2006 Carver One

(From Carver Press Release)

Carver One production kicks off

Orders are being taken now!

Flying the road, carving the curves… once you have experienced this unique thrill you will only want to drive it again and again and again… And now you can!

In 2003 the first exclusive series of hand-made Carvers was produced. Receiving rave reviews from the press and industry watchers worldwide, these first Carvers sold out in record time and were shipped to various enthusiastic owners throughout the world.

Tweaked and fine-tuned to perfection, the Carver One is now ready for global commercialisation. Production of the first batch of a limited series of 500 hand-crafted Carver Ones will start in May 2006.

Carver Europe (‘Carver’) has appointed several distributors around Europe and in the USA, and together with them is currently taking orders. Clients can sign up now to secure their position in the order book as production and delivery will be on a ‘first ordered - first served’ basis. First deliveries are expected in June/July 2006

About Carver Europe

Strategically located in the centre of Europe and headquartered in Dordrecht, the Netherlands, Carver Europe ('Carver') was founded in 2005 to co-ordinate the production, sales and service of the Carver One in Europe and the rest of the world. The global sales and service network is currently being rolled out. First distributors have been appointed and discussions with partners worldwide are underway.

About the Carver One

The Carver One is a unique slender, three-wheeled, twin-seat tilting vehicle combining the exciting agility of a motorcycle and the comfort and safety of a car. Being steered like a car it banks like a motorcycle, the Dynamic Vehicle Control (DVC™) system automatically adjusting the tilt angle to the speed and acceleration of the vehicle, thus ensuring an optimum balance at all times. The Carver One has been granted full European type approval and various initiatives to obtain certification outside Europe have been launched. In Europe, a car driver's licence is required to drive a Carver One. In the USA most states require either a car licence or a motorcycle licence. For tax purposes the Carver One is registered as a motorcycle in most countries. The Carver One is sold and serviced worldwide through a network of specialised distributors and dealers (www.carver-europe.com).

The Carver One is the world's first-ever commercially available tilting three-wheeled vehicle. It is steered like a car but when cornering, it banks like a motorcycle or an aeroplane. The thrill of this tilting capability combined with the handling of a sports car makes for an exhilarating driving experience unlike any other! The cockpit seats the driver and passenger in a tandem configuration. The removable body-coloured roof panel, alloy wheels, sports interior and design aluminium accents are part of a comprehensive standard package. Each Carver One can be personalised through additional options such as metallic or special paint, leather seats and engine tuning.

 Here is something that will make you go out of your way to find curvy roads: the Carver One! You steer it like a car, but when cornering it banks like a motorcycle while you feel like you are flying a jetfighter. The thrill of this tilting capability combined with the handling of a sports car makes for an exhilarating driving experience unlike any other!

 The Carver One is the world's first-ever commercially available tilting three-wheeled vehicle. It is steered like a car, but when cornering it banks like a motorcycle, creating the impression of flying a jetfighter. The mechanical-hydraulic Dynamic Vehicle Control (DVC™) system automatically adjusts the tilt angle, ensuring an optimum balance at all times, resulting in an agile but safe, stable and comfortable platform. The thrill of this tilting capability combined with the handling of a sports car, makes for an exhilarating driving experience unlike any other.

Powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder 660cc, 16 valve, five-speed rear-mounted engine that produces 68 bhp, the Carver One goes from 0 to 60 mph in 8 s and attains a top speed of 115 mph. An extremely safe and enclosed ‘monocoque’ cockpit structure seats the driver and passenger in a tandem configuration. The removable body-coloured roof panel, alloy wheels, sports interior and design aluminium accents are part of a comprehensive standard package. Each Carver One can be personalised through additional options such as metallic or special paint, leather seats and engine tuning.

For more information about the Carver One, visit www.carver-europe.com

Key information

The Carver One is a slender, three-wheeled, twin-seat tilting vehicle. You steer it just like a car and it reacts just like a motorcycle, or better still, an aeroplane: when cornering, it banks. But unlike a motorcycle where the rider adjusts the tilt angle by shifting their weight, the Dynamic Vehicle Control (DVC™) system of the Carver One automatically adjusts the tilt angle to the speed and acceleration of the vehicle, thus ensuring an optimum balance at all times. The Carver One combines the exciting agility of a motorcycle with the comfort and safety of a car: the best of both worlds. The thrill of this tilting capability combined with the handling of a sports car makes for an exhilarating driving experience unlike any other!

Technical specifications

Dimensions

Length 3.40 m

Height 1.40 m

Width (tilt angle ≤ 25°) 1.30 m

Width (max. tilt angle) 1.60 m

Wheel base 2.65 m

Fuel tank capacity 32 L (7 UK gallons - 8 US gallons)

Empty weight 670 kg (1,477 lb.)

Performance

Top speed 185 km/h (115 mph)

Acceleration 0-100 km/h (60 mph) in 8.2 s

Max. tilt angle 45°

Max. tilt speed 85°/s

Turning circle (curb to curb) 9.5 m

Fuel consumption (estimated average) 6 L/100km (1:16 - 45 UK mpg - 40 US mpg)

Engine Cylinders/valves 4 cylinder 16 valve turbo intercooler

Displacement 659 cc

Cooling water-cooled

Max. power 50 kW (68 bhp) at 6,000 rpm

Max. torque 100 Nm (74 lb.ft) at 3,200 rpm

Transmission 5-speed manual & reverse

Fuel lead-free EURO

Emission system catalytic converter with oxygen sensor

Electrical system 14 V/32 A alternator, Volts 12 V / 30 Ah battery

Ignition ECU multipoint injection with knock sensor - firing order 1-3-4-2

Wheels, tyres, suspension and brakes

Wheels double 5-spoke alloy

front 17”

rear 15”

Tyres

front 140/70

rear 195/45

Brakes discs on all wheels

Front suspension single-arm with hydraulic shock absorption

Rear suspension McPherson suspension with rear-wheel steering

Standard package

1    Removable hard top roof in body colour

2    Alloy wheels - double 5-spoke - front 17" / rear 15" (silver)

3    Sports interior (black fabric trim)

4    3-spoke sports leather-covered steering wheel

5    Design aluminium dashboard and gear lever knob

6     4 instruments: speedometer and mileometer (odometer), rev counter, fuel gauge, engine
      temperature

7     Built-in class III remote control alarm system incl. remote control power door lock

8     Dashboard 'carving' LED indicators (continuous indication of the vehicle's tilt angle) with audible
       signal

9     Heating / ventilation / windshield defroster

10    Electric windows

11    Front and rear seat belts

12    Ashtray / drink holder / 12 V socket

13    Tyre repair kit

14    Black carpet with Carver logo

15    Side mirrors and back of driver's seat: black

16    Exterior colour - basic palette (white, yellow, blue)

 Factory-fitted options

1     Premium quality full leather (mono-colour or bi-colour) or leather/alcantara interior upholstery

2    Exterior metallic paint (standard palette)

3    Special exterior colours (two-tone paint, solid black, stealth black (matte black), pearl, or any
      manufacturer colour or custom colour of choice)

4    Rear spoiler

5    High power wheel back (alloy - dark silver)

6    Shadow wheel pack (alloy - matte black)

7    Turbo pressure dashboard gauge

8    Radio/CD/MP3 player with 4 front speakers

9    GPS navigation with Bluetooth™ mobile phone hands-free kit

10   Accessories Rear spoiler

11   Roll-up soft top (black)

12   High power wheel back (alloy - dark silver) excl. tyres

13   Shadow wheel pack (alloy - matte black) excl. tyres

14   GPS navigation with Bluetooth™ mobile phone hands-free kit

15   Luggage bag (waterproof fabric, black) with mounting bracket underneath the spoiler

16   Engine ECU tuning to 85 bhp



Service & warranty

The Carver One is sold and serviced worldwide through a network of specialised distributors and dealers. In Europe, the Carver One is covered by a 2-year factory warranty. For the USA and Canada a 1-year limited mileage warranty applies.

In Europe, the Carver One (European specifications) is available from 29,950 euros (ex works). A Carver One full option (metallic exterior, leather/alcantara interior trim, spoiler, shadow wheel pack, turbo meter, radio/CD/MP3 type C, navigation, soft top, luggage bag, engine tuning) is available from 37,560 euros (ex works) (European specifications - prices valid until 31 December 2006).

Clients are advised to contact their local distributor for the correct price for registration in their country. If someone wants to register the Carver One in a country where we have not yet appointed a distributor, they should contact Carver Europe for the correct price.
 

Practical information

The Carver One has been granted full European type approval and various initiatives to obtain certification outside Europe have been launched. In Europe, a car driver's licence is required to drive a Carver One. In the USA most states require either a car licence or a motorcycle licence. For tax purposes the Carver One is registered as a motorcycle in most countries.

Disclaimer

This document details the European specification Carver One, which may differ from Carver One models made available outside Europe.
Please note that Carver Europe (‘Carver’) is not responsible for printing errors and reserves the right to change options or standard features on any Carver One models as required.
Prices mentioned above are valid only for orders placed with Carver Headquarters directly.
For up-to-date country-specific information on the specifications and availability of the Carver One, its accessories and options, please contact your local distributor/dealer or visit us at www.carver-europe.com

 The making of the Carver One…

 It must have been late ‘80s, early 90's when Anton van den Brink wondered whether it really should take 2.5 tons of steel to transport just one person of, say, 100 kg. Instead of enjoying the splendours of Paris he was stuck in a hideous traffic jam, long before the larger European cities were considering congestion charges in an attempt to cut down on emissions arising from too many vehicles clogging the roads.

He was convinced that mobility could be made more efficient by moving that same person using only a fraction of the space and fuel consumption without giving in on comfort and safety. What he envisaged was a man-wide lightweight vehicle. Back in Holland he further developed the concept.

The first test prototype was an enclosed 'motorcycle' with a small frontal area to reduce fuel consumption. Just like a motorcycle it had two wheels and therefore needed two additional telescopic support wheels to provide stability when the vehicle was standing still. This first concept car, however, required special driving skills to say the least.

Obviously, for the vehicle to cater for the average car driver, it had to be modified. Stability at low speeds or at rest requires at least three wheels. In order to provide stability in corners as well, the body of the vehicle would have to be made to tilt. This should come as no surprise: banking is the only natural way to take corners. By bringing the centre of gravity towards the centre of the curve, just as airplanes, bikers and snowboarders do, stability would be guaranteed.

The real breakthrough came in 1994 with the development of the Dynamic Vehicle Control (DVC™) concept by Anton's son Chris and his colleague Harry Kroonen, both aeronautical engineers at Brink Dynamics. Incidentally, Chris Van den Brink had been a fervent (professional) snowboarder and one of the pioneers of alpine snowboard development. The DVC™ system would automatically translate the 'car type steering' input into an optimal 'motorcycle type banking' of the chassis.

The first actual vehicle concept using the DVC™ system was realised in 1995. This narrow tilting three-wheeler proved to be more than the validation of the concept: it turned out to be extreme fun to drive! This aspect would also prove to be paramount to the vehicle's acceptance and ultimate success.

In the years that followed, successive versions of the vehicle concept were developed, fine-tuning the hydraulic tilting mechanism and the steering system. The Dutch police put the prototype to the test in 1997, and in the summer of that year it was officially approved for road use by the Dutch National Road Authority.

Having realised a roadworthy vehicle, the next step was then to optimise the driving dynamics to improve vehicle safety and control, and to enhance the driving experience. Not just the handling was scrutinised. Until then the vehicle's looks had been of secondary importance: a barely covered bar frame, highly functional but offering plenty of room for improvement. Johan Vissers, one of the engineers who had been involved in the development of the earlier prototypes, was commissioned to create an entirely new styling that would stand the test of time.

The 1999 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show premiered the design concept of what would become known as the Carver, nothing short of a revolution in automotive history.

The engineers at Brink Dynamics were not the only ones to have tried to overcome the problem of a narrow vehicle cornering without tipping over. Several established car manufacturers have made serious attempts to develop narrow (tilting) vehicles, but Brink Dynamics' engineers were the only ones to pull it off successfully and to produce a system that has made it to commercial production.

Indeed, with EU type certification granted in 2002, there was little left in the way of commercialisation. The first exclusive series of hand-made Carvers was manufactured in 2003. Receiving rave reviews from the press and industry watchers worldwide, these first Carvers sold out in record time and were shipped to various enthusiastic owners throughout the world.

Further road testing and validation by these first owners has resulted in the Carver One, which is now ready for larger scale commercialisation under the wings of Carver Europe.

Strategically located in the centre of Europe with head offices in Dordrecht, the Netherlands, Carver Europe ('Carver') was founded in 2005 to co-ordinate the sales and service of the Carver One in Europe and the rest of the world. The worldwide sales and service network is currently being rolled out. First distributors have been appointed and discussions with partners worldwide are underway.

Production of the first batch of a limited edition of 500 hand-crafted vehicles will start in May 2006; first deliveries to customers are scheduled for July 2006. For the production, Carver has teamed up with Prodrive, one of the world's leading motor sport and vehicle technology providers. True to its roots, however, the engineering facility remains located in Dordrecht, the Netherlands, where it al started 15 years ago. 

History and milestones - chronological overview

Early 90’s

Inspired by the ever-increasing congestion and pollution problems of modern traffic, Anton van den Brink, founder and director of the Eurotool Group of companies, launches an initiative to investigate the feasibility of realising a so-called slender comfort vehicle, i.e. a vehicle half the width and half the weight of a conventional car. Indeed, studies demonstrate that more than 90% of all cars are only occupied by one or two people.

An enthusiastic group of engineers teams up with Anton van den Brink and found Eco-Car BV.
Eco-Car develops a single passenger enclosed 'motorcycle' with controllable support wheels to balance the vehicle at slow speeds and to allow it to stop. This first prototype, however, requires considerable driving skills.

1993

In December 1993, the prototype is demonstrated at the exhibition 'The Compact Car, History with a Future'. Market analysis indicates a large potential for narrow vehicles that could transport one or two people and that would not require special driving skills.

Eco-Car concludes that its prototype is an interesting concept but not a commercially or technically viable solution. Whilst for decades several serious attempts have been made by established companies to develop a man wide vehicle that automatically tilts in corners, patent investigations indicate that a truly user-friendly technology has not yet been developed. Based on a thorough review of known designs and technologies, the engineers are convinced that the lack of practical man wide vehicles is largely due to the lack of a reliable technology that would automatically ensure the balance of the vehicle in corners, provide comfort and safety at varying speeds and road conditions while requiring no special driving skills.

1994

Chris Van den Brink and Harry Kroonen, aeronautical engineers at Brink Dynamics, one of the Eurotool companies, develop the Dynamic Vehicle Control (DVC™) concept which would automatically translate the 'car type steering' input into an optimal 'motorcycle type banking' of the chassis. The concept is built into a first mechanical test model. 1995 International patents without limitations are granted on the DVC™ system.

1995-1996

The first vehicle concept using the DVC™ system is realised. This narrow tilting three-wheeler is the validation of the concept, and, not unimportantly, offers tremendous driving pleasure as a bonus. Several versions of the prototype are developed, fine-tuning the hydraulic tilting mechanism and the steering system.

 1997

The three-wheeled prototype is extensively tested by the Dutch police. In May, the prototype is approved for road use by the Dutch National Road Authority. In June, Brink Dynamics is awarded the prestigious Dutch Innovation Centre award (ID NL) 'Best invention of 1997'.

CNN World Report features the Brink Dynamics prototype and the future potential of narrow vehicles.

1998-1999

The driving dynamics of the prototype are further optimised to improve vehicle safety and control, and to enhance the driving experience. In collaboration with Johan Vissers, one of the engineers who had been involved in the early versions of the prototype, the vehicle is further developed and restyled into the Carver.

1999

In September the Carver design concept is featured at the 1999 IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany.

2000 - 2002

The Carver design concept is further developed and validated. 2002 The Carver is granted EU type certification. Vandenbrink BV, sister company of Brink Dynamics, is established to manufacture and market the Carver.

2003

24 exclusive Carvers are built by hand, 20 of which are sold worldwide (UK, Spain, Netherlands, UAE, ...) The Carver features in various renowned magazines and television programmes, amongst them BBC Top Gear.

2004 - 2005

Further road testing and validation results in a perfected version, the Carver One.

2005 - present Carver Europe GmbH, with head office in Zürich (CH), is founded to co-ordinate the worldwide sales and service of the Carver One. The engineering facilities remain located in Dordrecht (NL). From 1 February 2006, Carver Europe head offices - now Carver Europe BV - are relocated to Dordrecht, near Rotterdam. The global sales and service network is being rolled out and preparations for the production of the first batch of a limited edition of 500 hand-crafted vehicles for delivery in July 2006, are underway. The Carver One features in various international television programmes, including Discovery Channel and Beyond Tomorrow.

Frequently asked questions

Below we have listed a selection of frequently asked questions and their answers. Do not hesitate to contact us should any of your questions remain unanswered.

Carver One - the concept

1 Why is the Carver called Carver?

Dutch by design it owes its name to the English verb 'to carve', meaning 'to cut into a desired shape, to decorate by cutting and shaping carefully, to cut or engrave figures as an art, ...'. This is exactly what happens when you drive a Carver: you 'carve' corners. And even when there are none, you will be carving down the roads, carving your way through traffic, constructing your own track just like skiers and snowboarders carve down snowy slopes. At low speeds and in reverse, the cockpit stays upright, but as soon as you gain speed and turn the steering wheel, the cockpit banks, just like a motorcycle or, even better, an aeroplane, as the Dynamic Vehicle Control (DVC™) system automatically adjusts the tilt angle of the cockpit to the speed and acceleration of the vehicle, enabling a plane-like ‘tilting before cornering’.

2 So what is it exactly, a car or a motorcycle?

For those who care: it is both or neither... You steer it just like a car and it reacts just like a motorcycle: when cornering, it banks. But unlike a motorcycle where the rider adjusts the tilt angle by shifting their weight, the tilt angle of the Carver One is adjusted automatically. It combines the exciting agility of a motorcycle with the comfort and safety of a car: the best of both worlds.

3 Why does it tilt?

Vehicles with a narrow wheel base will topple over when cornering at higher speeds as they become unstable. Bringing the centre of gravity towards the centre of the curve ensures stability. The tilting is essential. For a vehicle to be user-friendly, the banking should be done automatically rather than being set by the driver. This is exactly what the Dynamic Vehicle Control (DVC™) system does and this is why the Carver One is such a comfortable and safe vehicle with an excitingly sporty behaviour. When you come to think about it, banking is the only natural way to take corners. A wild animal changing directions and twisting around quickly while chasing its prey, a motorcycle diving into corners and ripping chicanes, an athlete rounding the turn into the final straight and an airplane gliding through the clouds all have one thing in common: when cornering, they bank!

Carver One - the experience

1 Do I need to learn how to drive a Carver One or can I just drive away?

Riding a Carver One is not too difficult. There are no exceptional skills required. Just allow yourself time to get used to the tilting. For some this takes just minutes, while for others this may take a little longer. However, once you get the hang of it, the banking in corners comes naturally and you will wonder how you have managed to take corners all this time without banking. Have another go at the roundabout!

 2 How does it feel to drive a Carver One?

It's hard to put in words, really... Formula 1 pilot Jenson Button's smile when he put the Carver One to the test pretty much says it all, and if not, his final verdict does: "... absolute madness… fantastic!" Jeremy Clarkson from BBC's Top Gear admitted "… never had so much fun in a car, really and truly. And I don’t think I’d ever get tired of it!"

So, how does it feel exactly, virtually unrestricted manoeuvrability? How does it feel to surf through traffic, to snowboard roundabouts or to pivot corners? It's like riding your own roller coaster designed on the fly. It's like flying a glider at ground level. It's like playing the lead in your own version of Top Gun. It's all these things and more at the same time.
Tilting, in just a second, from cheek to cheek with a smile to match… Arguably the most radical antidepressant, or, as Jeremy Clarkson put it in his 2003 Shoot Out: "The most fun you can have."

3 Is the Carver One a commuter vehicle or is it just another fun car?

How about dubbing it a "fun commuter"? Conceived as a more rational commuter vehicle, it proved to be just tremendous fun to drive, and this aspect has been paramount to its success. Everyone has their own reasons to drive a Carver One, and as we don't want to be all things to all men, everyone will just have to put up with the fun!

4 How does the Carver One handle adverse driving conditions (rain, snow or otherwise slippery roads, ...)

While the Carver One was not specially designed to handle the most severe winter conditions, it could be used by the more experienced driver on snowy roads provided you use winter tyres or spikes.

On slippery roads, situations of under-steering are solved in much the same way as with a standard front wheel drive car. Situations of slight over-steering (i.e. the backend of the Carver One breaking up to 30 degrees relative to the position of the front wheel) are relatively easy to control, just like they are with a standard rear wheel drive car. In situations of heavy over-steering the driver just should not overreact. Releasing the throttle and the steering wheel (i.e. do not force it) would allow the Carver One to seek its natural balance. Factors determining the tilt angle are the forces applied to the steering wheel and the front wheel. The tilt angle is adjusted automatically to ensure that there are no resulting forces on the front wheel. The mechanism is comparable to the dynamics of a motorcycle where the rider tries to establish this balance. In the Carver One this is taken care of by the hydraulics.

1 How many models are available?

We currently have one model available: the Carver One. Its standard equipment includes a removable hardtop roof in body colour, double 5-spoke alloy wheels , 3-spoke sports leather-covered steering wheel, black sports interior, electric windows, design aluminium dashboard and gear lever knob, 4 instruments (engine temperature, fuel gauge, speedometer & odometer and rev counter, dashboard 'carving' LED indicators with audible signal, built-in class III remote control alarm system incl. remote control power door lock, heating / ventilation / windshield defroster, front and rear seatbelts, black carpet with Carver logo, ash tray/cup holder, 12 V socket and tyre repair kit.

 2 What are the options?

You can find a list of currently available options and accessories in the Carver One section: metallic exterior paint or special colours, leather or suede-effect interior upholstery, rear spoiler, roll-up soft top, shadow or high power wheel packs, additional dashboard instruments, radio/CD/MP3, navigation, custom-made luggage bag and engine tuning... If you want any other options, just ask. We will be happy to discuss and evaluate any special requirements you may have.

3 Which exterior colours are available?

We have a whole range of standard colours available. The basic palette is white, yellow and blue. As an option, we further have 8 metallic colours, a solid colour and 4 special colours available. If you don't find your choice in this palette, no problem: the Carver One can come in any manufacturer colour or custom colour of choice (option).

4 How many persons can travel in a Carver One?

The Carver One is a two-seater. Driver and passenger are seated in a tandem seat arrangement. 5 Is there room for any luggage?

It is not exactly a removal van; there are easier ways to move the settee. But, yes, there is some storage space on the parcel shelf and we have a custom-made luggage bag (+/- 20 L) which can be fitted underneath the spoiler. And if you get to travel by yourself, the passenger seat is also available for your luggage.

6 Can the Carver One tow a trailer?

The Carver One did not receive type approval for towing a trailer.

7 Does the Carver One have air conditioning?

The current Carver One comes with heating, but no air conditioning. Space being limited, there are no air conditioning systems that would actually fit, all existing systems requiring modification. The absence of air conditioning has not been an obstacle for our current users, some of whom live in the UAE. For European summers, the electric windows, removable hard-top and roll-on soft-top have proven to be quite adequate. This being said, we will be providing air conditioning in the future and we expect to be able to offer it by 2007.

8 Does the Carver One have heating?

Indeed, the Carver One is standard equipped with heating and ventilation and windshield defroster. It does not have seat heating.

9 What about drink holders?

The Carver One is equipped as standard with an ashtray that can be used as a drink holder.

10 Can the Carver One be adapted to meet special needs?

The Carver One having regular car controls, in principle, some of the adaptations available for an ordinary car could be applied to the Carver One as well. Unfortunately, we cannot implement these adaptations ourselves, but we do have contacts with specialised firms. The current Carver One has a manual gearbox. At some point in time we will be launching an automatic/cvt version which may help accommodate some of the adaptations required by disabled drivers. Every disability is different, so if you have any questions regarding special adaptations, just contact us. We will be happy to verify what can be done.

 11 Is there a right hand drive version available?

The Carver One is neither right nor left hand drive. However, the controls are laid out as though sitting in a left hand drive vehicle, just as in a Formula 1 race-car. The single door is on the left hand side.

12 Does the speedometer indicate miles per hour?

The speedometer for the UK version of the Carver One has a double indication, i.e. kph as well as mph.

13 When will the automatic version be available?

We currently expect to be able to offer an automatic version by the end of 2006/early 2007.

14 Have you considered using alternative energy plants such as hydrogen or fuel cells? What about an electric version?

While we definitely recognise the ecological benefits of using alternative power, for the time being there are no concrete plans to develop an electric or hybrid version. However, we keep close track of all technical developments. After all, ecological concerns sparked the development of the Carver One's predecessors. Once these alternative fuel technologies are ‘market ready’ and technically suitable for the Carver One, we will seriously consider including them in a next generation model of the Carver. For the moment enjoy the low fuel consumption that the Carver One offers; modest indeed for a petrol driven vehicle.

15 What are the specifications of the Carver One with the tuned engine (ECU tuning to 85 bhp)?

The ECU tuning increases the power from 68 bhp (50 kW) at 6,000 rpm to 85 bhp (62 kW) at 6,400 rpm and maximum torque from 100 Nm (74 lb.ft) at 3,200 rpm to 117 Nm (86 lb.ft) at 3,600 rpm. We have not yet tested the impact on key performance data (acceleration, top speed etc). As soon as we have these data available, we will post them on our website.

1 How does the automatic tilting system work?

By using the advanced Dynamic Vehicle Control (DVC™) system, a mechanical-hydraulic system that distributes the driver’s input or steering torque between the front wheel steering angle and the cockpit tilt angle. This distribution is automatically adjusted to varying speeds and road conditions to ensure an optimal balance at all times. At lower speeds < 10 km/h (6 mph), when standing still or in reverse, the steering torque is directed to the front wheel angle and the passenger compartment remains upright. At higher speeds the steering torque is mainly directed to the tilt angle of the cockpit and rear wheel steering. All the driver has to do is steer in the desired direction.

If you want to know more: visit the download section of the Carver Engineering website (www.carver-engineering.com/downloads).

2 What is the fuel consumption?

Despite its sporty power to weight ratio the Carver One has modest fuel consumption. Estimated average is 6L/100 km (1:16 or 45 UK mpg or 40 US mpg).

 3 How does having your tri-wheel configuration with one wheel up front improve the car's handling? Doesn't friction increase more on the front train when in curves?

For non-tilting vehicles a minimum wheel track width is required to balance the overturning roll torque while cornering. Because the Carver One banks (leans inward) when cornering, there is no 'overturning torque' on the wheels and the resultant forces always pass through the centre-line of the vehicle. This is exactly what happens when a motorcycle takes a corner.

For a normal (non-tilting) trike for example, the usual layout is with the two wheels up front because the most extreme loading occurs when the driver brakes in the corners. In such situations it is important to have the largest roll stiffness up front. This 'rule', however, does not apply to the Carver One.

For a car, the cornering behaviour is largely determined by the weight shift to the wheels at the outside of the curve. For a car to corner better, one would need to put the centre of mass as low as possible (to reduce the weight shift) and also have a stiffer suspension so the outer wheels could better handle the additional loading.

Because the Carver One is always balanced while cornering, there is no such load shift to the outside of the curve and therefore it is not a limiting factor that there is only one wheel at the front.

4 Why not use a motorcycle engine?

The Carver One being handled like a car, we need the entire drive-train of a car. It would be difficult to connect a motorcycle engine to the drive-train of a car. The development of a new drive-train and differential for a motorcycle engine would require considerable effort. Also, the complete drive-train (engine + gearbox + differential) of a car is very compact, much more compact than a specially designed drive-train with a motorcycle engine would be. Space being limited, this is certainly an aspect we need to consider.

5 Is there enough room for tall people?

We have catered for quite tall people. Our current record is 2.05 m (6 ft. 8 in.) A lot depends on the ratio leg length/upper body length. It is easier to accommodate longer legs as we can shift the driver's seat back, impacting, however, the space available for the passenger.

6 Are there any restrictions with regards to the weight of driver/passenger?

Total weight of driver and passenger should not exceed 200 kg (440 lb.).

7 What if the hydraulics fail?

The Dynamic Vehicle Control (DVC™) system is essentially a hydraulic-mechanical system. Hydraulic failure is detected by a custom designed valve which ensures the cockpit of the Carver One returns to its upright position. This feature is powered by the oil pressure in the hydraulic accumulator. This safety feature also ensures the Carver One stays upright when it is parked. When the DVC™ system fails, the steering becomes extremely heavy as the tilting mechanism is inactive. The driver immediately notices a change in the vehicle’s response / behaviour allowing him/her to take appropriate measures.

8 When the Carver One is parked, can it topple / be pushed over?

The hydraulic-mechanical system is locked when the Carver One is parked. It cannot topple over and it cannot be pushed over. To allow maintenance (access to the engine) or to impress your little nephew, the Carver One can be put in maintenance position, i.e. tilted 45 degrees, by operating the hydraulic valve. This valve is not easily accessible (to discourage practical jokes) and requires a special key.

 9 How is the brake balance? What about ABS?

The Carver One has a two-way braking system, i.e. with a separate hydraulic system for the front wheel and a separate system for the rear wheels. In the factory the brake balance is tuned to obtain the perfect balance between front-wheel and rear-wheel braking. There is no ABS available.

10 How does the Carver One perform in crash tests? What are its safety features?

The Dutch Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) executed several crash simulations. However, there are no special crash tests developed for three-wheel vehicles and car crash tests cannot be copied exactly. It is therefore difficult to obtain comparable data. The Carver One is much safer than a motorbike and as safe as a small car.

The steel cage construction offers safety protection, as do the seat belts. The safety measurements are comparable to those of a racing car where safety is also provided by a rigid casing and seat belts. The chassis was designed and its rigidity determined with the aid of crash test simulations and CAD/FEM analysis.

Carver One - regulatory

1 Has the Carver One been road approved?

The Carver One has obtained a full EU type road approval certificate. It can be used in all European countries and countries accepting the EU type approval. Various initiatives to obtain certification outside Europe have been launched. Preparations to obtain road approval in the USA for example are well underway. We expect to be able to provide detailed information by June/July 2006.

2 What type of licence plate will I receive with the Carver One?

For tax reasons, the Carver One is classified as a motorcycle (or trike) in most countries.

In most EU countries the Carver One receives a licence plate with the same format and numbering as a car. In Belgium, however, the Carver One comes with a motorcycle licence plate.

3 What driver's licence do I need to drive a Carver One?

In Europe, a car driver's licence is required to drive a Carver One. In the USA most states require either a car licence or a motorcycle licence.

4 Do I need to wear a helmet in the Carver One?

In Europe neither the driver nor the passenger needs to wear a helmet or protective clothing. The enclosed cabin, safety chassis and seat belts provide ample protection.

Carver One - pricing, availability and ordering

1 Is the Carver One already for sale and what would be the delivery time?

The Carver One is commercially available indeed! In 2003 the first exclusive series of hand-made Carvers was manufactured. These vehicles sold out rapidly and were shipped to various enthusiastic owners throughout the world. Tweaked and fine-tuned to perfection, the Carver One is now ready for the road.

Production of the first of a limited edition of 500 hand-crafted Carver Ones is expected to start in spring 2006, with first deliveries expected for June 2006. You can order now to secure your position in the order book as production and delivery will be on a ‘first ordered - first served’ basis. Once production is up and running, elapsed time between finalisation of your order and delivery of your Carver One is 10 to 12 weeks. If you were to order now (May), delivery would be expected for (end of) third quarter 2006.

Regarding the availability of the Carver One in the North American (USA and Canada) market: for the Carver One to be exportable to the USA or Canada, we need to use a different engine. For the time being we prefer to hold on to a cautious timing of end of 2006… Nevertheless, clients can already put their names on a waiting list as our US distributor is already taking preliminary order deposits.

2 How much does the Carver One cost?

In Europe, the Carver One (European specifications) is available from 29,950 euros (ex works). A Carver One full option (metallic exterior, leather/alcantara interior trim, spoiler, shadow wheel pack, turbo meter, radio/CD/MP3 type C, navigation, soft top, luggage bag, engine tuning) is available from 37,560 euros (ex works) (European specifications - prices valid until 31 December 2006).

Please contact your local distributor for the correct price for registration in your country.

If you want to register the Carver One in a country where we have not yet appointed a distributor, please contact Carver Europe for the correct price.

3 How can I place an order?

If you would like to buy a Carver One, please contact your local distributor.

If you want to register the Carver One in a country where we have not yet appointed a distributor, please contact us via sales@carver-europe.com. You can also call us on +31 78 618 30 66 or send a fax to +31 78 654 91 99. We will then send you an application form and more details.

4 Is it possible to lease a Carver One?

For the time being Carver Headquarters cannot offer or recommend any interesting lease programmes, but we are working on it.

5 Is the Carver One available as a kit?

The Carver One is not available as a self-build kit. Neither the building process nor the technologies used lend themselves to DIY kits. Also, the cost benefit would be marginal. Therefore it does not really make sense to offer such kits.

6 When will 'mass production' start?

For the time being we would like to consider the Carver One to be a hand-made specialty item, i.e. an exclusive limited series. The Carver One will only be made in volumes of 500 vehicles per year. To build the next generation Carver in higher annual volumes requires significant additional investment and R&D.; When this will or could happen is yet unknown. 7 Servicing and spares?

Your local dealer/distributor will take care of spare-parts and servicing. Carver Europe guarantees the supply of spare-parts for 10 years. In the absence of a distributor for your country, servicing and maintenance can be arranged through Carver Europe.

8 Where and how can I make a test drive?

Of course you can put the Carver One to the test before or after placing your order. Contact your local distributor to make an appointment.

9 Where can I get more information about the Carver One?

You can contact us by telephone or fax or send an e-mail via the contact form on our website.

10 What do I have to do to become a distributor / dealer?

If you want to become a dealer in a country in which we have already appointed a distributor, please contact our distributor directly.

If you want to become a distributor or dealer for a country or region for which we have not yet appointed anyone, please contact our commercial director, E. Blomsma via e.blomsma@carver-europe.com, providing him with sufficient background information about yourself and your network.

11 Is Carver a publicly traded company?

Carver Europe ('Carver') is not yet listed on any stock exchange.

Upcoming events

We look forward to meeting you at one of the several trade shows and events at which we regularly participate to promote the Carver One. We have currently scheduled participation to the following events:

22 - 28 May 2006                        UK Motorexpo 2006 see www.motorexpo.co.uk

25 - 28 May 2006                         France Present at the Monaco Grand Prix

4 - 5 June 2006                            Germany Carver One Presentation at the Air show Airfield
                                                   Niershorst, Grefrath, (NRW)

17 - 18 June 2006                         France Parade at the 24 hours of le Mans

June 2006                                    USA Carver One track experience at NHIS Loudon, New
                                                   Hampshire

7-9 July 2006                                UK Goodwood Festival of Speed see www.goodwood.co.uk/fos/

20-30 July 2006                            UK British International Motor Show see
                                                   www.britishmotorshow.co.uk

13 - 18 September 2006                 France Salon Nautique in Cannes

30 September - 15 October  2006    France Salon Automobile de Paris

More information about other events will follow. Visit our website (www.carver-europe.com) for the latest information.