Gadgets, cars, hybrid, hybrid vehicles, xr-3

XR-3 Hybrid: 225 mpg Electric/Diesel Available in May?

There's a hybrid hoedown happening, with innovative ideas for efficient vehicles zipping around left and right, but this XR-3 Hybrid is different: It might actually find its way to the reality-based world as soon as two months from now. This diesel/electric hybrid is an odd-looking three-wheeler with a 40-mile range when it's running on just electricity, and an outlandish 225 miles per gallon when in hybrid mode.

Who cares if it's a bit unusual-looking, we like its clamshell canopy and Back to the Future design. It's smart, too, with its two front wheels powered by that internal combustion engine, while that rear wheel is powered by an electric motor, which is designed to be used exclusively on short trips. But there's a catch.

You won't be able to buy one of these at your local car dealer. Designed as a plans-built vehicle, the company says body and chassis kits will be available after the plans are released, in May.

Pricing hasn't been set, but you'll have to be a fairly skilled craftsman to build one of these babies. Not to worry, though—if it actually performs as advertised, there will probably be plenty of willing and able car builders stepping in, offering to build you one for the right price. – Charlie White

Designer's Page [Robert Q. Riley, via Treehugger]

6:45 PM on Wed Mar 21 2007
By Charlie White
12,854 views
20 comments

Comments

Laura at 04:54 PM on 03/21/07
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NOW how am I supposed to focus at work for the rest of my day?
hoofdpijn at 05:04 PM on 03/21/07
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It looks like the Popular Mechanics Tri-Magnum from the 80's.

http://www.rqriley.com/tri-mag.html
goodbaum at 05:06 PM on 03/21/07
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God knows why in the year 2007 they chose to design a car with popout headlights. Modern headlights would be just as aerodynamic and LED headlights would use less energy. They should take inspiration from 2006s Mazda concepts (Kabura, Ryuga, Nagare). The car already makes use of a pontoon like fender so these headlights could be incorporated so easily to make this thing have a much more dynamic presence.
Hoffen at 05:19 PM on 03/21/07
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Im always kind of skeptical of a product launching within two months when there are no REAL pictures of even a prototype!
Drizzten at 05:27 PM on 03/21/07
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Can't argue with 225MPG and I'm all for advances in diesel-electric hybrid vehicles (the Ford Reflex is an example), but a three-wheeler? I can't help but wonder about its stability at highway speeds.
m3talsyr3n at 05:28 PM on 03/21/07
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Hey, I would kill for a 3-wheel, one or two person car, USA seriously needs one, ant not built by GM cos GM would find a way to screw it up, and then sell it at $100+.

We need small vehicles, at small prices.
I mean, DUH.
i.am.mozman at 05:37 PM on 03/21/07
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I can see Mr. Bean in a modern mini bumping one of these out of a car park or forcing it off the road.
RiceBandit at 05:41 PM on 03/21/07
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I think I unlocked one of these in Mario Kart.
doofusgumby at 05:49 PM on 03/21/07
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Drizzten: three wheelers with two of 'em in front are inherently ALMOST as stable as a four wheel vehicle. and as long as the body design includes the kind of aerodynamics and underbody air channel like on formula cars, the downforce generated would increase traction the faster in went.

and I say almost as stable as four wheelers because the one rear wheel is a bit easier to break loose on a turn if it hits a slippery spot.
rickgrx at 06:35 PM on 03/21/07
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@doofusgumby

So you're saying I'll finally be able to beat those kids at drifting? I'll take three!
HiroNakamura at 06:40 PM on 03/21/07
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This hybrid kinda looks like a crome cockroach.
manticor at 06:47 PM on 03/21/07
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but can it play Doom?
lightshow at 07:31 PM on 03/21/07
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But will it blend?
appleface at 08:09 PM on 03/21/07
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How about crash ratings, any info on that? Does anyone care about what happens when one of these gets hit by something. From the looks of this thing I wouldn't even want to get in a fender bender with a golf cart...
Hello_Newman at 10:48 PM on 03/21/07
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Yeah it's 225mpg until you crank up the stereo and see the electric drive volt meter take a nosedive :) I wonder if they are selling it as a kit to avoid things like crash ratings? The price is going to far outweigh any gas you save compared to buying a 1986 Honda CRX and fixing it up...
yardameus at 11:32 PM on 03/21/07
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As of right now, it looks like the only thing they've actually made is a tri-spoke wheel (with tire). Right on schedule.
Laura at 11:38 PM on 03/21/07
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Yeah, if this is any kind of highway legal (I live in Atlanta, everything has to be highway legal for me to get to work...) then lord do I want one. Though that tiny engine concerns me a little at second glance too....it just feels like even with the electric motor there's not enough impulse for typical driving.
jimmyrizzo at 11:55 PM on 03/21/07
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So, when it rains and you want to get out of this thing, eveyrbody gets wet and so does the interior?
cmonaussiecmon at 12:31 AM on 03/22/07
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I love it and would be keen to get in line for one (depending on cost of course) but I have a few questions.

There is a fairly big blind spot to the rear and I see no rear view mirros in any of the drawings. How do you change the rear tyre if you get a flat (for that matter where does the spare go and would you need 2 spares seeing the front and rear tyres are different)
melissabeckner-rqriley at 01:33 PM on 03/29/07
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If you want to know more about the XR-3, just go to the website: http://www.rqriley.com/xr3.htm
You will know a lot more about this vehicle if you read up on it...