T2 takes shape

Deakin’s T2 is one step closer to becoming a reality, with the design being built into a life sized model. Deakin’s answer to the Ford Global Challenge - to design a Model-T for the 21st Century - was chosen as one of two designs showcased by Ford in Detroit for the centenary celebrations of the Model-T.

The T2 runs on compressed air (with some compressed natural gas support for longer distance travel). It incorporates safety proven lightweight materials in which Deakin is an acknowledged world leader. With three wheels, it can turn 360° on itself, making inner city parking easy. It has been designed for inner city use, for the large metropolises of Shanghai and Mumbai. 

The life size mock-up model, funded by the Victorian Government (DIIRD), was created (with kind assistance from C5 Systems, McDowell and Venn the Fibreglass men, and Soldani Bros.) for Victoria’s Automotive week, and was on show at the careers section of the Melbourne Motorshow.  The next part of the car’s journey is to build an actual working prototype for the Shanghai World Expo 2010.  The working prototype is expected to cost $1.5 million, so here is hoping that the team can raise the money.

Deakin University was the only Australian university and one of only six worldwide invited to participate in the Challenge, part of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the fabled Model T, the car that changed the 20th Century. The new Model T design aims to be universally affordable and could, if produced, retail for under A$9,000.