The best of both worlds
The Rinspeed eXasis is a little roadster capable of reaching a top speed of 210 kph after accelerating from 0 to 100 kph in only 4.8 seconds. Usually, when driving such a high-performance machine, we tend to feel somewhat guilty because of all the fuel that we burn and send into the environment. But that's not the case with the eXasis. Why?
You see, this wonderful roadster is powered by a 750-cc, 2-cylinder Weber engine that produces 150 horsepower. This ultra compact powerplant runs on E85 fuel (85 % ethanol) and achieves a 6.3 L/100 km rating, which is the equivalent of a 4.5 L/100 km consumption for a regular, gasoline-powered vehicle. In addition, E85 fuel allows the engine to emit only 20 grams of toxic particles per kilometre. By comparison, a midsize car rejects about 200 g/km -- 10 times more.
The exceptional performance and fuel economy delivered by the Rinspeed eXasis can be credited to another feature: the 750-kg Makrolon polycarbonate body structure built by Swiss Car Design Company and Bayer MaterialScience AG. The roadster also uses several polyurethane components.
photo:Rinspeed
The Rinspeed eXasis is a little roadster capable of reaching a top speed of 210 kph after accelerating from 0 to 100 kph in only 4.8 seconds. Usually, when driving such a high-performance machine, we tend to feel somewhat guilty because of all the fuel that we burn and send into the environment. But that's not the case with the eXasis. Why?
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You see, this wonderful roadster is powered by a 750-cc, 2-cylinder Weber engine that produces 150 horsepower. This ultra compact powerplant runs on E85 fuel (85 % ethanol) and achieves a 6.3 L/100 km rating, which is the equivalent of a 4.5 L/100 km consumption for a regular, gasoline-powered vehicle. In addition, E85 fuel allows the engine to emit only 20 grams of toxic particles per kilometre. By comparison, a midsize car rejects about 200 g/km -- 10 times more.
The exceptional performance and fuel economy delivered by the Rinspeed eXasis can be credited to another feature: the 750-kg Makrolon polycarbonate body structure built by Swiss Car Design Company and Bayer MaterialScience AG. The roadster also uses several polyurethane components.
photo:Rinspeed
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