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]

We showed you the press release from Robert Q. Riley Enterprises announcing the impending launch of the XR3 diesel electric hybrid a few days ago. Now, we would like to share with you some technical details that we learned while we made a visit recently.

The diesel engine, mounted at the front of the vehicle, is from Kubota and is a three-cylinder 23 horsepower model. The engine is certified for B20 use, and almost certainly will run fine on B100. The engine is mated to a four-speed manual transaxle, sourced from VW. Yes, the venerable Beetle shares its transmission for this application. Custom half-shafts with CV joints connect the transaxle to the front wheels using Chevy hubs, brakes and front end components.

The frame of the machine is a custom backbone, made of steel. A bank of lithium-ion batteries is contained in the center of the frame, and another set of batteries lies at the front of the vehicle on either side of the engine. An 8" electric motor sourced from ADC connects to a jackshaft and on to the rear wheel via belt drive. There is no provision for regenerative braking.

Read more after the jump.

[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]