Dutch 'Superbus,' Eco-Friendly Transit Vehicle Capable Of 155 MPH, Set For Trade Fair Debut (VIDEO)

The Netherlands has developed an electric "Superbus," an eco-friendly form of public transit that can carry 23 passengers and reach a top speed of 155 miles per hour.

As the BBC is reporting, the state-of-the-art vehicle is the brainchild of Dutch astronaut Wubbo Ockels, who is currently a professor of aerospace sustainable engineering and technology.

Chief designer Antonia Terzi, former chief aerodynamicist of the BMW-Williams Formula 1 team, is quoted as saying the vehicle, which cost an estimated 13 million euros, will "tackle the challenges of mobility, spatial planning, service detail and environmental demands all in one."

The lengthy carbon fiber and fiberglass vehicle is reportedly set to make its debut at a trade fair in Dubai next month.

Watch video of the Dutch "Superbus" below:

Comments

[Sandworm Wrangler]

10:32 AM on 04/12/2011

It must corner like a locomotive.

[pierre F Lherisson]

12:50 AM on 04/12/2011

Those that are traveling above 60 miles an hour are doing commercial for funeral parlors. Most collision at that speed are usually fatal.

[Flying Dutchman]

06:00 AM on 04/12/2011

Wow Einstein, you figured that out all by yourself?

[Max Shaw]

05:37 PM on 04/11/2011

The superbus sounds like a super deathtrap..

[RubalKhali]

12:46 AM on 04/11/2011

155 mph, it will barely keep up with traffic on the Shiehk Zayed road.

[catbutt]

08:14 PM on 04/10/2011

It's too long for use on US roads

[Flying Dutchman]

05:56 AM on 04/12/2011

Just like all those super stretched limousines?

[Sandworm Wrangler]

10:28 AM on 04/12/2011

It's not too long for our roads, the straightest, longest and most potholed on this planet, but it's just another rubber tired traffic Jammer, Like a Wind Jammer except it wont be able to Jam here.

[netzwerg]

04:26 PM on 04/10/2011

"And the cool thing about that is, now get this, you can drive your car as fast as you want at certain hours."

No, about 75% of German Autobahn network of 12700km (7900miles) has no speed limit. 24/7 around the clock, if the traffic allows it. Rules are very strict though and almost all follow them, so driving fast is very safe.
See video of some American guy in a Lambo on our Autobahns for further information: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYPCLtA-ETk

[Snerdgronk]

04:25 PM on 04/10/2011

Hey ... Do you think 'Superbus' races could go NASCAR ...!?

Snerd

[RubalKhali]

12:45 AM on 04/11/2011

Nice Pierre eh?

[Snerdgronk]

01:09 AM on 04/11/2011

Fuddle Duddle ....

[Altx]

12:40 PM on 04/10/2011

Fun idea. I could see some Saudi Prince or Vegas casino jumping at the chance to be the first on their block to own one for ferrying around their - respectively - wives and 'whales'!

[Theophrastus]

12:34 PM on 04/10/2011

Riding the bus got cool again. Somebody send a link to Weird Al!

[Mu77]

12:26 PM on 04/10/2011

Insane, yes.

Impractical, yes.

But what we're forgetting here is that engineers and designers are often a lot like mountain climbers. They do things simply because "it's there" or because they can. The thing is though, there is a possibility for some of the technology here to trickle down to more practical uses.

[RubalKhali]

12:47 AM on 04/11/2011

Should be a hit in Dibai then.

[jymfrancais]

12:14 PM on 04/10/2011

The only market i see for this thing is the American Rap Scene.

[matwin]

12:11 PM on 04/10/2011

To all the detractors, it is true that Americans don't like to travel fast, unless you are talking a measley 85 in a 65. Americans have limited their mass transportation to highway speeds, even the Acella only travels faster in brief stretches. The 'Sky Buss' prototype of electric vehicle from the 60s (now used mostly at airports) was limited by the government to 45mph, even though it could have traveled 90mph for the same build cost. Maglev is another US design that traveled too fast. Today you have to go to China to see that technology in action.

[Dead Che]

12:03 PM on 04/10/2011

13 million euros a pop ensures no buyers.

[emerson7]

12:35 PM on 04/10/2011

this is a prototype...production units would be far less.

[Flying Dutchman]

05:58 AM on 04/12/2011

About a million euro's.

[woundedduck]

11:55 AM on 04/10/2011

If that bus ran in Los Angeles, there would be one person killed on it per day, minimum--LA don't do close proximities, yo.

[letsmakeitright]

11:44 AM on 04/10/2011

You have to be pretty quick to hit the button on time for your stop.