The ideal alternative drive
It is not known to whom Batman submits his receipts from the filling station but it has been abundantly clear since the first futuristic Batmobile appeared in the sixties that the cars driven by the super-hero needs serious power. But the Batman of today need have no fear of even the most acute energy crisis now that his auto is powered exclusively by fuel cells. And the energy stored comes from the positivity that radiates from the man himself. Shazam! The ‘Bat Grips’ used to steer the amazing vehicle also channel this amazing source of bio-power to a hydrogen generator. To trigger the reaction the needed oxygen is simple ducted into the engine through an air intake. Admittedly the Batmobile designer, Gordon Murray, has left everything a bit vague in his technical drawings but in the world of comics everything is possible.
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- The Batmobile has only virtual wheels, for its anti-gravity drive lets it float just four centimetres off the ground, thanks to the force-field generated by the current from the fuel cell.
Batman Live… the real comic event
Strictly speaking this ecologically advanced rocket has not been developed for the movie but for a Batman Live show inspired by the original comic. The story goes back to the first meeting of Batman, alias Bruce Wayne, with his assistant, Robin. This is to be a hugely spectacular arena event with plenty of stunts and special effects to be staged for the first time in on the 19th of July in England and in January 2012 it will also thrill spectators in Germany. From the 11th of January to the 11th of March the extravaganza will tour making stops in Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hannover and Cologne.
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- The form of the Batmobile’s carosserie brings to mind the quickest racers on the fastest circuits. Gigantic diffusers and the spoiler at the back, together with the forming of the underbody, are intended to increase downforce.
Formula One Inspiration
The designer Gordon Murray is known for his aerodynamic constructions for Formula One racers and for the super sports car McLaren F1. It is no accident that the form of the Batmobile’s carosserie brings to mind the quickest racers on the fastest circuits. Gigantic diffusers and the spoiler at the back, together with the forming of the underbody, are intended to increase downforce. Probably very necessary since the Batmobile can at 160 kilometres an hour also drive on the ceiling… a capability which Formula One cars only have in theory!
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- The Batman of today need have no fear of even the most acute energy crisis now that his auto is powered exclusively by fuel cells. And the energy stored comes from the positivity that radiates from the man himself. Shazam!
Pot-holes no problem
Unlike Batman, Lewis Hamilton and the others still have need of wheels and tyres. But the Batmobile has only virtual wheels, for its anti-gravity drive lets it float just four centimetres off the ground, thanks to the force-field generated by the current from the fuel cell. Variation of the force-field allows the car to be steered left or right, forwards or backwards, and even to be spun round on its own axis.
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- Variation of the force-field allows the car to be steered left or right, forwards or backwards, and even to be spun round on its own axis.
Optional extras for a super-hero
But it takes more than just this innovative motorization to make a car fit for a super-hero. Gordon Murray’s Batmobile has sonar sensors linked to its navigation system so that the car is no longer as blind as the proverbial bat at night. There is also a hydrogen fuelled after-burner which allows for a leap to ‘hyperspeed’. From the car’s nose laser cannons can be fired and due to the properties of air-permeable carbon elements the auto can be completely silent when in motion. It goes without saying that the Dark Knight’s speedster also has stealth technology rendering it invisible to radar.
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- The very first Batmobile, built for the television series back in the sixties. The basis was a concept vehicle made by Lincoln, the Futura.
Immobilization of a different kind
What other super extras lurk in the bowels of the Batmobile is not fully known but it does appear that Gordon Murray has included as standard an innovative anti-theft function. Should an evil-doer happen to take the controls the Batmobile will simply refuse to move. After all, the car relies on the super-hero’s own ‘positive energy’.
