In-progress pictures of a diesel\electric plug-in XR3 hybrid from Robert Q. Riley
I have a brief update from Robert at Robert Q. Riley Enterprises about the status of the XR3 diesel\electric hybrid prototype. I can also share with you a few pictures of an XR3 body under construction. The process of creating a body from scratch requires building up a foam core that is larger than the desired end shape and then cutting and sanding it down to the correct size and shape. After this is complete, the fiberglass cloth is layered over the foam plug and the resin is applied over the cloth. Next, the foam core can be reduced to the proper size and another layer of fiberglass can be added on the inside, creating a foam\fiberglass sandwich. The end result is a rather strong outer shell which will never rust. Alternatively, molds can be taken off a completed body to allow other bodies to be created with the exact same specifications.
As you can see from the pictures below, the final shape is starting to show up on this work-in-progress. The right side is nearly molded to the desired shape, and the left is being built up. Robert shared with me that he is in talks with a fiberglass company to get molds created to duplicate the finished shape of this body. Under this foam composite sits the backbone frame, which I have seen, awaiting the VW transaxle and three-cylinder diesel engine at the front and electric motor at the rear. A custom windshield will be added at the front of the body shell after the fiberglass work is complete. Again, we hope to keep our readers updated as work on this prototype continues. If anybody has any specific questions, I can forward them to Robert if I don't already have the answer.
Gallery: XR3 In Progress pics
Related:
- Technical details of the XR3 learned during our visit to Robert Q. Riley Enterprises
- Robert Q. Riley Enterprises is set to introduce their new XR3 hybrid 3-wheeler in June
- Forbes weighs in with their take on "Green Cars of the Future"
[Source: Robert Q. Riley]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike Weston 3:18PM (4/04/2007)
I guess I would wonder if the proposed diesel engine will work with B100. And it's also not clear to me what level of expertise is needed to build the kit. Probably higher than I have, unfortunately.
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Stephan 4:37PM (4/04/2007)
I noticed the plans for the near future are to just sell the plans. This would be way beyond my level of expertise to build/weld a frame, construct the body, custom windshield, custom windows, acquire engine(s) drivetrain, then assemble everything. It would be great to know when he planned on releasing a kit so we could just assemble everything. Also does he have plans to compete in the X-Prize. He is looking good for the two seater, unspecified wheel category.
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Jeremy Korzeniewski 6:43PM (4/04/2007)
The engine is officially approved for B20 use, but has been tested and does indeed run fine on B100, but it is not officially factory approved for it.
Plans are being sold for the vehicle, and Riley has plans in the works to sell the vehicle in kit form as well. In that form, all of the welding and fiberglass work would be done and nothing more than regular tools would be required to build the vehicle.
Anything else?
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neodiehl 11:24AM (4/05/2007)
I know it's way too early to be sure, but is there a 'ball park' price of what a full kit would cost?
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Jeremy Korzeniewski 9:48PM (4/05/2007)
neo - Too early to say, unfortunately. But, when the news is in fact available, we will let you know asap.
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neodiehl 5:45PM (5/09/2007)
I am very curious about the batteries. Is he calling for 8 twelve Volt batteries in this design.
Thanks
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Andrew 10:02AM (5/14/2007)
Any news on how the hybrid functionality will work? How will the electric drive give over to the diesel and vice versa?
One pedal to drive two power systems doesn't quite make sense.
Been scouring the net for more information. Am on the mailing list for the XR3 plan. Kudo's to you, you seem to have the most info so far.
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Jeremy Korzeniewski 11:00AM (5/14/2007)
neo - No, he is not calling for lead acid batteries. The kit is set up to use an off-the-shelf lithium ion battery from a major auto supplier. He has a deal with them already in place. As a lower cost option, the kit is also designed to accept lead acid, but that is not the ideal setup. Here's why, and the workaround. Lead acid is heavy, and will provide less range in electric mode. They skew the weight in the wrong areas, unfortunately. So, the kit is designed to use air shocks, which will allow you to tune the ride and handling for the type of batteries in use.
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Jeremy Korzeniewski 11:02AM (5/14/2007)
Andrew, as I understand it, and I can try and get some clarification from Riley, is that there is only one pedal for both power units. However, there is an internal manual switch which allows for the diesel, electric or both motive sources to provide power at any given time. Hope that helps, and let me know if you need anything more than that.
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