NEW BATMOBILE DESIGN HYDROGEN POWERED FOR LIVE STAGE SHOW

 

 

 

 

Batman, aka Bruce Wayne, aka the Dark Knight, is the world-renowned DC comics superhero who is notable for having no superpowers…but a lot of money. So if any superhero can make a hydrogen-powered supercar, it’s Batman.

This new batmobile designed for the new stage show of batman, was designed by a real-life superstar, Formula 1 race car designer Gordon Murray. Murray, who is also behind the hyper-exotic car brand McLaren, was drafted to design a 21^st Batmobile for the “Batman Live” show taking place on stages across Europe. The Batmobile that Murray has designed comes with plenty of Bat-gadgets that have a 21^st century twist. For example the forward-mounted lasers and “virtual wheels” that would “lift” the Batmobile off of the ground using an electric field.

While compact laser weapons and hoverfields are still a ways into the future, the hydrogen fuel cell system is a reality in today’s world. Multiple manufacturers are testing hydrogen-powered vehicles, from Germany to Japan, so these vehicles do exist. The problem is, they aren’t affordable or practical yet.  However, money is no object for Batman’s alter-ego, Bruce Wayne, so he could easily affordable all the whiz-bang gadgets and the hydrogen fuel cell.

Batfans, this is NOT the new batmobile for the next dark knight film, so settle down.

it’s just the Batmobile for the Batman Live World Arena Tour.  This new design is supposed to project Formula One design elements as they might exist in 15-20 years, including what he calls “breathable” carbon fiber.

 

I DO DIG THE BAT ON THE BACK!

 

Now it seems the Caped Crusader is now fighting pollution as well as crime.

The latest version of the Batmobile swaps traditional jet power for electric propulsion generated by a hydrogen fuel cell and lithium-ion battery pack.

Murray penned the McLaren F1 in the early ’90s that for a decade was the world’s fastest production car, while he’s currently producing a tiny city car called the T25.

“It was a clean sheet of paper from a design point of view,” says Murray. “I drew on my early experience as a child reading comics and watching the Batmobile grow as a character in the comics.

“I wanted to have a bit of fun with the wheels, so [the car] includes what I call ‘virtual wheels’, which interact with gravity to lift the car off the ground.”

In addition to the LED-illuminated wheels, the Batman Live levitating Batmobile features laser-beam generators in the nose, a carbonfibre body that “breathes” and a carbon-ceramic afterburner – which presumably produces zero emissions.

The jetfighter-meets-F1-car creation has more in common with Batmobiles from the 1990s Batman films, starring Michael Keaton as the Dark Knight, rather than the 1960s TV series version, which was based on a 1950s Ford concept car called the Lincoln Futura.

Murray’s Batmobile includes room for both members of the Dynamic Duo, Batman and Robin, with the cockpit accessed via a sliding split canopy.

The multi-million-dollar Batman Live production will tour Europe and North America after its UK and Ireland dates.

So, for all my batmo-builder pals out there, here’s the starting sheet, someone is gonna build it anyway, so I might as well help out!  That hydrogen fuel idea is a good one!

Gentlemen, start your engines, and welders! Who's first?

BOTCON AT PASADENA CONVENTION CENTER STARCARCENTRAL.COM ROLLED OUT THE AUTOBOTS!

Star Car Central is made up of quite of collection of cool cars and just as cool and varied owners/drivers!  If you had told me a few years back that I would have so many starcars that I would find and connect cars like Transformer owners, I would have laughed!  But now off shoots are going to events that are just for their type of car.   Back on June 3-5,2011 (I know, I am trying to catch up!)  Bumblebee owner Jon Merker  and Jason Ybarra with his  Ratchet Medic van decided to display their transformer autobots at the annual BOTCON Convention held this year at the Pasadena convention center.   The robot fans flipped out when they saw the cars.

Friday morning BOTCON held their annual fan film festival screening. There were 16 short films shown and that night at 10pm the winners were announced. “Trampsformers” won 3rd place.

Photoshopped? Well, yes, but they were all there! From left to right , Writer/Director : Hahnah Jackson, Laundryman: David Bear, Tramp: Jason Ybarra, Thug: Jon Merker, Editor: Alex Wong, not shown was Scott Bradlee :the music composer.

Congrats to the Transformer SCC team who won third place for their movie “Trampsformers!”

 Then on Saturday Alex Wong brought his KITT to be displayed too. Possible new members to SCC were on hand as well. Paul from Pomona brought his Ironhide and Shannon from Arizona brought his Trailbreaker to be on display too.  Stay tuned to see Paul with SCC, soon a whole set of Transformers!!! (video down below of all ratchets features!)

"Transformers, ROLL OU.... hey, where's optimus and who's that new guy?" "Hey Guys, I'm KITT. Optimus went out with Goliath and left me in charge."

A fun weekend in all, with Bumblebee,Ratchet, and Ironhide even taking a cruise to IN N OUT on Saturday night! and then a theater in Santa Monica showed the original 1986 Transformers cartoon movie Sunday night where Ratchet and Bumblebee were displayed outside the theater as well, many of the voice actors were in house too!

THE ORIGINAL TRANSFORMER FEATURE FILM BACK ON THE BIG SCREEN!

"I've never seen this movie, nothing happens to Optimus Prime, right? Right? Hey Guys..."

You can find many more photos from BOTCON as well as a link to watch “Trampsformers” Ratchet on page 2 of Ratchets website :  http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3897880

watch the video, and see what his licence plate reads out! NICE, JASON!  The boys and bots have found each other, and there is no turning back!  Great job everyone!