GM EN-V Miao model | Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building

GM Shows Off Their EN-V Car of the Future at the Detroit Auto Show

01/12/2011

GM EN-V Xiao model

Sometimes, we think it’s awesome when things<a href="http://inhabitat.com/futuristic-solar-skyscraper-wins-the-taiwan-tower-competition/"> look like they’re from the Jetsons</a>. Or <a href="http://inhabitat.com/electricfied-tron-legacy-inspired-icehotel-suite-in-sweden/">Battlestar Gallactica</a>. Which is why we’re completely swooning over <a href="http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Mar/0324_env">GM’s EN-V</a> crazy-looking electric concept cars. The EN-V (Electric Networked Vehicle) comes in three different pod-like designs that function like a Segway-Smart car mash up. Click through for details and exclusive pictures from the Detroit Auto Show!

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GM EN-V Xiao model

GM designed the EN-V to fill the niche of short-range urban transport, where roads are tighter and space is limited, but driving distances are shorter than rural or suburban trips. It’s about half the length of a Smart car and weighs only 900 lbs.

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GM EN-V Xiao model

GM says the vehicles are designed to alleviate concerns about traffic congestion, energy usage, and accessibility for tomorrow's cities. Each model has its own unique style and color, but they all have two-seat cabins fitted onto a two-wheel base, co-designed by Segway.

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GM EN-V Xiao model

The Xiao model is "lighthearted and carries a nautical-inspired theme."

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GM EN-V Miao model

Gyroscopic sensors balance the car’s weight and detect the direction and angle of tilt. The sensors can also independently rotate the wheels forward or backward as needed for balance and propulsion.

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GM EN-V Miao model

The Miao model was designed by GM's studio in North Hollywood, California, and was inspired by consumer electronics.

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GM EN-V Miao model

The EN-V uses sonar to detect pedestrians, other cars, and cyclists, and a slew of other gadgets – cameras, GPS, car-to-car communication – combined with the sonar allow the car to drive all by itself.

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GM EN-V Jiao model

The bright red Jiao model was inspired by bullet trains and Chinese opera masks. All three models were first unveiled at the Shanghai World Expo last year.

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GM EN-V Jiao model

Unfortunately, we won't see the EN-V on the road for quite some time. GM says it’ll be another 20 or 30 years before consumers really need this type of car, but we’re glad to see they’re thinking ahead.

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GM EN-V Xiao model

Sometimes, we think it’s awesome when things look like they’re from the Jetsons. Or Battlestar Gallactica. Which is why we’re completely swooning over GM’s EN-V crazy-looking electric concept cars. The EN-V (Electric Networked Vehicle) comes in three different pod-like designs that function like a Segway-Smart car mash up. Click through for details and exclusive pictures from the Detroit Auto Show!

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GM EN-V Xiao model