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Moped car!!!!!!!!!!!!
40inches - 26/11/12 at 09:12 AM

Good or bad? Can't make my mind up. http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/20451602
But, fit a ZX12R engine. If it this takes off there will be plenty for sale after the kids turns 17


designer - 26/11/12 at 09:31 AM

We have them here in France and they are a pain on country roads as you can't pass. Ok in towns tho.


ali f27 - 26/11/12 at 09:53 AM

just a bit worried at the lesbian range rover haters comments will encourage teenagers to drive too young how do people that stupid get into positions of power


spiderman - 26/11/12 at 10:00 AM

28MPH top speed! Average speed on the road is slow enough as it is with tractors at 30-40MPH and lorries restricted to 56MPH, would you like to be behind one going up hill?


designer - 26/11/12 at 10:06 AM

It's also another way for the well off, spoilt kid, to rub it in the face of the poorer kids!!


vanepico - 26/11/12 at 10:09 AM

surely to be a 'carped' it should have pedals? But it isn't cool to pedal anymore is it!

I doubt anyone in their right mind would spend £5000 for a year's use, save it and buy a decent car...


Peteff - 26/11/12 at 10:17 AM

They didn't put engine sounds on the video though. It looks like the Aixam with a restricted variator so it would be easy enough to de-restrict but who could look cool riding round in something that sounds like it's been mixing gobbo on a building site.


Ninehigh - 26/11/12 at 10:51 AM

A 28 mph top speed is going to cause a lot of aggro, even on 30 roads. How many of your local routes are 40+ limits?


splitrivet - 26/11/12 at 11:20 AM

I think you can drive one of these in France if you've lost your license they might have closed that loophole though, Designer will no doubt know more.
Does'nt have to have a dumper motor I think the Renault Twizzy fits in this category.
Something like this fits well into the Locost ethos wonder who's going to build the first
Cheers,
Bob

[Edited on 26/11/12 by splitrivet]


loggyboy - 26/11/12 at 11:23 AM

Im fine with the cars, its the people that are going to drive them that I find worrying. Its bad enough Mopeds can used by any one with CBT and no proper licence. If they are seriously going with this they should change it so when your on a CBT driving any vehicle you can:
A - only go out during daylight hours, (maybe slightly later in winter)
B- be using it for a noteable/required journey (ie to school, college, shops etc)
C- not be in a group of more than 2-3 people.


v8kid - 26/11/12 at 12:22 PM

So should we have a "light quadricycle" forum on locost builders do you think?

Cheers!


40inches - 26/11/12 at 12:25 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
They didn't put engine sounds on the video though. It looks like the Aixam with a restricted variator so it would be easy enough to de-restrict but who could look cool riding round in something that sounds like it's been mixing gobbo on a building site.


Looking at the video again, the instructor tells the boy to wait until the glow plug light goes out! Diesel


splitrivet - 26/11/12 at 12:34 PM

Never forget the first time I saw an Aixam, working next door to a Motorbike dealers standing having a smoke and heard this dumper engine start up, what should come chugging round the corner but this little weird car, nearly fell over laughing.
Cheers,
Bob


bi22le - 26/11/12 at 01:13 PM

Stephen Fry is doing a new series on gadgets, I think its about 2 or so episodes in. The one I watched recently had a Renault Twizzy and he tested it with Johnathon Ross. Seemed quite clever.

Not fussed about 16 year olds on the roads. There are terrible drivers at EVERY age on the road. At least they cant speed and they will be in noticabel cars so you can avoid them.


vanepico - 26/11/12 at 01:26 PM

not able to speed? Have you seen some of the speeds people do on hairdriers after they have them derestricted?

I wouldn't be seen dead on one of them, much rather get a harley or something! If it were just for transport i'd take a good ol' bicycle!


I can imagine one going along at 28 mph with a massive sound system blaring out drum and bass, with 40 cars queing up behind!


wilkingj - 26/11/12 at 01:26 PM

Hmmm... Maybe a suitable Donor for a Hayabusa transplant

A 30mph car might be on over here in the Fens (where its almost dead flat). Cant see it being useful in Yorkshire ar wales!

I hope it dont catch on.

Just my 2d's worth.


SCAR - 26/11/12 at 05:15 PM

Will you be allowed to drive it on the pavement, dodge round traffic lights, have no insurance, exhaust or number plate and be exempt from police pursuit like a normal moped then?


dlatch - 26/11/12 at 06:35 PM

The Aixam Coupe S costs £9,999 =fail


Peteff - 26/11/12 at 07:28 PM

quote:
Originally posted by wilkingj
Hmmm... Maybe a suitable Donor for a Hayabusa transplant


Then it will no longer be a light quadricycle so not really any point The legal description limits them to 15kw, about 20bhp and 45kph top speed.


StevieB - 26/11/12 at 08:07 PM

quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
Im fine with the cars, its the people that are going to drive them that I find worrying. Its bad enough Mopeds can used by any one with CBT and no proper licence. If they are seriously going with this they should change it so when your on a CBT driving any vehicle you can:
A - only go out during daylight hours, (maybe slightly later in winter)
B- be using it for a noteable/required journey (ie to school, college, shops etc)
C- not be in a group of more than 2-3 people.


And there lies a dodgy loophole.

On a CBT you cannot carry a pillion - you have to have a full license.

So, assuming you still only need a CBT, why should you be allowed a passenger in the car (especially when anything to do with pillions/passengers isn't covered in the CBT).


vanepico - 26/11/12 at 08:27 PM

Isn't the CBT JUST bike control stuff? Like balance and stuff, ALL of which you do not need on 4 wheels?


morcus - 26/11/12 at 08:36 PM

I was under the impression these were already allowed, just that hardly anyone had them because they've never been marketed here.

As said before, 5 grand is alot of money for a vehicle intended for people who won't have propper jobs. The real question is, where are these 16 year olds going that they need this transport? I know some people have good reasons, but what were they doing before hand?

Personally I think it's a bad idea, but I also think they should raise the limit to have a moped to 18 and the same for cars. Maybe even higher.


vanepico - 26/11/12 at 09:17 PM

Come to think of it though, you could drive a reliant robin on a motorbike license according to jezza, but i suppose atleast there you have had to pass a test on the road...


stevebubs - 26/11/12 at 10:36 PM

I commute from Reading to Maidenhead every day, dropping my daughter off at school in Woodley and then drive down the A4/M4 depending on what the traffic is like. Other than that, it's local running.

Had a peek at the car's average speed on the OBC the other day - it was sub 5mph....

[Edited on 26/11/12 by stevebubs]


stevebubs - 26/11/12 at 10:39 PM

Useful info...

http://www.3wheelers.com/16.html


minitici - 26/12/12 at 11:27 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
quote:
Originally posted by wilkingj
Hmmm... Maybe a suitable Donor for a Hayabusa transplant


Then it will no longer be a light quadricycle so not really any point The legal description limits them to 15kw, about 20bhp and 45kph top speed.


The 15kW applies to "Heavy" Quadricycles...

For "Light" Quadricycles the limit is only 4kW

From MSVA Manual (2010):

4 wheeled vehicle (light quadricycle)
- with a maximum design speed of 45km/h (28mph) (48km/h [30mph] if manufactured before 08/08/2003)
- fitted with an spark ignition internal combustion engine having a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50cc, or
- fitted with any other internal combustion engine which has a maximum net power output of 4kW, or
- fitted with an electric motor with a maximum continuous power not exceeding 4kW
- not exceeding 350kg unladen (not including the mass of batteries in the case of electric vehicles)
- if designed to carry goods a payload not exceeding 200kg

[Edited on 26/12/12 by minitici]


MikeRJ - 26/12/12 at 03:35 PM

quote:
Originally posted by vanepico
Isn't the CBT JUST bike control stuff? Like balance and stuff, ALL of which you do not need on 4 wheels?


No, it includes on road training as well.