Salamander: Pinoy UV

[anonemus]

In the latest Top Gear podcast, Atoy said he already has investors for the Salamander production and units can be sold by Q3 of next year.



http://www.topgear.com.ph/features/f...-ph?ref=latest


http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/car-n...-water?ref=tag

Sana nga as this vehicle seems useful for LGUs during flood response in Metro Manila

[niky]

It's a cool car. Glad to be one of the few to have driven it.

Needs more development, though... simplification of the drivetrain for the gasoline version... but otherwise, good first crack at an amphibious trike.

[anonemus]

^ no price was mentioned in the podcast. any estimate, niky?

[niky]

^ no price was mentioned in the podcast. any estimate, niky?

We were talking about it back when we did the video. The numbers being bandied about were rather general, and dependent on volume. To get it to the 300k and under mark, they would need to mass produce. They can make single units, but it would cost more... maybe 350k? That talk was a long time ago.

That's about 100k more than a comparable tuk-tuk style tricycle, but that covers the bouyant fiberglass bodywork, extra gearboxes for the water screw and HiLow system and waterproofing.

[anonemus]

^ thanks! let's cross our fingers that the Salamander makes it into production

[niky]

^ thanks! let's cross our fingers that the Salamander makes it into production

Sigurado na yun. The only question is if they'll get enough funding to bring the price down into the mid-200s... which would really get the ball rolling!

I had a few ideas while looking over the prototype... it's possible to simplify the geartrain into just two boxes, using a cargo tricycle five-speed... then have a chain-drive transfer case (maybe Suzuki) to run the prop. Then forego the fiberglass roof-hoop, sell the cars topless, with provisions for a tube-frame roof hoop for a fabric top or for a fiberglass top with windshield. Makes molding simpler, they won't have to cast such large parts, and makes repairs easier.

Oh well... it's a prototype... and I expect many things to change still before production. But as it is, it's pretty cool already.

[dct]

Sigurado na yun. The only question is if they'll get enough funding to bring the price down into the mid-200s... which would really get the ball rolling!

I had a few ideas while looking over the prototype... it's possible to simplify the geartrain into just two boxes, using a cargo tricycle five-speed... then have a chain-drive transfer case (maybe Suzuki) to run the prop. Then forego the fiberglass roof-hoop, sell the cars topless, with provisions for a tube-frame roof hoop for a fabric top or for a fiberglass top with windshield. Makes molding simpler, they won't have to cast such large parts, and makes repairs easier.

Oh well... it's a prototype... and I expect many things to change still before production. But as it is, it's pretty cool already.

Nice idea. Malaki nga imumura nyan. Sana ganun na lang

[jpdm]

Sigurado na yun. The only question is if they'll get enough funding to bring the price down into the mid-200s... which would really get the ball rolling!

I had a few ideas while looking over the prototype... it's possible to simplify the geartrain into just two boxes, using a cargo tricycle five-speed... then have a chain-drive transfer case (maybe Suzuki) to run the prop. Then forego the fiberglass roof-hoop, sell the cars topless, with provisions for a tube-frame roof hoop for a fabric top or for a fiberglass top with windshield. Makes molding simpler, they won't have to cast such large parts, and makes repairs easier.

Oh well... it's a prototype... and I expect many things to change still before production. But as it is, it's pretty cool already.

Nice to hear this.

[jpdm]

salamander