Eclectic Koizumi Tries Electric Sedan

CAR TECH

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (C) walks in front of the eight-wheeled electric car 'Eliica', after listening to explanation by professors at Keio University, Hiroichi Yoshida (L) and Hiroshi Shimizu (not shown), at the premier's official residence in Tokyo, 19 December 2005. Koizumi took a ride on the vehicle which uses lithium-ion battery as a power source with a top speed of 370 kilometres (230 miles) per hour. AFP photo by Yuriko Nakao/Pool.

Tokyo (AFP) Dec 19, 2005
Never tired of sampling new ways to travel, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi whizzed around the grounds of parliament Monday in an eight-wheeled car billed as the world's fastest electric sedan.

"It is comfortable to ride in," Koizumi said after being taken for a 10-minute spin in the vehicle, dubbed the Eliica.

"It is stable and its speed is fascinating," he said.

Unveiled in October but not set to hit the road for several years, the Eliica runs on lithium-ion batteries and can reach a speed of 370 kilometers (230 miles) an hour.

It was developed by researchers at Tokyo's Keio University in cooperation with a government science-promotion body and private-sector companies such as Japan's top tiremaker Bridgestone.

On Friday, the media-savvy premier commuted to his office by riding the next-generation scooter Segway, a gift from his close friend US President George W. Bush.

In previous photo-ops, Koizumi has done laps on a bicycle and endured the impact of a crash-simulator car in front of a crowd of children to promote traffic safety.

Source: Agence France-Presse

CAR TECH

GM Hires Russian Nuclear Scientists To Develop New Auto Technology

Detroit, Michigan (AFP) Oct 25, 2005
General Motors is using Russian nuclear scientists put out of work by the end of the Cold War to help develop new automotive technologies, the world's largest automaker said Tuesday.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.