The iChange's most innovative feature comes in its ability to morph from a single-seat road-ready sports car into what Rinspeed calls a "3 passenger sports van." Something is perhaps lost in translation from the original German in calling the iChange Concept a van, but nonetheless the iChange can carry either one or three passengers depending on configuration.
When in multipassenger configuration, it sports a 1+2 seating configuration similar to that of the McLaren F1. The best part is that the iChange seating configuration change can be made electronically at the touch of a button. Like the remote start and "door" unlock functions, the driver uses an Apple iPhone to control the Rinspeed iChange in its body reconfiguration.
In reality, there are no doors at all. The entire front section of the body lifts off when it is given the remote command, allowing driver and passenger easy entry.
As all the new electric sports car concepts go, the Rinspeed iChange carries nothing too exciting in the power department. Due to current limitations in lithium ion batteries, electric car manufacturers have not yet figured out how to build a battery that can output real sports car horsepower while still providing adequate range.
The Rinspeed iChange has a stellar 0-60 time of just 4.2 seconds all the way up to a top speed of 220 km/h, but the range reported in preliminary specifications is a pathetic 90 km, rendering what looks like an exciting electric sports car essentially useless on the street until something can be done about electric car battery technology.
Keep an eye on Rinspeed and the iChange, as the German tuning powerhouse has the knowhow and the funding to pull off some wonderous things as eco-friendly sports car technology improves.
-RSportsCars
Rinspeed iChange Alters its Shape - and Automotive Thinking
Official Rinspeed Press Release
Zumikon, Switzerland - World debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2009 (March 5th-15th): The Swiss auto powerhouse Rinspeed presents the 'iChange,' the world's first car whose body adapts to the number of passengers on board. For Rinspeed boss Rinderknecht the vehicle is more than just a clever concept car. The "iChange" is a symbol for the fundamental changes the auto industry undergoes worldwide. And it is clear that only those companies will survive that have innovative answers for the demands of a new automotive era." The visionary Rinderknecht is convinced that the days of gas-guzzling behemoths are coming to an end: "The „iChange" is a signal for the coming global changes to individual mobility. We need to be ready to meet these challenges with new ideas."
In seconds a streamlined one-seater sports car transforms into a comfortable car with ample room for three. The trick: At the push of a button the rear end of the teardrop-shaped car magically pops up. "We have designed and built an extremely flexible vehicle. In it we have brought the themes of versatility and continually changing energy demands to their logical conclusions." The result is a streamlined, lightweight zero-emission car with dramatically reduced energy consumption.
The basic idea behind the 'iChange:': The energy demand of a vehicle depends mostly on its weight, the type of engine it uses, and its aerodynamic properties. The engineering-services company Esoro that traditionally builds Rinspeed concept cars has built an extremely lightweight car weighing in at only 1'050 kilograms. To power the car, the Swiss specialists chose an electric motor. The idea of the pop-up rear end was conceived to account for the sizeable effect aerodynamics play in fuel consumption.
While other cars always have to ferry around their puffed-up exteriors that can accommodate up to seven passengers even if they're just transporting a single soul, the „iChange" features an adaptive body. The sole driver is conveyed in a teardrop-shaped car that offers optimal aerodynamic properties and thus minimized energy consumption. If more than one person need to be transported the expanding rear provides room for two passengers. As a result of the increased weight and no longer optimal aerodynamics the energy consumption increases - but only for the time passengers are actually on board.
The energy for the electric motor comes from lithium-ion batteries that are available in two different stack configurations for short- and long-distance driving. The electric motor of the „iChange" produces 150kW, capable of propelling the car to a top speed of 220 km/h. The sprint from rest to 100 km/h takes just slightly over four seconds. This impressive performance is made possible with the help of a six-speed pre-selector gearbox from the Subaru WRX car. The central research department of Siemens AG (Corporate Technology, CT) supplied the integration technology for engine/generator, electronics and battery connection interface. Siemens has long been one of the world leaders for energy systems and eco technology with pioneering concepts for electric drive systems. Its products cover the entire electric value-added chain from generation to distribution to consumption. The gearbox and drivetrain are lubricated with eco-friendly lubricants from Motorex. Custom-made lightweight 17" and 18" forged wheels with aerodynamic shrouds are supplied by light-alloy wheel specialists AEZ. Pirelli P Zero tires in size 215/40-17 in front and size 245/40-18 in back provide optimal grip.
An initial walk-around reveals that the concept car has no doors. The entire electrically powered roof section of the car measuring just 1.03 meters in height tilts forward to allow passengers to board. Also gone are such mundane things as a key. Its role is filled by an Apple iPhone, which also controls the most important vehicle functions. The „iChange" is drastically different than ordinary cars in every detail: At the heart of the concept car lies the groundbreaking next-generation Harman/Kardon infotainment system. The system uses an innovative Intel processor technology that guarantees minimized power consumption. The same is true for the Harman/Kardon high-efficiency audio system. This revolutionary technology meets highest demands on sound quality, weighs much less than ordinary systems and at the same time uses only a fraction of energy. This opens the door to a new dimension of energy efficiency. The route guidance of the navigation system is also especially eco-friendly: The system calculates the most energy-saving route and displays the directions in realistic 3D view. Eberspächer Group from Esslingen, Germany is one of the world leaders in car heaters. Specifically for the „iChange" project Eberspächer developed custom-tailored electric and fuel-burning heating systems. Both systems are geared toward the specific requirements and conditions of electric vehicles.
The pure wool used in the interior was further refined into high-tech wool by Schoeller using state-of-the-art processes. The wool is spun and died in accordance with the highest eco standards. It provides an extremely extravagant ambiance in the 'iChange,' looks stunning and is delicate to the touch. The competence partner Strähle + Hess transformed this natural product into a striking interior. Its surface character and materiality combine to create a symbiosis of shell, firmness and frothy air. Unconventional techniques create unusual surfaces. The seams of the seats are reversed and the removable seats cushions are adorned with the prototype's name. Xmobil provided further customization services. While textiles can be found in the „iChange" in their original form in other areas, they are newly interpreted on seats and cargo floor using various refinement techniques such as braiding and gathering and a combination of both. Leather strips alternate with technical textiles. The seat cushions are interchangeable, braided felt alternates with technical textiles formed into three-dimensional shapes. This transfers the adaptive concept of the „iChange" to the interior as well. The diamond-coated anti-slip floor is supplied by abrasives specialist KGS.
The Swiss Federal Ministry for Energy (Bundesamt für Energie) supports the „iChange" project as a groundbreaking research and development project. Solar panels on the top and sides of the roof provide electricity to the fan to keep temperatures in the „iChange" comfortably low on hot summer days. The large Sharp solar panels also provide additional eco-friendly charging of the batteries.
With the „iChange" Rinderknecht, a passionate C. F. Bucherer watch wearer, and his partners once more want to provide food for thought for the automotive industry. The Swiss car visionary: "If we want to maintain our individual mobility in the future we have to rethink the car in its entirety, without taboos. Most of all, we have to take its ecological aspects into consideration." And in the end everyone has to personally answer the same question: Am I ready and willing to change myself, do and can 'I change'?
Esoro - Swiss Made
Frank M. Rinderknecht used highly advanced technology and a Swiss-based network of top automotive specialists for his project. So the Rinspeed "iChange" fits perfectly to Esoros motto: engineered by Esoro - What you dream is what you get.
For the tenth time the Swiss engineering company Esoro was hired to serve as general contractor for the entire project. Esoro was responsible for project management, implementation of new technologies, engineering, rendering, design and the manufacturing of the Rinspeed "iChange". Esoro realized the Rinspeed "iChange" with the help of its competent suppliers. Starting with initial concepts, it took the highly skilled development team just six months to realize the entire project. For 18 years now, Esoro has been a contract developer of concept vehicles, components and products with main focus on lightweight construction and mobility. During this time it has gained a well-deserved reputation for excellent efficiency and innovative solutions, which is demonstrated by numerous prototypes and serial products. Esoro develops fiber reinforced components from initial conception up to pre-production samples. In-house specialists optimize the component properties and characteristics throughout the entire development process. Important steps are non-linear, strong orthotropic Finite Element Analysis and crash simulation.
Another recent development from Esoro is the new E-LFT production technology developed for Weber Automotive. E-LFT makes large scale production of high-strength and lightweight composite parts affordable. E-LFT composite parts weigh more than 30 percent less than comparable steel parts. The tailgate of the actual smart fortwo – the first serial produced E-LFT-component – was produced over 200'000 times since 2007 and received the JEC Innovation Automotive Award 2008. Furthermore another production process for niche markets, like high performance cars, trucks and caravans is now under development at Esoro. The new and patented process called Melt Embossing offers the possibility to produce high end thermoplastic composite parts with low initial invest for structural and semi-structural applications.
Since the company was founded, Esoro has been working intensively in the field of conception, implementation and tests of alternative and optimized vehicle concepts and drive systems. Esoro is thus one of the few companies in the world with well-founded experience in development and operation of electric, hybrid and fuel cell drives. The Rinspeed "iChange" proves impressively this competence using cutting edge technology.
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