Car Design News
Huddersfield University Show 2005
Steve Darbyshire presented Maglev PTV, a personal transport vehicle for 10-15 years from now. It utilises a combination of fuel-cell, by-wire chassis technology and magnetic-levitation. The Maglev PTV operates in much the same way as a car would today, utilising the existing road network. The key element to the concept is this combining the convenience of a conventional car with a high-speed national transportation system. The vehicle can connect to a specific guideway infrastructure, utilising a longstator linear motor and guidance magnets to propel and levitate the vehicle at a cruise speed of 300mph over long distances. This would connect London city to Glasgow in under two hours. The vehicle aesthetics were greatly influenced by the increased drag and required power output induced at this speed. It was designed using the most efficient aerodynamic shape – P. Jaray’s ‘combination form’ – a workable compromise evolved from the half-body and teardrop configuration.