Trog Vehicle (1993)

DESCRIPTION: A concept study for an amphibious 4WD recreational vehicle. Conceived in a side experiment in connection with the Sensitivity Engineering Research Group for Product Development sponsored by Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry. In a team of four, two architects would design vehicles and two car designers would design residences.

CONCEPT: A light space truss frame is mounted in the middle to hinge points in a front-and-rear fully independent heavy-duty suspension system. Body is basically open with removable canvas roof, all doors watertight from below when shut. The single front driver's seat folds up for rear access, but main access is by frontal door opening directly forward. Seats 7 total, or sleeps 5 in fold-out cots. Double stick steering is switchable from front and rear rack & pinnion at all speeds or clutch & brake steering at low gears (drive rotation direction independently switchable for right and left sides). The diesel engine compartment is sealed underneath, cooled and vented by snorkel. In addition to 4WD the drive train powers front and rear winches and rear retractable propeller for amphibious activity. Prop housing can be rotated for steering in water and connects to double stick. Other features: GPS monitor, onboard computer, wireless, 100V power inverter, shower heat exchanger, air compressor, optional storage lockers or hard rubber snow & mud tracks.

DESIGN TEAM: Conceptual design for this vehicle: architect A. Scott Howe. Other design team members: architectural designer Yujiro Ike, with car designers Hiroshi Tsusaki and Akinori Okumura from Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.

DATE: Summer 1993.

STATUS: Only design steps were taken.

A Scott Howe, PhD