NARO car

[Derwin]

I have been watching the progress of another vehicle of interest. It is also a leaning car, but without the "sexy" look of the V1.



http://www.naro.co.uk/Images/news_status_CAD.gif


Check out the slide-open door!

Here is a letter I received from the company:



Dear Derwin,
Many thanks for your interest in the NARO car. The project is in the research phase at present and we have a mule car running that demonstrates the drivability of the vehicle concept. This year we are working on the refinement of the steer system and researching into the design of the passenger cell structure to provide comfort and safety for the passenger and driver. We are particularly keen to ensure the sustainability of the vehicle with a careful evaluation of the recycling process for the materials used in its construction.

We expect to be in production late in 2010 for sales in the UK at a retail price around £6500 and will then look to expand in Europe form our UK base. For the US and Far East we would look to license the design to set up local manufacturing. We are planning a Cargo version and I would be interested to know what sort of volumes this would generate in the States if one was available. Also what are the main drivers for this sort of product in Chicago? ...........


This person goes on to ask me various questions about this market, along with telling me of the progress being made. I think this would make a great messenger vehicle, or another vehicle just to get around town. At any rate, it is very interesting. It seems so many companies are turning to the "leaning" aspect of vehicles. It really is exciting. Here is the website for those interested:


www.naro.co.uk (http://www.naro.co.uk)


Derwin

[rogwild]

Great idea, especially for the narrow roads in Europe. Unfortunately with 4 wheels they would probably have to meet 'crash test' and other automobile safety standards here in the US, unless they could get some special consideration. I've also been following the Naro on the 'Tilting' Yahoo group.

[rickb]

Take a look at the progress on the NARO. The Naro's tilt is apparently free leaning like a motorcyle.................leaned by the driver with no power assist. http://www.naro.co.uk/index2.htm

[voyager]

Hey Derwin, thanks for bringing the Naro to our attention. What a great website is FTRC! I had totally forgotten about them. Heard about them years ago when I was watching Discovery Channel. I think we will see more of these types of vehicles in the not too distant future. Two trends work in favor of them: oil prizes will skyrocket in 2-3 years, maybe sooner, and there's a serious congestion issue, particularly in Western Europe and urban areas in Asia.

[rickb]

The original post on the NARO was 11/12/07. When I happened across this vehicle concept and refered back to Derwin's original post I saw they had a number of impressive partners on board and had made amazing progress in three years. They started looking at hub electric motors over an ICE in June 2009 and are in the 2nd generation tilt platform on which the vehicle is built. It is a great website and certainly one to watch. The suicide doors on the executive commuter makes for extremly easy access to this vehicle and the designers are paying very close attention to details relating to safety, driver visibility, and comfort. Very cool if you consider it as an enclosed high performance cabin 4 wheel scooter with the FTR lean. Be sure to check out the new inproved styling from the original concept.

[rickb]

I emailed The Narrow Car Company regarding progress and over about two weeks actually received an informative email with a footnote saying I could not share the info, although I don't know why. If anybody has questions and or interest, speciifcally those of you considering building your own tilting three wheeler, you may find it interesting from a technology standpoint. I asked if I could share the info...........it's not a big deal but if I can I will. They seem to be working enthusiastically on the NARO. You may email questions and get the same reply.

[rickb]

I forgot to mention that I did invite the guy to post any info or comments here at FTRC.

[Derwin]

Hmm. That's very interesting. I find it curious that they would send YOU information, and then proceed to tell you that you can't "share" it with anybody else. du:n:n:o( That's weird.

Please contact me at my email address. I am very interested, and have been since I first posted about this back in 2007.

I checked their website out, and I really did not see anything "new" since I visited 3 years ago. What am I missing?

Derwin

[Miracleman89]

Yeah, I checked it out last night and I didn't see anything new either!!!

[voyager]

RickB, I am confused. Weren't they working on a tilting four-wheel NTV? You mentioned a three-wheeler... Does that mean that Naro is working on a new Carver-type vehicle? I tried to contact Naro, wrote them that I am contemplating the development of a ('soft-tilt') three-wheeler, but then with the two wheels upfront (instead of in the rear). Never received any response...

[rickb]

NARO is working on a tilting four wheeler only. I was thinking that perhaps their tilting technology may adapt to a privately built tilting three wheeler. What is the tilt angle of your soft-tilt concept? I'm guessing 15-20 degrees max.. Sorry for the confusion.