A bizarre-looking vehicle that’s dubbed as the Twike (no, it’s not a baby talk for Trike). The vehicle is a German-built three-wheeler that supplies battery or pedal power options provided that the buyer is willing to pay up $18,000 to purchase the Twike. It has a room for two passengers (one intrepid driver) that are seated in front and cargo which is Swiss designed for eco-friendly enthusiasts.

The vehicle features a choice of NiCd or NiMH batteries which is manufactured by Fine Mobile. The NiCd battery offers a diffident range of 55 miles per charge while the NiMH revs up the range up to 80 miles. The batteries rely on terrain, speed, driving style, passenger weight and amount of pedaling by the pilot and passenger.

According to Fine Mobile, the vehicle claims a top acceleration of 55 mph and the range can be extended in the hybrid model by using the pedals replacing an electric motor. The hybrid in this case refers to the choice of battery or human power.

Twike owners, who call themselves Twike pilots, host periodic gatherings and tours in Europe and the United States to promote the vehicle and celebrate its driving experience. Pedaling extends the range of the vehicle but does not exactly add to the vehicle’s top speed.

Additional energy is reclaimed while driving through regenerative braking and load is removed from the electric system by use of pedaling system which transfers its input directly to the drivetrain. Regenerative antilock braking captures energy from deceleration to recharge computer-controlled batteries.

The Twike’s exterior car parts are made mainly of aluminum and thermoplastic resin and its overall weight rates to 500 pounds. It also comes as a convertible with an optional removable canopy roof.

Adjustments to its user-controllable system can affect performance, granting faster or slower pace in longer and shorter ranges. The Twike will let you avoid rising fossil-fuel costs and maybe get yourself some buff cyclist legs while you’re at it. It’s an instant cardio-vascular exercise regimen right in your won vehicle. Well, come to think of it, it’s pretty tiring to wonder how long you’ll get used to it.

Its basic pricing goes up to $30,000 depending on your preferred options of battery or muscle power.

 

 

At first glance of the Tank Car, you’ll be scratching your head with flashing oddities in your mind. Don’t underestimate the famous Tank Car just yet. It is owned by American talk show host and comedian Jay Leno. It’s actually one of the most powerful cars on the planet. No, it’s not some post April Fool’s joke. It might even make a run for Tank Girl’s money.

Leno sure knows how to get his hands on a capable and sustainable vehicle. The show host wants two things in a car: a loud horn and massive charging power. The Blastolene Special, built by Randy Grubb, is powered by a 29-liter WWII M47 Patton tank engine.

The King Kong sized hot rod is built around a 1792 cid V12 Continental-made Chrysler-built tank engine. The huge engine guns its powertrain parts a 1600bhp at 2800 rpm and 1600 pound-feet of maximum torque at 2400 rpm. The whole shebang is charged through an Allison HD4060 six-speed automatic gearbox 9although it has a torque limit), giving the 9 tonne tank car a 0-60 speed of 6.2 seconds and a top acceleration of 140 mph.

Looking for stuff to hot-rod a tank engine from the 1950’s era seemed dim so the vehicle’s supposedly made out of giant slabs of billet aluminum. In cooperation with the renowned Bosche Company, the engine is converted for fuel-injection. The fuel rails alone are the size of V8 camshafts.

Jay Leno wanted a tip top shaped car and he got it. Sans the bizarre take on its exterior though.