Student in Austria invents foldable car

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Press Trust of India London
Last Updated : Jun 02 2014 | 7:03 PM IST
A university student in Austria has designed an innovative car which is foldable and light-weight and can reach a maximum speed of 60km per hour.
Helmut Brunner invented the 400kg three-passenger vehicle as part of his diploma thesis at the Frank Stronach Institute at Graz's University of Technology.
"The aim was to develop a car which requires as little space to park as a motorcycle. This has been achieved by reducing the wheelbase to about half," said Mario Hirz, who is supervising the project.
The two-door car to be made from aluminium and plastic is intended for short distance city trips, able to fit into small parking spaces and transport medium-sized shopping purchases.
The three-wheeler can reach a maximum speed of 60km per hour, 'The Local' reported.
"When the vehicle is set up to drive, it is a little over three metres in length. When it's folded, it is about two metres long. It would theoretically be possible to park in a space of two metres," Hirz said.
Hirz said security measures will be built in, and the car will also contain air bags. The electric motor will be emission-free, the report said.
Hirz anticipates that the market price of the vehicle would be around 6,000 to 7,000 Euros (Rupees 480,000-560,000).
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First Published: Jun 02 2014 | 7:03 PM IST

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