Maxximus World Records Highlight Power of LNG

April 13, 2012 | USA, Los Angeles CA

Maintaining the crown as the world’s fastest street-legal car, the Maxximus LNG 2000, the brainchild of financier Bruce McMahan and Indianapolis-based designer Marlon Kirby, has now set world records for both LNG (liquefied natural gas) and LPG (propane). By utilizing proprietary technology, the Maxximus team say they have revolutionized the next generation of green vehicles that provides “legendary” versatility for using both natural fuels and reducing our dependence on foreign fuel sources.

The Maxximus LNG 2000 achieved both records at the South Georgia Motorsports Park, with LNG records broken in January and LPG records broken in march.

The table below displays the results. Note the outstanding 0 – 60 mph (0 – 97 kph) in just 1.96 seconds.

MAXXIMUS	LPG	LNG
0 – 60 mph	2.6 seconds	1.96 seconds
0 – 150 mph		9.21 seconds
Speed in 1/4 mile	134 mph	159.9 mph
Speed in 1/4 mile	215.5 kph	257.3 kph
1/4 mile elapsed time	10.28 seconds	9.63 seconds

The car can run on LNG, CNG and LPG with on demand adjustments.

Centaur Performance Group is owned by financier and philanthropist Bruce McMahan, who states, “When it comes to automobile performance, natural gas is at the forefront of people’s thinking. By using both LNG and LPG instead of gasoline, Centaur is taking up the charge in doing all it can to reduce America’s dependence on foreign fuel sources.”

“Natural gas is a lot more attractive given the situation in the market, and there isn’t a car on the market that currently utilizes both LNG and propane. It’s the ultimate win-win for everybody,” commented Kirby.

In addition, Centaur is also developing a consumer-targeted line of vehicles called the Centaur Dragonfly that can be powered by four fuel types — gasoline, LNG, LPG and CNG (compressed natural gas).

(This article compiled using information from a Centaur Maxximus Motion press release)

Source

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Smart for-us concept puts a mega-pickup spin on the fortwo

By Ben Coxworth
16:39 December 7, 2011

Much as some people loathe it, I’ve always kind of liked the Subaru Baja. It has the quirky short-bed car/truck look of the Hummer, but isn’t anywhere near as large and nasty as that vehicle. Well, the designers at smart have taken the “little Hummer” idea to the extreme, with the for-us concept. Premiering next month at the North American International Auto Show, the two-seater electric car looks pretty much like a smart fortwo … with a little cargo bed in back.The for-us is a little larger than the fortwo – 613 mm (24 inches) longer, and 50 mm (2 inches) wider on each side. Its drive system consists of a 55-kilowatt magneto-electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack, delivering 130 Nm (95.88 ft lbs) of torque. Its top speed is reportedly over 120 mph (193 km/h), although there’s no word on range.

The 900-mm (3-foot) rear cargo area could presumably handle a rough, tough mountain bike or two, although it’s designed to accommodate a couple of smart ebikes – there’s even a docking station, to keep their batteries charged. The idea is that the car(?) could be driven to a pedestrian zone or municipal trail system, at which point the bikes would take over.

One of the for-us’ snazzier features is a powered retracting tailboard, which pulls back to allow the tailgate to lie flat, in turn allowing for easy access to the cargo area. The vehicle also features a rear-view camera, which is viewed through a smartphone mounted on top of the instrument panel.

Will we ever see the smart for-us for sale? Who knows? The prototype can be seen at the auto show in Detroit, however, from January 14th to 22nd.

Source and more photos

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Introducing the new MEV HUMMER HX-T™

Uploaded by minielectricvehicles on May 23, 2011

The NEW ELECTRIC HUMMER HX-T™

The Hummer is back, but it won’t remind you much of the gas guzzling monster SUV.

It’s more like the “Honey, I shrunk the kids” version.

My Electric Car scaled down the design of Hummer H2 and turned the gas guzzler into an all-electric car. Doesn’t sound anything like that V-8 monster that used to be popular on U.S. roads?

The car, which is only sold in Europe at the moment, gets more than 60 miles on a single charge, The company gives owners the option of upgrading to a lithium-ion battery that will boost the range to more than 100 miles.

The Hummer HX doesn’t have the roomy interior that its forefather had. It only has room for two people, and it doesn’t have a ton of cargo space either. But you can’t really blame it, since its only 9 feet long (roughly half as long as the H2).

According to MEV, General Motors planned to release the Hummer HX model in the United States, believing that it “would have saved them.” However, after the brand was shut down, My Electric Vehicle stepped in to buy the design.

There isn’t a ton of information on how fast this thing goes, but it’s got plenty of options, including a convertible, heated seats, DVD system and 18-inch rims. It also comes in burnt orange and other terribly bright colors.

Read More: Source

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• smart for-us concept puts a mega-pickup spin on the fortwo (gizmag.com)