Landscape © Benjamin Leslie
Nimbus™ Concept EV - Future is calling
Concept e-Car / ©2014 Eduardo Galvani
Concept e-Car / ©2014 Eduardo Galvani
Nimbus™ is a concept electric vehicle made for both short distances in urban areas and longer trips in varied terrain. Its hybrid engine and efficient energy consumption system provides greater driving range and energy saving than the all-electric cars.
When drives a car, human may experience a subconsciousness process that modifies some perceptions of itself, feeling like if the machine was a part of its own body which increases its natural capacities, as recalls the Centaur ancient greek mith. This may be a psychological reason why some people likes cars very much. "As more power and autonomy has your car, more power and autonomy may have you." By the same way, as more ecological your car is, more ecological may be you.
The Battle of the Centaurs and Lapiths
Nimbus™ has a 130Kw (180hp) electrical engine lithium-ion battery powered which works simultaneously with a micro combustion generator which constantly charges the batteries. The Nimbus™ is built with very strong and lightweight materials, including carbon-fiber, titanium and aluminum, which optimizes its energy consumption (1.30 L/100 km).Part of its careen is covered with solar panels, allowing Nimbus™ to automatically generate some of its own energy. Its regenerative brake mechanism makes Nimbus™ able to recover and save kinetic energy.
Nimbus™ is a concept e-car made for short dislocations in urban streets and distant trips in long roads. Its hybrid engine and energy comsumption system provides much more autonomy and energy saving than the all-electric cars.
Drive Assistance
There are four selectable driving modes to improve the range and energy consumption, depending on the circunstances: Energy Saver, Standard Trip, Faster Cruise and 4WD.
The adjustable Hidraulic Steering Weel, combined with the adjustable seats, allows a very confortable position while driving.
For a better experience parking, Nimbus™ is equipped with sensors for Obstacle Detection (Distance Warning) and a Back Camera which works as a Digital Mirror on its panel's Central Display.
Nimbus™ has a single touch power button to start and turn off the engine, Auto-Pilot technology for cruise control, and a Gearless Automatic Velocity System with Hill Descent Control and no delay in developing torque, granting optimized energy use as well as extremely smooth acceleration and braking.
Safety
Nimbus™ comfortably carries 5 passengers, protected with side protection bars and 6 airbags. Also, its layout is designed to create a Virtual Safe Position, such that driver and passengers seats are elevated.
Its Panoramic Windows provide maximum visibility of the outside world, increasing both comfort and safety while driving at night or under bad weather conditions.
Panel
Nimbus™ has a Multi Function Convex Driver Dashboard made with flexible screen, which allows a clear view of important information for the driver, including Velocimeter, Batteries Level, GPS, Engine Temperature and more. It also has auto sound/display alerts for other important information and GPS Commands. The driver can easily change functions on the display anytime with a simple touch on the 4 configurable buttons on the steering wheel, using the touchscreen, or voice commands.
The Central Display and Controller is a removable touchscreen (7" diagonal) from which the driver or front seat passenger can control the sound system, interior lights, air conditioning, routes, clock and also access the media browser, inclinometer, altimeter, weather, general vehicle info (tire pressure, washer fluid level, maintenance schedule, etc) and Internet services (such as Skype/social media/E-mail). This central display and controller is integrated with an analog selector for better gradual selection of sounds (music/phone) volume/balance/equalizer, A/C intensity and temperature.
Nimbus™ has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, 4 USB conectors (2 for front and 2 for back seats) for media browser and recharging, as well as 1 conventional 12V power conector.
It has Self-Cleaning Surfaces, for less water use, and Anti-theft System, with Remote Power Blocker and Location Detection.
Details
A/C Cold/Hot
Electric doors, Windows and Mirrors
Front/Back Screens Wiping/Defrost
Tyre Pressures and Washer Fluids Level Sensors
Fog Lights (4)
Winnowers (2)
Mini Refrigerator (capacity for 8 cans)
Cup/Bottle-Holders (6)
Tech-Specs
Dimensions 2.10 x 4.20 x 2.60 m
Weight 1.620 kg / 3 570 lb
Layout Rear engine
Doors 5
Autonomy 260 to 320 km (160 to 200 mi)
Max Speed 130 to 160 km/h (80 to 100 mph) - 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 60 mph) in 13 seconds Baggage loading 470 lt (Internal) / 300 lt (Top Suitcase) / 200 lt (Reck) - 600kg / 1322 lb total
Tyres Semi-cross
Brakes ABS
Suspensions Independent
Reviews
"The shape of the design study is halfway between the recently discontinued Volkswagen Kombi and an Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, but don't be deceived by that adorable mien – the Nimbus has world-conquering potential."
"We wouldn’t hesitate to climb aboard this magic bus."
BBC Autos
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"It has its own slightly retrofuturistic look, mostly thanks to the chubby, slightly teardrop general shape."
Jalopnik
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"Taking this rig for a spin could be a driver's dream."
NYDaily News
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"Der Designer Eduardo Galvani hat ein Update für das klassische Hippie-Mobil ausgetüftelt, wobei dann irgendwie logischer- aber auch absurderweise eine Kreuzung aus VW Bus, SUV und Mondfahrzeug entstanden ist"
Engadget
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"VW Microbus-inspired Nimbus van keeps the dream alive."
Fox News
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"What makes the Nimbus an ideal futuristic road-tripper are its creature comforts. Panoramic windows and an elevated seating position makes it easy to take in the scenery."
ABC New
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"The inspirational Nimbus e-Car takes hybrid automotive design to a whole new (and adorable) level."
Inhabitat
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"The Nimbus by Eduardo Galvani takes cues from the original VW bus, but then also bakes in some Baja bug and Lunar lander to make a truly go-anywhere family vehicle."
Yahoo! Autos / Bold Ride
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"The New Hippiemobile."
Yanko Design
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"Alors que le dernier exemplaire du célèbre « combi » Volkswagen est sorti de l'usine brésilienne de Sao Bernardo do Campo (en décembre dernier), l'artiste Eduardo Galvani nous propose de poursuivre le voyage avec un véhicule qui pourrait en être le digne héritier : le concept e-car Nimbus."
Motor Legend
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"Der VW-Bus ist Kult. Aber es geht noch viel besser, wie dieser Designer beweist Brasilien hat die WM – und Eduardo Galvani."
Watson
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"It's a bulbous, van-like hybrid that evokes the nostalgia we feel for the classic VW Microbus, but lives in a future world where car design is free to be whimsical — if not a little weird."
The Verge
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"Ob das Nimbus Concept e-Car je in Serie geht, steht in den Sternen."
4 Wheel Fun
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"Doch was muss das Auto der Zukunft in einem Land wie Brasilien können? Diese Frage wollte der Designer Eduardo Galvani aus Florianópolis beantworten. "
Motor Talk
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GrabCad (Interview)
Nimbus 2.0 (2020) Update Design:
© 2014-2020 Eduardo Galvani
http://www.epiakstudio.com
Comments are welcome: edugalvani@gmail.com
