XR3 Hybrid

I’ve followed the projects of R.Q Riley’s company for a number of years.
http://www.rqriley.com/

The XR3 Hybrid (diesel-electric) is his most recent, and in my opinion, best effort to date. You may be familiar with it from Jalopnik.com

The diesel part is a 23hp Kubota industrial power plant (spelled cheap), the electric part is mounted ahead of the swing arm; the two systems are independent of each other. If you don’t want to mess with the electrics don’t install them and just run on the ICE, and vice-versa. At 1,300 pounds it’s bound to scoot along pretty well.

Check it out.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2007/12/xr3-main-thumb.jpg&imgrefurl=http://jalopnik.com/cars/notag/-335325.php&usg=__k3bOg7fjrJ80Qy11Mx0df4tNfV4=&h=312&w=500&sz=53&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=Y-Ix8hHZ6IuqQM:&tbnh=81&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dxr3%2Bhybrid%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN

The prototype is on the street, and build plans are now available … paper plans; $200. On CD (with Solidworks models), $99. Kits are planned.

Mommy, I know what I want in my stocking for Christmas.

How come all the one-man garage cars look like 1960’s concept cars minus the graceful proportions and refined details?

Other than that, it’s like a 2008 Chevy Volt. Great deal.