three wheeled car
A three wheeled car is an automobile typically having one wheel in the front for steering and two at the rear for power. This reduces the cost of the steering mechanism but greatly increases instability. However, a breed of vehicles having two wheels in the front and one wheel at the back has many strong proponents among automotive designers and enthusiasts. One advantage of this configuration is improved aerodynamics, and another is that it readily enables small lightweight motorcycle powerplants and rear wheels to be used. This approach was used by the BMW Isetta and the Berkeley cars T60.
For the lowest wind resistance (and best fuel efficiency) a teardrop shape is desirable. A tear drop is wide and round at the front, tapering to a point at the back. The three wheel configuration allows the two front wheels to create the wide round surface of the vehicle. The single rear wheel allows the vehicle to taper at the back.
The disadvantage of a non-tilting three wheel configuration is instability - the car will tip over in a turn before it will slide, unless the centre of mass is much closer to the ground or the wheelbase is much wider than a similar four wheel vehicle. To improve stability some three wheelers are designed as tilting three wheelers so that they lean while cornering like a motorcyclist would do. The tilt may be controlled manually or by computer. Electic three-wheelers often lower the center of gravity by placing the heavy battery pack at the base of the vehicle.
In at least some U.S. states, three wheeled cars are regulated as motorcycles with similar licensing requirements.[1] In other
jurisdictions, such as British Columbia, Canada, a
three-wheeled vehicle with an enclosed passenger compartment is considered an automobile. [2]. It is
important to check with the local authorities to determine how the law is applied in your area, as well as in other areas to
which you may travel. The cited sources here are a good example, as a three-wheeler licensed in BC may still have to meet motorcycle requirements if the owner travels across the Canada/
See also
- Xebra (Electric three wheeled car)
- Tricycle (Motorized tricycles)
- Automobile (Replica of the Benz Patent Motorwagen built in 1886)
- Steam tricycle
- Three wheeler
- Reliant Robin British three wheeled car manufactured in Tamworth
- Morgan Motor Company makers of three wheeled cars
- Tuk-tuk - 3-wheeled auto-rickshaws, common in India & Southeast Asia.
- Cushman - The only manufacturer of 3-wheeled autos in the United States, many built for utility/maintenance.
- Tri-Magnum - a DIY three-wheeler
External links
- History of the Three Wheeler
- http://www.3wheelers.com
- "Three Wheel Cars; Primary Factors that Determine Handling & Rollover Characteristics"
- XR-3 Hybrid - a hybrid-power three-wheeler from R.Q. Riley Enterprises. Plans will be released soon.
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