The CLEVER, standing for, Compact Low Emission
VEhicle for URban Transport, is the culmination
of three years of research and design by a European consortium
(including BMW and the University of Bath) setup to explore
future environmentally friendly transport concepts.
The CLEVER is a vehicle which combines the safety of a
microcar, and the useful maneuverability of a motorbike,
all while powered by a natural gas fueled engine.
The 230cc BMW engine was modified by the Institute Français
du Pétrole (IFP) to accept the natural gas, this environmentally
responsible engine produces 17 hp (12.5 kW) and a maximum
torque of 15.5 Nm at 6,300 rpm, this gives the CLEVER
a top speed of around 50 mph. Fuel consumption for the
CLEVER is estimated to be 2.4 liters/100 km gasoline equivalent
(98 mpg US), with 59.5 g/km of CO2 emissions. The two
connected gas bottle fuel tanks provide a range of approximately
93 miles (150 km).
An inherent problem with three-wheel vehicles is tipping
during high speed cornering. To solve this dangerous problem
the CLEVER leans, just as a motorcycle and it's rider
do during cornering. The cabin tilting mechanism present
on the CLEVER was designed by the University of Bath.
Basically it uses two hydraulic actuators to rotate the
cabin around a maximum of 45° each way. The system
is controlled by a computer which calculates the desired
lean angle by taking into account speed, tilt angle of
the cabin, and lateral acceleration.
Similar and related vehicles:
- Brinks Dynamics Carver
- Cree Sam
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