Feb 15, 2001 - It comes with a peculiar name, the latest Fun Car from Swiss specialist Frank Rinderknecht of Rinspeed.

At the forthcoming edition of the Geneva Motor Show, the creative entrepreneur will unveil the Advantige Rone, a monoposto sport car with the driver at the centre. Or if you like a Formula car with bodywork designed for road cruising. Like an F3, the car is very low (under 1 metre) and its design is rather unique, with longitudinal air inlets in the shape of shark gills guiding air to the rear mid-ship powertrain.

The rear view mirrors have been replaced by three colour cameras whose images are transmitted to LCD monitors in the cockpit.

The show car will certainly attract viewers for at least a couple of innovations. First is the ability of its engine to run both on gasoline or a gas (Kompogas, from the name of its producer) obtained by fermenting organic waste - mostly kitchen and garden waste - and therefore CO2 neutral. With the energy extracted from 100 kilograms organic waste the Advantige Rone will cover 100 kilometres without contributing to the so-called greenhouse effect.

The second and more visual innovation is the so-called Dynamic Cockpit Control that allows for dynamic positioning of the entire cockpit. Height and inclination of the cockpit - and with it the driver - are adjusted electronically according to vehicle speed: Up to 40 km/h the cockpit is automatically in the highest position. Beyond 75 km/h the cockpit is lowered by about 30 cm into its lowest position.

The cockpit also leans into turns in motorcycle fashion, governed by the centrifugal forces created by turning speed and radius. "This unique combination of automobile, motorcycle and race car cries out for the endless hairpin curves of Mediterranean coastal roads - a truly special thrill and treat", commented Frank Rinderknecht.

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