pop up roof; a fully functioning bathroom and kitchen equipped with a fold out breakfast area; a fold down rear panel providing more indoor or outdoor space and many more. This would be awesome for the guys who spend weekends at the track racing motorcycles or the guys who spend days at the beach surfing. Let’s see if it ever goes to production.
See more of this concept after the jump.
The Husqvarna Panthera Leo Concept Lawn Mower
The Husqvarna Panthera Leo is a conceptual lawn mower developed with the eco-conscious home owner in mind. In an effort to reduce the pollution associated with maintaining a lush green lawn, this mower is powered only by electric motors and is constructed from recycled materials. With a claimed two hours of riding time per charge, most home owners should be able to cut an entire lawn. If not, the mower charges overnight using a standard outlet. The boundaries of lawn mower technology are further pushed with sensors that tell the operator whether a hill is too steep or if an obstacle is approaching. While likely redundant, these features merely supplement the impressive ecological accolades of the Husqvarna Panthera Leo.
See more images after the jump.
Honda CB750 Smart Bike
Honda’s futuristic 2015 CB750 concept appears to be simply the next in a long line of pioneering motorcylces, but if the technology it promises actually makes it to the marketplace, we think it will once again set the standard for sportbikes. The CB-Series has been revered for many years, embracing Honda’s “less is more” mentality that has carried over into every mode of transportation that Honda produces. At a time when other motorcycle companies were producing massive v-twins laden with superfluous parts, Honda one-upped its competitors by making light, sporty, compact motorbikes with powerful inline engines. These bikes are still sought after today, for good reason. This newest iteration of the series features a hydrogen-powered 750cc engine with a dual clutch transmission and Nissan GTR-like launch and grip controls. An electro-magnetic suspension similar to those pioneered and perfected by Cadillac helps pilot the CB750 through tight S-curves, and myriad safety features like an airbag (seriously!), traction control, ABS, and laser guiding braking compliment the bikes aggressive look. The bike also features touch-screen OLED displays that make today’s distance-to-empty gauges seem just a little dated: things such as driving behavior, tuning information, and driving record are logged continuously throughout one’s travels. Rounding out the futuristic package is the expected aluminum and carbon fiber frame. If the CB750 can deliver on its promises, Honda’s reputation for benchmark motorcycles should be safe until at least 2016.
See more images of the Honda CB750 Smart Bike after the jump.
Rinspeed iChange Concept
Swiss tuning gurus Rinspeed have contiuned their rich tradition of designing concept vehicles for the Geneva Motor Show and presented us with the iChange concept. Their President, Frank Rinderknecht, suggests that the iChange should not be taken as one of many new green vehicles but rather a symbol of the impending change of the auto industry. To quote Rinderknecht, “[I]t is clear that only those companies will survive that have innovative answers for the demands of a new automotive era.” Rinspeed’s idea behind the iChange is certainly innovative: the lightweight, electric motor-driven vehicle actually modifies its body in accordance with the weight of the passengers onboard. Borrowing R&D from Siemens AG, the iChange’s electric motors are powered by lithium batteries, which are interchangeable depending on the duration of your trip. A Subaru-sourced gearbox is coated with eco-friendly Motorex lubricants, and Opel donated both the head and taillights. While the iChange might have borrowed from a few proven sources, the intent behind its design is pure; this is a car we could use right now.
See more of the Rinspeed iChange Concept Car after the jump.
Lexus LF-A Concept
The Tokyo Motor Show could see Toyota’s unveiling of the production version of the Lexus LF-A. It was originally expected to debut in Frankfurt, but with companies such as D-3, Mercedes, Renault, and Lamborghini pulling out, this is Toyota’s chance to have a big showing with their latest concept ride. The Lexus LF-A is V10-powered, 600-hp supercar that has a very streamlined design. Stay tuned in October at the Tokyo Motor Show to see this stunning machine revealed.
More images of the Lexus LF-A after the jump.
