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General Motors reveals two-wheel PUMA electric-vehicle prototype

It’s based on the identical driving principles as a skateboard. It looks a phone booth, or maybe a infant stroller. But in spitefulness of the unconventional property of this vehicle, General Motors says a two-seat, two-wheel be seated on called PUMA could be a solving to comfort congestion in crowded urban areas.

The acronym stands representing Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility, and on Tuesday, GM is announcing a partnership with small-vehicle companionship Segway to bring exterior the little rides. A model is expected to be demonstrated in New York.

PUMA vehicles engage existing technologies, including a lithium-ion battery, dual charged disc motors and connectivity with other vehicles and infrastructure. They can itinerant at speeds of 35 mph and be obsessed a range of 35 miles between charges. In adding to big cities, they could be second-hand in parks, on college campuses, and at amusement parks, resorts and other areas where little distances are customarily traveled.

GM says the model in New York is operational and expects a next-generation duplication to approach forth later this year. In beforehand 2010, a complete concept could be unveiled. The rides look golf carts, although executives conditions a catchy design could be bit of a producing form if the offer continues.

It’s based on the premiss that numerous cars are “overengineered” representing some driving situations. A Cadillac Escalade, representing example, extremely likely is unneeded to push a hardly blocks in Manhattan, where investigation says the intend rapidity was 18.8 mph and three-quarters of the people doesn’t own a car, according to investigation cited close by GM, which has been working with Segway representing circular 18 months on the project.

“It’s not replacing vehicles as we grasp them--it’s complementing them in an urban environment,” said Chris Borroni-Bird, chairman of the board of move technology conveyance concepts representing GM.

The PUMAs would be a tradeoff in features--the two passengers be seated snugly side-by-side--but they could affirm to be currency savers. The charge could be one-quarter to one-third that of owning a same midsize vehicle, GM says. Because they’re small, comfort of parking also would be a latchkey selling point, as up to 30 percent to 40 percent of tinder is believed to be consumed looking representing parking in urban areas.

Still, the offer is a morsel fanciful, as GM envisions a possible layout where cars interact using an on-board transponder and can check and accelerate because of intersections to avoid accidents and pedestrians. Though GM based much of its investigation on New York City, the PUMA vehicles could start away abroad first. Domestically, the program could aid back up the automaker’s verdant credentials.

“The [auto] Task Force is looking representing us to display a eyesight of the future, and I believe this could be a bit of it,” Borroni-Bird said.

To peruse more go the AutoWeek New York Auto Show News - Car Pictures section.