Thursday, November 1, 2007

The Estate


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It's frustrating.

These images in my head -- I know I can never get them on paper or on a monitor screen the way I see them in my imagination...

And so, here I go again, describing a vehicle concept instead of offering images:



The Tellurian Estate


Mid-sized by 1970s standards, the Tellurian Estate would be considered a full-size "station wagon" today. Based largely on the Time Further Out, its seating capacity ranges from 5 to 8, the maximum being achieved with a front bench and a rear-facing third row for 2, both optional.

I'll stress again how much sense I think it makes to use a motor for each axle in electric passenger cars. With appropriate hardware and software, this gives you on-demand all-wheel-drive. Use a light foot, and you're cruising around in 'economy mode'. Punch it, and the other motor kicks in -- which also happens when the traction control system detects wheelspin. Both motors would always be employed for regenerative braking. Lockout switch disables the second motor ('valet mode')...

Should there be a problem with one motor, you'll be glad to have the second one to keep you moving.

The Tellurian Estate has a long nose, housing the battery packs up there to open up the rear for more passenger/cargo volume and provide a forward weight bias to offset passenger/cargo load. Handling will be at its best when you need it most, carrying many passengers or other precious cargo, weight balance then being closer to 50/50.

As the name implies, yes you can use this car on your country estate. On-demand all-wheel-drive and electropneumatic suspension give the Estate much more capability than a typical passenger car, allowing limited off-road use.

If you want to ride up high and tackle more challenging terrain, we offer the BRUTRUCK and EXOVAN.



Phil Smith
November 1, 2007

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