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| Electric shape-changer: a sports car or a sports van? Rinspeed iChange – forward-looking ideas on AEZ wheels The Motor Show in Geneva is traditionally the place where Frank M. Rinderknecht presents his visions. For years he and his company Rinspeed have been presenting environmentally-friendly, practical and extravagant creations, which offer possible solutions for the future of automobiles. And now joining him for the third time is: AEZ, the renowned manufacturer of premium light-metal wheels. Following the eXasis and the underwater car sQuba, this time the perfect alloys had to be found for the iChange. Norbert Frohner, the General Manager of AEZ, said the following: “As with the sQuba we have created a new wheel, which is almost directly sculptured out of the blank forging. The task was just as complex as last year, but also just as different. Although the iChange can’t go underwater, it is extremely diverse on land – and that’s precisely what the wheel intends to demonstrate." Frank Rinderknecht’s latest development is actually a vehicle which adapts to diverse conditions: First and foremost, thought, the iChange is a thoroughbred, futuristic sports car. The AEZ alloys support this by looking like the wheels on a classic Bugatti – and that suits the streamlined design of the Rinspeed. In this form the iChange is a fun car for one person, but “when the rear is raised as if by magic” it changes in the blink of an eye into a small sports van for three people. The double spoke wheel also takes part in the metamorphosis; it fits the spatial wonder like a glove even when the focus is shifted to the adequate transportation of people. Dynamics meets versatility – that is this year’s topic from Rinspeed. Rinderknecht says: “If we want to maintain our individual mobility in the future, then we will have to rethink the car disregarding all taboos.” That also means that the vehicle has to adjust to changing conditions. And that explains the name iChange. The vehicle concept also comprises, of course, the vehicle technology, as it also has to adjust to future demands. As is normal with Rinspeed, environmental protection is in the foreground: an electric engine with 130kW (177 HP) offers decent thrust without harmful emissions. With its large, enclosed surface, the wheel from AEZ provides even better aerodynamics – it helps to extend the life-span of the battery and increase the sports potential of the iChange. Designers and technicians at AEZ have designed and built an expressive, spectacular alloy for an extraordinary car. It represents the high-point so far in the cooperation between the wheel producer and Rinspeed. The Rinspeed iChange can be admired from 5th to 15th March at the Geneva Motor Show. It will be at the Rinspeed stand, number 6151 in hall 6. The current wheel collection of AEZ will be on view at the stand of ERNY FAHRZEUGTECHNIK, stand 7053 in hall 7. |
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