The heart of the 2010 MDI AIRPod is a piston engine that has been specially adapted by MDI to run on compressed air. The expansion of the compressed air within the cylinders moves the pistons. The engine is “fueled” by a system of high-pressure air tanks. Built by EADS, an aerospace firm, the tanks are constructed of lightweight carbon-fiber. Though the tanks are presently limited to a capacity of 80 liters (21.1 gallons) at 200 bars of pressure (2,900 psi), MDI plans an increase to 200 liters (53 gallons) and 300 bars of pressure (4,400 psi, which is actually substantially less than the 10,000-psi rating of hydrogen tanks used in fuel-cell vehicles) for the first production models of the AIRPod, set to be built by the end of this year.
Running on Air
A flick of a switch and the 2010 MDI AIRPod fires to life. The engine is mounted in the center of the car, beneath the seats, emitting a friendly tappa-tappa-tappa that's more John Deere than Millennium Falcon. The tiny 180cc, two-cylinder engine is rated at 5.4 horsepower and 11 pound-feet of torque with 261 psi of air pressure. An MDI spokesperson explains to us that upgrades will also boost power for the upcoming AIRPod GT model to 6 kW — still just 8 hp.
One thing you won't find in an AIRPod is a steering wheel. Steering is controlled by a joystick mounted on the right armrest of the driver seat. Acceleration and braking were originally supposed to be controlled by this stick, but MDI confided that the system proved awkward to use. Small aluminum gas and brake pedals now sprout from the floor. A small instrument panel with displays for speed and driving range is planned, but, like the forthcoming acoustic insulation around the engine, had not been fitted to this prototype.
Air Power Goes Global
In Europe, a fleet of one dozen 2010 MDI AIRPods is already set to serve as passenger and cargo shuttles in cooperation with Air France and KLM airlines. The first delivery occurred within days of our test-drive, and MDI workers were busy constructing the other AIRPods that will participate in this six-month trial at Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris and Schipol airport in Amsterdam.
MDI confirms that similar arrangements are under discussion with governments, private companies and universities around the world. This includes the U.S. — though MDI remains tight-lipped about specifics. One matter the company did clarify was an erroneous report that its air-powered vehicles could arrive in America by the end of the year. The U.S. remains a top priority, according to MDI, but sales there remain three to four years into the future.
MDI has already licensed its air-power technology to Indian carmaker Tata Motors. Ratan Tata, CEO of Tata Motors and the Tata Group, recently reaffirmed his company's commitment to zero-emissions vehicles, including electrics and air power. However, MDI says that its agreement limits sales of any air-powered Tata vehicle to India only.
In Europe, commercial sales of the AIRPod are scheduled to begin in France by the end of this year. The starting price of €6,000 ($8,380) will be nearly halved, thanks to various bonuses and green-car sales incentives awarded by the government. By the end of 2010, MDI hopes to begin production of larger and more refined models like the OneFlowAIR convertible. The company also claims that air-power engines are scalable, meaning that air-powered sedans, trucks and even buses are on the drawing board.
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