Jeep builds a transparent truck
The Wrangler Stitch is a trimmed-down version of the iconic off-roader that features an aluminum floor pan, gas tank and control arms, chrome moly roll cage and carbon fiber hood. Even the windshield has been chopped two inches to drop a few pounds.
But it’s most apparent weight-saving measures are transparent body panels made from architectural fabric wrapped over a solid frame.
You gotta see it:
(picture from article)
Now, I've always had a soft spot for the Jeep. What's great about the Wrangler is that it's one of the few vehicles that does not necessitate an off-season replacement - it's equally at home in the summer with the top off as it is in the winter in the snow. It's not a convertible that is wonderful 3-4 months out of the year, adequate another 4-5 months, and cold and drafty in mid-December through February. It's also not a stodgy SUV that's wonderful in the snow but as much fun as a hausfrau during Spirit week in the summer. In short, it's one of the few hybrids that isn't the worst of both worlds...
If they come out with a version that's got a back seat, I may have the summer replacement for the Earthf**ker...
That is all.
6 comments:
If by "equally at home in the summer and winter". You mean .... Do not expect it to keep the weather outside to be any different from the weather inside , then yes
OTOH. The story goes that when the drivers first drove the Porsche 917's. the lightweight translucent fiberglass bodywork really spooked the drivers. That's why they are all painted gray on the inside Solved the problem. Didn't add any weight.
NotDilbert
I dunno. Dad G. had an '02 Wrangler with the hard top that I borrowed a couple of times in the winter. Seemed to do just fine keeping the weather out.
Soft top, though... My sister had a "square eye" Wrangler with the soft top. No argument there. That and it was the 4-banger that struggled to keep 60 MPH on the highway...
Finally...
I've been arguing Electric Vehicles should go back to the WWI airplane route and use painted fabrics and strong roll cages to reduce weight while maintaining safety.
And imagine, no more supermarket cart dings.
Jay, it's called the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.
http://www.jeep.com/en/2013/wrangler_unlimited/
Four doors, and presumably, four seats. Chassis is a tad longer than the "standard" Wrangler, to account for the added door, so it's not as nimble. However, and more importantly in my opinion, it ought to be more stable at speed; the shorter 2-door Jeep was squirrelly as hell at anything above 35 mph.
"Sir, do you mind if we search your ve....oh, wait, never mind. It's transparent."
We love our 2000 TJ. It spends nine months of the year with no windows and doors, and even served two winters as our only car with no top. (Corpus actually got snow one of those winters) It is very nimble and stable; I commute at 75 and run the sands of the national sea shore at 50+. Then again, I know Jeeps, having driven (not owned) every production model except the CJ6. Much like so many auto pistols, it will do all that you ask of it if you do your part; operator error is to blame more often than poor engineering.
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