Superbus prototype aims to save us from boring public transport [video]

Top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph)

Public transport is about to get a lot more exciting as the Superbus concept has been unveiled at the UITP Mobility and City Transport Expo in Dubai.

Developed by the Netherland's Delft University of Technology, the fully-functioning prototype measures 15,000 mm (49.21 ft) long, 2,550 mm (8.20 ft) wide and 1,650 mm (5.41 ft) tall. It features an aerodynamic body with sixteen gullwing doors and the ability to carry 23 passengers and a driver.

Tipping the scales at 9,500 kg (21,000 lbs) fully loaded, the bus is motivated by a lithium-ion battery which sends power to an electric motor that has a peak output of 600 kW (805 hp / 816 PS). This enables the prototype to hit a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) and travel up to 210 km (130 miles) on a single charge.

If everything goes according to plan, the Superbus could be hitting the streets of Dubai as early as 2015.

Source: Superbus and TU Delft

Add a Comment

Comments (20)

newest first oldest first

Subscribe to comments

is dubai's road or street very easy to accommodate such a vehicle?

April 11, 2011 7:38 pm

report abuse | reply

memexe

I imagine this "thing" travelling 2 km between two stations and hitting 225km/h just before arriving to a full stop. Then, I visualize 19 first class passengers getting out with their cloths full of their stomach content. The other three passengers are "sleeping" well in their chairs. The driver is smiling and looking for new customers. Good job!

April 11, 2011 7:42 pm

report abuse | reply

vanquert

Am I the only one thinking this is plain stupid?

April 11, 2011 7:43 pm

report abuse | reply

dmanero

ok looks cool and all but I'll find it hard to believe that "bus" can go 155mph. The turbulence allow in the Wheel wells is going to cause hell of a lot of drag. Look at any Supercar and the space between the tire and the wheel well in minimal

April 11, 2011 8:15 pm

report abuse | reply

Homerlovesbeer

How about getting a bus to run on schedule first before worrying about doing 155mph. In Australian cities you'd be very lucky to average 40km/h so speed is pointless. Just have it run on time at 15 min intervals please.

April 11, 2011 8:35 pm

report abuse | reply

norther

i get ill from public transport. i have to breathe the air of some of my fellow citizens, air which they infect with their caughing... i always get stepped on and not to mention, it is smelly. and yeah, it isnt on time. but putting these minor setbacks aside, why do u need speed for a bus? if it travels inside a city, it maybe does 5-10 mins, than stops; then another 5-10 mins and then stop. and the luxury part, useless again. city people arent going to look after it. i think this would be a bad investemnt for a city.

April 11, 2011 8:53 pm

report abuse | reply

ADCAR

this superbus suppose to transport businessmen to and from dubai abu dhabi . i think special road will be made specifically for this bus non stop between those cities.

April 11, 2011 11:30 pm

report abuse | reply

haji

er, i suppose they were joking, right?

April 11, 2011 11:42 pm

report abuse | reply

Cootje

This prototype is excists already for some years. It is an idea of Wubbo Ockels, the first dutch astronaut.

April 12, 2011 2:08 am

report abuse | reply

wcfuser14369

Looks like a 1970s kit car.

April 12, 2011 2:35 am

report abuse | reply

charlemagne

crappy, crappier, crappiest, superbus.

April 12, 2011 4:47 am

report abuse | reply

SPORTINGUISTA_29

how many doors he has got? It's a very strange & longer bus

April 12, 2011 6:52 am

report abuse | reply

madness

I hope that there are no sharp corners is Dubai! Otherwise I see both back wheels getting scuffed on kerbs quite often!

April 12, 2011 6:58 am

report abuse | reply

Dude von Dudenstein

This is a nice gizmo for the guys from Top Gear to try out!

April 12, 2011 7:05 am

report abuse | reply

mslvckM3

Let's see. The 3,400 pound lithium ion battery powered Nissan Leaf has a 100 mile range (not traveling over 57mph according to the EPA test standard) but we are supposed to believe that this 21,000 pound monster has a range of 130 miles AND can hit a 155mph top speed also powered by lithium ion batteries. Someone isn't telling the truth here.

April 12, 2011 8:28 am

report abuse | reply

Siawa

Doesn't look very practical.

April 12, 2011 10:59 am

report abuse | reply

MotoDC

I must be missing something here... this looks inefficient and expensive for public transportation. I think the good ole city bus could use a refresher, just like everyone else, but this seems to miss the mark completely.

April 12, 2011 2:22 pm

report abuse | reply

Ferraridude

It looks like a top gear attempt to make a limo, only I'd rather have the top gear one. This bus is not my type of "bus" lol, I prefer normal ones.

April 12, 2011 5:24 pm

report abuse | reply

molythro

bus??? comeon...public road?? comeon.. its just like one of the limo....with battery pack.

April 12, 2011 5:35 pm

report abuse | reply

xLumino

it is a bus and it's a very good conception. Think about the fallowing. Important guests landing in Dubai for a congress, now they charter their own limousines, all 5 or more meters long for only one or two people. That#s alot of emission and costs alot. Whould these people use a public bus? for sure not! so what about this one? That's specifical and a great vehicle for hotels to carry the VIPs from airport to the hotel or the congress or whatever. don't think to simple and don't call it stupid, only because it's different from what you already know!

April 12, 2011 7:00 pm

report abuse | reply