A Full Line?
_____
What are your automotive needs?
I keep coming up with new designs. Now (in my head) there's a full line of Tellurian Motors offerings, all electric, and all done in the same style.
I suppose I should work up something like a brochure, if for illustration purposes only... In the past, it never mattered. I could just do a rough sketch, or even keep a mental image of my concepts. I used to be very private with my sketches, showing them to very few close friends, if to anyone at all. If it existed in my mind, that was enough -- since I never expected any of them to be built.
Things have changed. Recent developments have not only inspired me to get 'back to the drawing board', but have given me resolve. Don't ask me how I'm gonna do it, but I fully intend to make Tellurian Motors more than a fantasy. So, yeah -- remind me to produce more images to share in this space.
A full line? Just about. There may be a few segments not covered, so far. Here are the models, in order of conceptualization:
The last two are very much still in my head, under development, but I've sketched many a Jeep alternative in the past, and the 5-door will resemble the original Lancia Delta in overall form. For that matter it will resemble the Pinto II, which is itself a flat-panel interpretation of the hugely underrated Ford Pinto...
If you want to really get down to it, only the Brubeck is anywhere near a final form, with EXOVAN a close second and the runabout third (though that one's so simple, it almost designs itself). I've actually got quite a bit of work to do...
Model by model:
The Brubeck, though conceived with twin bike engines, translates very well to electric power. One electric motor between the rear wheels, seating two in what looks like a bench until you settle into it, whereupon you discover that the upholstery stretches, and the foam underneath gives in, in just the right ways to provide proper support. One might compare it with the Tesla Roadster, but the Brubeck is more about style than performance. Of course it must have a killer sound system, which in the original would be eclipsed by the symphony of a pair of Kawasaki ZX14 engines...
BRUTRUCK is being redone. Silly me, the original version was steam-powered, with natural gas heating the boiler. One benefit of steam (external combustion) is torque, something every truck needs -- but electric motors are even better at delivering torque. BRUTRUCK is all-wheel drive, and the new electric iteration (with motors fore and aft) is very much like a rebodied EXOVAN, designed to accept Mattracks. It will be available in single-cab and crewcab versions, but no 'extended' cab.
Time Further Out, the touring sedan, will be as much for driving as arriving. You WILL be noticed in this car -- not that you wouldn't be in any other Tellurian vehicle, but this one exudes elegance. It seats five, so it could be your family car, but it could also be something for which you hire a chauffeur. Red carpet? Sure. Just don't forget to drive it yourself...
EXOVAN has been covered better than any other Tellurian Motors model, in this space. It remains 'our' most versatile offering.
The runabout, introduced as the Salt Flats Runabout, is quite versatile as well. It could serve as a city car, a street-legal golf cart, or even an ATV (fitted with the Litefoot variant of Mattracks). Simple enough to leave most glass panels off for open-air motoring. Select rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, choose open or closed, with any level of tint... This will be the easiest one to construct, so may represent the first Tellurian Motors vehicle ever built. I can see people enjoying them on sand dunes...
My first and second cars were early Ford Pintos. In my 20's, I admired their design and didn't need more than a 2+2. Plus, believe it or not, they were fun to drive. Conveniently, the form of a Pinto can be easily approximated in flat-panel design. The Tellurian Pinto II will be a great first car for twentysomethings, or indeed for any single person, or empty-nesters who fondly remember the fun of the original. Both hatchback ('glass-ass') and coupe versions will be offered.
Want a Jeep, but dismayed by how large the Wrangler has gotten? Behold the electric Tellurian 4X4, yet to be named. Its proportions mimic the venerated CJ3B, and yes it is a very basic off-roader. Removable hardtop is an option, but removable doors are standard and attach to a door bar, just a bit of safety-related bullshit for the insurance adjusters... The fold-down windshield is a given, but it will be frameless. Full rollcage, yes, and in square steel tubing, of course...
Last is the 5-door. At this point I have to give props to Giorgio Guigaro, who penned the original Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit and Scirocco, along with the Lancia Delta and countless others (including, while he was with Bertone, the Lamborghini Miura). For that matter I have to recognize Marcello Gandini, who did the Lamborghini Countach, Corvette Ramarro, and many other Bertone creations -- and William Towns of Aston Martin Lagonda and Aston Martin Bulldog fame.
I am, it must be said, influenced by my predecessors. No one can escape that. Yet, here I am, adapting the angularity that was in vogue in the 1970s to a simplistic construction technique...
The 5-door is a family car, or something for a single person who is considerate of passengers, perhaps a carpooler. It has a hatch and fold-down rear seats, for cargo capability. It is all-wheel-drive, with the front motor only being called upon when more power and/or traction is needed. It is relatively boring to look at, within the Tellurian Motors stable, but may outsell all others due to its practicality.
It may be called Omicron (a Greek letter somewhere in the middle of the alphabet, and a nod to the Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon or 'Omnirizon', the nearly identical Chrysler responses to the Rabbit -- be assured that it will be more attractive).
All of these vehicles will be (relatively) easy to prototype...
Now you're wondering what HAL 9000 is doing here. He/it is the inspiration for exterior lighting. Taillights, turn signals, headlights and driving lights. When you see it, you'll get it. Circles will offset the angles, in beautiful juxtaposition...
Phil Smith
August 18, 2007
_____
What are your automotive needs?
I keep coming up with new designs. Now (in my head) there's a full line of Tellurian Motors offerings, all electric, and all done in the same style.
I suppose I should work up something like a brochure, if for illustration purposes only... In the past, it never mattered. I could just do a rough sketch, or even keep a mental image of my concepts. I used to be very private with my sketches, showing them to very few close friends, if to anyone at all. If it existed in my mind, that was enough -- since I never expected any of them to be built.
Things have changed. Recent developments have not only inspired me to get 'back to the drawing board', but have given me resolve. Don't ask me how I'm gonna do it, but I fully intend to make Tellurian Motors more than a fantasy. So, yeah -- remind me to produce more images to share in this space.
A full line? Just about. There may be a few segments not covered, so far. Here are the models, in order of conceptualization:
- Sports car (Brubeck)
- Pickup (BRUTRUCK)
- Touring sedan (Time Further Out)
- Versatile off-road vehicle (EXOVAN)
- 2-passenger runabout
- 2+2 sporty coupe (Pinto II)
- Small 4-passenger 4X4
- 5-passenger 5-door hatchback
The last two are very much still in my head, under development, but I've sketched many a Jeep alternative in the past, and the 5-door will resemble the original Lancia Delta in overall form. For that matter it will resemble the Pinto II, which is itself a flat-panel interpretation of the hugely underrated Ford Pinto...
If you want to really get down to it, only the Brubeck is anywhere near a final form, with EXOVAN a close second and the runabout third (though that one's so simple, it almost designs itself). I've actually got quite a bit of work to do...
Model by model:
The Brubeck, though conceived with twin bike engines, translates very well to electric power. One electric motor between the rear wheels, seating two in what looks like a bench until you settle into it, whereupon you discover that the upholstery stretches, and the foam underneath gives in, in just the right ways to provide proper support. One might compare it with the Tesla Roadster, but the Brubeck is more about style than performance. Of course it must have a killer sound system, which in the original would be eclipsed by the symphony of a pair of Kawasaki ZX14 engines...
BRUTRUCK is being redone. Silly me, the original version was steam-powered, with natural gas heating the boiler. One benefit of steam (external combustion) is torque, something every truck needs -- but electric motors are even better at delivering torque. BRUTRUCK is all-wheel drive, and the new electric iteration (with motors fore and aft) is very much like a rebodied EXOVAN, designed to accept Mattracks. It will be available in single-cab and crewcab versions, but no 'extended' cab.
Time Further Out, the touring sedan, will be as much for driving as arriving. You WILL be noticed in this car -- not that you wouldn't be in any other Tellurian vehicle, but this one exudes elegance. It seats five, so it could be your family car, but it could also be something for which you hire a chauffeur. Red carpet? Sure. Just don't forget to drive it yourself...
EXOVAN has been covered better than any other Tellurian Motors model, in this space. It remains 'our' most versatile offering.
The runabout, introduced as the Salt Flats Runabout, is quite versatile as well. It could serve as a city car, a street-legal golf cart, or even an ATV (fitted with the Litefoot variant of Mattracks). Simple enough to leave most glass panels off for open-air motoring. Select rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, choose open or closed, with any level of tint... This will be the easiest one to construct, so may represent the first Tellurian Motors vehicle ever built. I can see people enjoying them on sand dunes...
My first and second cars were early Ford Pintos. In my 20's, I admired their design and didn't need more than a 2+2. Plus, believe it or not, they were fun to drive. Conveniently, the form of a Pinto can be easily approximated in flat-panel design. The Tellurian Pinto II will be a great first car for twentysomethings, or indeed for any single person, or empty-nesters who fondly remember the fun of the original. Both hatchback ('glass-ass') and coupe versions will be offered.
Want a Jeep, but dismayed by how large the Wrangler has gotten? Behold the electric Tellurian 4X4, yet to be named. Its proportions mimic the venerated CJ3B, and yes it is a very basic off-roader. Removable hardtop is an option, but removable doors are standard and attach to a door bar, just a bit of safety-related bullshit for the insurance adjusters... The fold-down windshield is a given, but it will be frameless. Full rollcage, yes, and in square steel tubing, of course...
Last is the 5-door. At this point I have to give props to Giorgio Guigaro, who penned the original Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit and Scirocco, along with the Lancia Delta and countless others (including, while he was with Bertone, the Lamborghini Miura). For that matter I have to recognize Marcello Gandini, who did the Lamborghini Countach, Corvette Ramarro, and many other Bertone creations -- and William Towns of Aston Martin Lagonda and Aston Martin Bulldog fame.
I am, it must be said, influenced by my predecessors. No one can escape that. Yet, here I am, adapting the angularity that was in vogue in the 1970s to a simplistic construction technique...
The 5-door is a family car, or something for a single person who is considerate of passengers, perhaps a carpooler. It has a hatch and fold-down rear seats, for cargo capability. It is all-wheel-drive, with the front motor only being called upon when more power and/or traction is needed. It is relatively boring to look at, within the Tellurian Motors stable, but may outsell all others due to its practicality.
It may be called Omicron (a Greek letter somewhere in the middle of the alphabet, and a nod to the Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon or 'Omnirizon', the nearly identical Chrysler responses to the Rabbit -- be assured that it will be more attractive).
All of these vehicles will be (relatively) easy to prototype...
Now you're wondering what HAL 9000 is doing here. He/it is the inspiration for exterior lighting. Taillights, turn signals, headlights and driving lights. When you see it, you'll get it. Circles will offset the angles, in beautiful juxtaposition...
Phil Smith
August 18, 2007
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