Each of the four wheels contains an electric motor, drive train, suspension and steering and braking mechanisms.
He said the car will be rear-wheel-drive with optional all-wheel-drive, and its steering controls will feel like a spaceship.
The forthcoming Porsche 918 Spyder, an $846,000 gasoline-electric hybrid supercar with all-wheel drive and 4-wheel steering, scheduled to arrive at dealers next year, is what can happen when management lets its white-coated geniuses run loose.
With up to 300 horsepower and, eventually, four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering, the 3000 GT was a revelation to Eurocar devotees.
The result of the design is a versatile research vehicle with a diesel engine, hydraulic transmission, four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering.
This is a 271-horsepower version of the stock Lancer that sells for $30,000, is faster to 60 mph (5.1 seconds versus 5.5 for the 350Z), has all-wheel drive, exquisite steering and road-feel, and by nearly all quantitative measures outstrips the Z on sheer performance.
But the drive-by-wire throttle, and the scarier drive-by-wire braking and steering on the drawing boards, should be scrapped.
The Ventrac, which starts at about $20,000, is a sweet little number: all-wheel hydrostatic drive, power steering and a 28-inch turning radius.
Now drive the car very sportingly and steering gets ultrasensitive darting feel from the rubber on the wheels right up to your hands.
