A car that's in control of its driver

Rinspeed Senso (Rinspeed)

Even the tactile senses are included in Senso. Should the central computer establish any symptoms of tiredness in the driver, electric motors integrated in the seat will shake him awake by vibrating.

Rinspeed is a regular contributor of far-sighted concept cars at the Geneva Motor Show, and this time around they're working with Bayer MaterialScience, one of the world's largest plastics producers, and an engineering specialty firm called Esoro.

Johannes Seesing, who specializes in automotive applications at Bayer, says, ''Together with our partners in the automotive industry, we are already carrying out research on the car of tomorrow. The Senso is an outstanding example of unconventional ideas and applied lateral thinking.''

The Senso is made possible by an innovative electroluminescent film technology developed by Bayer MaterialScience and the Swiss electronics specialist, Lumitec.

This ''smart surface technology'' is celebrating its world premiere in the automotive industry, and Seesing says the Senso shows ''what breathtaking possibilities this new technology can open up for car designers. The glowing material can be made into any shape and does not need electric bulbs or LEDs."

Rinspeed Senso (Rinspeed)

Rinderknecht makes the point that the Senso has more than inner values. ''It would, after all, not be a Rinspeed if it did not have a radical -- perhaps even controversial -- design, too. In particular, the clear-cut, no-nonsense design of the interior puts the driver very much in the spotlight. The driver sits alone in the middle of the front row, flanked behind by two Recaro passenger seats covered with Italian designer fabrics from X-Mobil.''

On the subject of design, says Rinderknecht, the use of carbon parts in both the interior and the exterior gives the overall car a cool, technical look.

Because the exterior shape of the vehicle borrows from the world of architecture, says Rinderknecht, ''it creates a tension-filled dynamic between moving and non-moving objects. The two-part structure of the rear end is reminiscent of bold roof constructions and deep chasms between ranks of skyscrapers. The interplay between smooth curves and sharp edges evokes attractive industrial architecture.''

The 1,385-kg Senso uses the 3.2-liter boxer engine from the Porsche Boxster S, modified to run on gasoline and natural gas. The engine produces 250 hp at 6,200 rpm and has a maximum torque of 225 lb-ft at 4,600 rpm that it sends to the rear wheels through a manual six-speed transmission.

Of course, if you try to wind the Senso up to make that Porsche engine sing, the car would probably try to overwhelm you with corrective stimulants.

This is the future, Swiss style.
photo:Rinspeed