Carver One is a Dutch invention
The Dutch invention breaks all patterns. It's a cross between a car and a motorcycle, and despite its low power, it's a lot of fun to drive. Carver is also a great way to stand out from the crowd. Even supercars don't generate that much interest on the streets.
The Netherlands has never been an automotive hub. However, the cars built there differed in technical solutions. Suffice it to mention the DAF 600 of the 60s - the first modern car with a continuously variable transmission.
Work on the most extravagant car began in the first half of the 90s. Chris van den Brink and Harry Kroonen set out to build a car that would bridge the gap between motorcycles and cars. The Carver was supposed to have three wheels, a stationary power unit and a cab that would balance when cornering.
Easy to say, much harder to do… In the case of a motorcycle, the angle of the car folding into a turn can be adjusted by the rider with their own body and the corresponding movements of the steering wheel and throttle. In the case of a tricycle, things are more complicated. The structure is already so heavy that the mechanic has to take care of the right balance. The problem was solved by the innovative Dynamic Vehicle Control system.
After a long design work, fine-tuning prototypes and obtaining the necessary approvals, Carver production was launched in 2003. Over the next three years, a very limited number of examples left the factory. The production process was launched in earnest in 2006.
Despite the fact that Carver has more than 10 years of history behind it, it still looks futuristic. Its 3,4-meter body is devoid of decorations. This is an example of a car where form follows function. The undercarriage sections are angled to allow for deep folds when cornering. Fins on the rear of the body direct air to the engine radiator.
Of course, decorations were offered for an additional fee - incl. aluminum strips, a rear spoiler and additional paint schemes for the body, front swingarm and powertrain housing. The possibility of personalization extends to the interior, which can be trimmed in leather or Alcantara.
The small cab of the Carver One can accommodate two people. Interestingly, there is a passenger up to 1,8 m tall in the back. The low seat cushion and footrests on both sides of the front seat make the driving conditions tolerable.
It is more than desirable that the driver and passenger do not suffer from claustrophobia or problems with the maze. Moments after takeoff, the Dutch invention creates the feeling of a roller coaster. In turns, the asphalt begins to approach the side windows. Incredibly fast. Declared by the manufacturer, the ability to change the slope reaches 85 ° / s. However, the DVC system ensures that the fold angle does not exceed 45 degrees. It's really a lot. Most of us consider 20-30 degrees to be a potentially dangerous slope. Achieving higher values - whether traveling on a motorcycle or on a Carver - requires fighting your own weaknesses.
Struggling with restrictions can be addictive. Above the instrument panel is an LED strip that shows the degree of inclination of the cabin. It ends, of course, with red lights, which in this car are more motivating to fight your own fears than to limit the pace of cornering.
Comfort... Well... It's better than a motorcycle, because it keeps your head down, it doesn't rain on your head, you can use the heating on cooler days, and the rides are even more pleasant. audio system. Compared to even the simplest cars, travel comfort is meagre. The engine is noisy, the interior is cramped and not very ergonomic - the handbrake lever is located under the seat, and the boost pressure indicator is covered by the knee. Trunk? There is, if this is what we call a shelf behind the back seat, it will fit nothing more than a large cosmetic bag.
On warm days, the canvas roof can be rolled up as standard on all Carvera vehicles. The side windows can also be opened to improve air circulation in the cabin. Mostly a person traveling in the back seat will benefit from the breeze. The sharply inclined roof pillars effectively isolate the driver from gusts of wind.
The heart of the Carver One is a 659cc four-cylinder engine. The unit comes from Daihatsu Copen, a small roadster that was offered mainly in Japan in 2002-2012. The turbocharger squeezes 68 hp out of a small engine. at 6000 rpm and 100 Nm at 3200 rpm. Electronic tuning allows you to quickly and relatively cheaply increase power to 85 hp. Even in the production version, Carver One is dynamic - it accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 8,2 seconds and reaches 185 km / h. These are not indicators of a motorcycle or even a sports car of the C segment. However, we must remember that sitting in a cramped cabin at a height of more than a dozen centimeters above the asphalt, we feel the speed much more sharply than in a car. classic car.
Fuel consumption is reasonable. In the city of Carver, it takes about 7 l / 100 km. It is a pity that in traffic jams it cannot be compared with the agility of motorcycles. Behind the width of 1,3 meters. An additional half meter in relation to two-wheeled vehicles prevents punching between the cables of cars.
Exotic Carver doesn't make it easy to find parts. Useful foreign auction sites and clubs that unite users of non-standard cars. Unfortunately, the prices of some components can shock even wealthy people. Suffice it to say that the pressure pump, the heart of the cabin layout system, costs 1700 euros.
Carver user clubs are also the easiest place to find someone looking for a new owner. The prices for cars in perfect condition are outrageously high. Without 100-150 zlotys in your pocket, it is better not to try to buy it. For invested Carvers with low mileage, sellers want . zlotys and much more!
The amounts are astronomical, but Carver seems like a relatively safe investment. The custom car manufacturer filed for bankruptcy in mid-2009. Carver production is unlikely to be restarted.
We thank the company for their help in preparing the material:
SP Motors
he Mehoffer 52
03-130 Warsaw
