Are you intrigued by the Can-Am Spyder, a three-wheeled motorcycle/automobile/snowmobile/ATV/trike crossover? If so, be sure to check out our past coverage of this genre-bender, and follow this link over to Rider Magazine where you can read their ride report of the new model. As a refresher for those of us who have been following the vehicle since we first heard about it, over 100 horsepower with good tourque from a rotax V-Twin engine in a lightweight package should make for serious fun. And, the built-in safety features such as ABS, traction control and stability control work to keep all three wheels on the ground.

If you like the idea of traveling on three wheels, but are not convinced that this is the machine for you, or if you cannot imagine not having a roof over your head, consider the impending XR3 hybrid model from Robert Q. Riley enterprises. I have seen this vehicle first-hand and can say that it will indeed hit the market, probably this year. You can have a Can-Am Spyder for for just under $15 grand, so start saving now if you are interested in getting one. And, if you do, make sure to share your experiences with the rest of us here!

[Source: Rider Magazine]

I have a brief update from Robert at Robert Q. Riley Enterprises about the status of the XR3 diesel\electric hybrid prototype. I can also share with you a few pictures of an XR3 body under construction. The process of creating a body from scratch requires building up a foam core that is larger than the desired end shape and then cutting and sanding it down to the correct size and shape. After this is complete, the fiberglass cloth is layered over the foam plug and the resin is applied over the cloth. Next, the foam core can be reduced to the proper size and another layer of fiberglass can be added on the inside, creating a foam\fiberglass sandwich. The end result is a rather strong outer shell which will never rust. Alternatively, molds can be taken off a completed body to allow other bodies to be created with the exact same specifications.

As you can see from the pictures below, the final shape is starting to show up on this work-in-progress. The right side is nearly molded to the desired shape, and the left is being built up. Robert shared with me that he is in talks with a fiberglass company to get molds created to duplicate the finished shape of this body. Under this foam composite sits the backbone frame, which I have seen, awaiting the VW transaxle and three-cylinder diesel engine at the front and electric motor at the rear. A custom windshield will be added at the front of the body shell after the fiberglass work is complete. Again, we hope to keep our readers updated as work on this prototype continues. If anybody has any specific questions, I can forward them to Robert if I don't already have the answer.

Related:

• Technical details of the XR3 learned during our visit to Robert Q. Riley Enterprises
• Robert Q. Riley Enterprises is set to introduce their new XR3 hybrid 3-wheeler in June
• Forbes weighs in with their take on "Green Cars of the Future"

[Source: Robert Q. Riley]

Robert Q. Riley, who you may already be familiar with due to his past projects like the Tri-Magnum, is working on a new diesel\electric hybrid three-wheeled vehicle. Like other three-wheelers, this one will be a motorcycle when it comes to regulations in the U.S. Also, like his past projects, the plans for the vehicle will be for sale for consumers to purchase in order to build the vehicle themselves. Using fiber-reinforced-plastic, or FRP, the body shell will be constructed over the chassis, using the chassis as a jig to ensure a proper fit. Many people with the DIY spirit have already done this when building his past project vehicles. Check this site out for examples. And, check this site for more on three-wheelers.

Riley claims that the vehicle will be able to travel 40 miles on electric power only, and the vehicle offers plug-in capability. Lithium-ion batteries provide the power. Alternatively, the driver can choose to activate the small diesel engine, which, along with the electric motor, should be able to provide between 125-225 miles per gallon, depending on how much use the diesel powerplant gets. Interested in more? Good, because we plan to run a feature article next week after a visit to his shop.

[Source: Robert Q. Riley Enterprises]