good story

"Eco Car World 2005" was organized in Yokohama the other day. This is the 20th time this event is being held; 93 cars with electric engines or natural gas engines were exhibited at the event, but the eight-tired vehicle, "ELICA," seemed to be the most unique amongs' all the cars.

This car was developed by the industry-university joint research center whose members include the Keio University Electric Car Research Center and 38 companies. This electric vehicle, which uses lithium batteries, has achieved high speed specs, with an acceleration velocity of 0.8G, reaching 400 km/h at maximum speed (the actual record to date is 370km/h). Moreover, the fuel-efficient cars of late has mileage of a few dozen kilometers, however, ELICA, surprisingly, is able to run 100 km on just 100 yen of electric fuel.

It was designed after the catamaran ships of the Polynesia; its streamlined body is sandwiched closely by eight tires, minimizing wind resistance and increasing the stability of the car body. We hope that dream cars like this will be made available to us soon.

Related URL/media
http://www.eliica.com/