I won’t lie to you, folks. When I was directed to put this up as a news item, I baulked. I mean, look at the thing.
However, after giving it a bit more thought (but probably more as a result of watching our favourite midget Richard Hammond chucking one around), I’ve changed my mind. The Carver One is a ripper, and I want one.
Designed by Dutch madmen aero-engineers, Carver One’s intent is to deliver the spirit of motorcycling while maintaining the stability of a car.
Its turbo-charged 660cc four-cylinder engine puts out 48kW (65hp) at 7500rpm, and offers 100Nm (74lb-ft) of torque at 4000rpm. The developers also offer an option to upgrade the ECU so that power increases to a whopping 63kW (85hp). Fuel economy is an agreeable 6.0 l/100km.
All that power is sent to the wheels via a traditional five-speed manual transmission, so be assured this is as much a car as it is a bike tricycle.
With a top speed of 185km/h (115mph) and a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 8.2 seconds, it’s no superbike/car, but its driver-switchable comfort and sports modes should ensure the average driver/rider is satisfied.
Carver One can lean up to 45 degrees in either direction, and can swing between one side and the other at a rate of 85 degrees per second. While this is going on, the back two wheels stay firmly planted on the ground.
Despite its name, there’s room for two in the Carver One, where leather-lined comfort awaits.
But really, to truly appreciate the Carver One, I can only direct you to this video of Richard Hammond carving it up.
In the mean time, keep an eye here for more images and information from the Melbourne Motor Show on February 27.
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I love the concept and design, my question is: does it come with 2 or 3 searter, what is the price tag, and when they be releasing them in Aistralia?
Regards,
Jim.
Jim, the price tag was in the vicinity of $90k when it was available in NZ, it was a two seater, and it will never come to Aus as Carver has gone bankrupt.
What killed Carver? Probably the price of this thing, although extremely awesome, its just too expensive to buy as a weekend toy, and too impractical for anything serious. I could buy a Ducati 1198 and an EVO X and still have change left over for the price of one of these. Shame really, as it was truly unique.
That stupid Spyder thing that they are advertising has nothing on this. They say its a motorbike/car hybrid, but its not. Its a car that steers with handlebars. You don’t lean in corners, you don’t countersteer. It has nothing that a convertible wouldn’t also offer. The Carver One was the only car-like vehicle to offer motorbike-like handling.
dud when is this thing coming out in us