Volume 1. SUV Concept Profile.

The SUV is probably one of the most successful private transportation concepts in automotive history. However, it's downside is not exactly a secret; overwhelming body mass and more expensive fuel costs with a high profile that is in danger of being overturned in quick high speed maneuvers. I hear people say they like the "throne-like" feeling of sitting behind the wheel of an SUV. In the light of common sense and safety, I wonder what that's about? My approach to the SUV issue would be a more practical one; although still an all-purpose vehicle (excluding sports car class) my version would have a lowered center of gravity while supporting 6 or more passengers and cargo comfortably, a lighter but stronger body mass in order to conserve energy and the use of a clean energy source, possibly solar. As long as we have tires to propel our vehicles, the key to a lower and more spacious passenger and cargo compartment is extension of the wheelbase as far as possible to the extremities of the vehicle. Intercity driving would be achieved through use of solar energy and an electric power source. Taking a highway cruise would be a joy if not a little boring since the driver would not have to steer his or her vehicle due to an automatic guidance system. Embedded in the road at intervals sensors would guide the vehicle throughout it's journey until exiting. At this point the driver would allow the vehicle's own power source to take control of the intercity driving.

You might be wondering why this vehicle looks much like the ones we currently have. However, after taking a closer look you will notice subtleties like tire sizes , the low passenger compartment and a flat floor with the absence of a drivetrain tunnel as we know it. All are critical to the success of a more roomy compartment. There are only so many configurations an SUV can assume and still remain practical. An "over the top" concept serves the purpose of sparking the imagination but sometimes falls short of what is possible given the reality of human body measurements and comfort. So....for those that are reading this and yearn for "over the top" images, the next version of this section will show you how I arrived at this design through concept sketches.

You may want to bookmark this page.