Not many other companies have been able to demonstrate this continuity of presence at a world trade fair. In 2018, for the fortieth time, Rinspeed put its innovation - this year the Rinspeed "Snap" - in the spotlight on the shores of Lac Leman.
The first time, a turbocharged and personalized Golf I with a sunroof stood in the old halls of the Plain-Palais - in white. Even back then, white was one of the fashionable and trendy colors.
Tuning variations based on BMW, VW and Porsche models followed, such as the gullwing-door Golf Aliporta from 1982, which had a lot of power under the hood. Finally, a turbocharger brought the engine up to 135 hp. Inside, a Porsche 928 dashboard shone and there was even a television on board as well as a bar with a fridge.
The unique specimen cost around CHF 100,000.
This was followed by many more one-offs, and Rinspeed transformed itself from a tuning provider to a developer of concept cars. Many color cycles and dozens of innovations and world premieres bear witness to his creativity.
One of the highlights was definitely the "sQuba", the world's first submersible car, which captivated visitors in 2008 - James Bond sent his regards.
Now the Rinspeed Snap in 2018
Self-driving cars, packed with fast-moving IT components, will help solve traffic problems in the foreseeable future, and not just in urban areas. To this end, Swiss think tank Rinspeed has designed a sophisticated and unique mobility ecosystem with its latest concept car "Snap": Rinspeed boss Frank M. Rinderknecht implements the ageing hardware and software in the usage-intensive driving platform ("skateboard") - and separates this from the long-lasting passenger cell ("pod").
From now on, the two go their own ways - whereby the pod can even become useful when not in use: from the variable shopping pod, the spacious camping pod and the cozy snuggle pod to the breathtaking, fully networked user experience for the occupants of the passenger cabin. Here, only the imagination sets limits to the possible designs.
With this ingenious trick, the Swiss mobility visionary disentangles very different life cycles of various car components: The skateboard carries the long-lasting mechanics and the IT technology that is susceptible to ageing and is recycled after a few years of intensive use when the intended mileage is reached, while the far less stressed pod can do its job for many years longer before it too has to be recycled. This is good for the environment because it saves a considerable amount of resources, and the innovative Swiss company also solves a problem that many people are familiar with from their car's navigation system: it can no longer find its way because the software and map data are out of date.
What is merely annoying here could quickly become relevant to safety in the near future with self-driving cars. There's no question that the name Snap really says it all, because everything fits together perfectly and can be connected with a click. Following a proven tradition, Rinspeed's twenty-fourth concept car was once again designed by the Swiss company 4erC and technically implemented by Esoro. A comprehensive study by EY on the Snap ecosystem shows its (almost) unlimited possibilities.
As always when Rinderknecht is at work, the e-mobile is packed with technical and visual refinements provided by a renowned network of global companies. For example, the two steered axles and integrated electric drive are from ZF. This means that the Snap can turn almost on the spot and is emission-free in city traffic. It does this on weight-optimized and stylish 7x18 Borbet light alloy wheels, on which consumption-optimized 225/35-18 tires are fitted. Incidentally, all bonding in and on the Snap is realized with innovative adhesives from Sika Automotive.
If desired, a "personal assistant" in the form of a self-driving intelligent robot can even accompany the occupants. This robot is also happy to help with errands, carrying the shopping or other tedious tasks. Snap - rarely has a concept car described the problems of an entire industry with the different life cycles of various car components more precisely - and also offered an interesting solution. Perhaps it will click with some people who marvel at the new creation by Swiss mobility mastermind Frank M. Rinderknecht at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. As always, professionally staged by the Saarland advertising agency Vollmond, the "Snap" was realized with a whole range of industry partners.
It can of course be seen at the Geneva Motor Show from March 8 to 18, 2018.
