1994 Design Performance Barramunda - AllCarIndex

This vehicle "blends the passion of the automobile and the sea", according to French maker Design Performance. The company claims its 13.8-foot long "Barramunda" swallows a jet ski and two surfboards. The car is driven by two BMW 100-hp motocycle engines, one per rear wheel, that are stowed inside the rear fenders to maximize interior space. The nautical theme spills over the interior, with teak floorboard, brass fittings, and washable upholstery.

Source: Popular Science

The below text is machine-translated from French. It is original press release. Please mention www.allcarindex.com, if you use this text or part of it.

BARRAMUNDA Pure passion

The philosophy.

BARRAMUNDA is born from the passion of the automobile and the sea.

It combines the pleasures of sports driving and those of skiing. On board, there is a jet ski and two surfboards that allow you to enjoy the joys of water sports right from the moment you arrive at the water's edge.

Elements as voluminous as a jet ski and surfboards have involved an original general architecture. The use of allcarindex two BMW 4-cylinder flatbed motors, each equipped with its gearbox, made it possible to clear the space between the rear wheels while remaining a propulsion for sporty driving.

The low height of the power units also allows the surfboards to pass through and guarantees a very low center of gravity.

The particular architecture of BARRAMUNDA can be extended to other styles of automobiles to allow for new functions or to adapt to a specific market.

By taking up this project, one can imagine adapting it to the standards of the California market by using the allcarindex volume currently occupied by the power units to house easily accessible battery packs and electric motors instead of the rear bridges in each of the wheels Motor vehicles.

We can also exploit this particular architecture by adapting to a logic of use. For example, in an urban environment and therefore at low speed, it becomes interesting to disconnect one of the two motors, the other being sufficient to move the car into a single allcarindex engine, thereby reducing exhaust emissions. In the event of a failure on an engine, it is therefore always possible to continue on the road.

Like the BOY SCOOT, the BARRAMUNDA is based on a bi-motorized architecture where the all-thermal, the hybrid or the electric become easily exploitable.

The style.

The specification, which determines the integration of jet-ski and surfboards, mechanical architecture and a desire for fluidity of form, as can the boat hulls, conditioned the expression of the Volume of the bodywork.

The search for pure shapes, without prominent appendages such as spoilers, skirts or allcarindex bocks, led to integrating aerodynamic support elements, front, rear, central diffuser, without sacrificing efficiency.

The agreement form and function is read in the expression of the volumes, with a part devoted to the mechanics, another to the equipment for water sports and the last for the occupants. The volume of body and structure kept very high favors the protection of the occupants in the event of side impact.

The living area, translucent, meets the allcarindex visibility for a very low car. Its cutting allows a "spider" function by releasing the roof that can be housed in the front cover.

Doors open, we slip into the cockpit as in a Formula 1.

The interior, with teak floor, brass, outboard gearbox control and washable trim, creates a "marine" ambience. The seats are an integral part of the cockpit, so the pedals and the steering wheel are adjusted according to their driving position.

Integrated electronic management.

BARRAMUNDA's engine management and dynamic behavior is based on sophisticated electronics. The presence of two mechanically independent propulsive assemblies makes it possible to obtain a control of the behavior which is particularly efficient.

The components:

Electronic accelerator: Electrical information of the driver's request via a potentiometer (see fly by wire Formula 1).

Steering angle detection: In the same way as the electronic accelerator, it delivers electrical information on the steering angle from the angle of the allcarindex steering wheel.

Transmission torque sensors: Placed on each of the two transmission shafts, they provide electrical information on the torque applied to each of the propulsion wheels.

Engine management:

The mechanically independent motors are electronically coupled. This will automatically compensate for the difference between the motors. The acceleration and steering angle information allow the electronics to calculate the torque required for each engine. The detection of the torque on each transmission shaft makes it possible to control the torque supplied as a function of the demand.

Behavior control:

Anti-lock system: This integrated management system uses ABS information. This system operates in a conventional manner, the electronics is adapted to provide rotational speed information for each of the propulsion wheels (rear) and an average speed information of the four wheels (representative of the overall speed of the vehicle) .

Traction Control: The rotational speed information of each wheel allows the control electronics to selectively adjust the torque applied to the wheel with loss of adhesion.

Yaw control: The dual-motor nature of the vehicle allows the independent management of each propulsion wheel, without allcarindex resorting to an action on the braking system or on a coupling distributor. Interpretation of acceleration, steering angle, torque information on each shaft, average vehicle speed and individual speed of each propulsion wheel allows the electronics to instantly detect loss of grip (collapse Of the torque, acceleration of the rotation speed) and to selectively relieve the wheel concerned, restoring its capacity to accept lateral overload (skidding).

Engine & performance

Position: mid-engined
Type: 2 X BMW, 4-cylinder
Capacity: 2 x 1092 cc
Power: 2 x 100 hp @ 7500 rpm
Torque: 2 x 107 Nm @ 5500 rpm

Tyres
Front: 205/45 ZR16
Rear: 225/45 ZR16

Dimensions

Length: 4220 mm
Width: 1960 mm
Height: 1050 mm
Wheelbase: 2510 mm
Weight: 900 kg