Geneva Preview: Rinspeed drops pics galore of the UC? electric commuter

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Electric

Rinspeed UC? – Click above for high-res image gallery

Swiss design studio Rinspeed has released the details on its annual Geneva Motor Show concept and in keeping with tradition, it’s an electrically-powered vehicle. Unlike the Lotus Elise based amphibious Squba from two years ago, this one is a fresh design mixing elements of the Fiat 500 and the Smart ForTwo. The diminutive battery-powered “urban commuter” dubbed UC? (that’s Rinspeed’s questionable question mark, for the record) is designed to provide drivers with a range of flexible transportation options.

Rinspeed has procured a lithium ion battery pack from LiTec, the German joint venture between Evonik and Daimler AG, which will propel the urban runabout 65 miles before requiring a recharge. The UC? adapts the perpendicular parking concept pioneered by the Smart to help extend its usefulness in congested cities, and while Smarts are sometimes parked bumper to the curb, Rinspeed has developed a train car loading system that allows UC? drivers to roll on and off and then relax as they travel between cities. Since most European trains are electrically powered, even inter-city travel remains zero emissions (at least directly).

Rinspeed has worked with suppliers to address the shortcomings of EVs, specifically with cold weather heating. Eberspacher has developed an innovative high-voltage, high-efficiency heating system that can crank up to 60 degrees celsius (140 degrees fahrenheit) in just 30 seconds. The UC? has been designed with series production in mind and Rinspeed is apparently looking for partners. Make the jump for all the details in the lengthy press release.

Gallery: Rinspeed UC?