It's not quite as groundbreaking as the Squba, which drove into lakes in true James Bond style, but the UC? concept is the latest piece of mentalist fayre from bizarre creator Rinspeed. And this time it might go into production.
UC? stands for 'urban commuter', though the dubious question mark (Rinspeed's, not ours) suggests the maker isn't quite sure about that. It's all relatively normal otherwise though, to be honest.
It's essentially a two-seat electric car that looks a little like a Smart fortwo and has a 65-mile range thanks to a battery and drivetrain partly developed by Daimler. The difference is, because Rinspeed is aware that a 65-mile charge range isn't of much use beyond a trip to work and back - assuming there are no hills involved - it's got a natty 'train loading' system.
Basically, the car is always online and has a hotline to some un-named train carrier, so it can essentially book itself a place on an inter-city train for longer journeys latching into a carriage with ease.
Rinspeed is dead set on making it en masse, so it's looking for partners as you read this. There'll be a pizza delivery spec version called the 'ultimate commuter' that will be sparse and cheap, and a more luxurious version for people who can't quite afford a MINI E. We'll find out more at the
Geneva debut in March.
Mark Nichol - 15 Feb 2010