This car shown here can perhaps be considered as one of the strangest in terms of appearance alone that’s ever been shared on RareCarsOnly. This interesting looking yellow machine was created by a Denmark-based company known as Toria Auto AS. This is the 1998 Toria Connector 2001, a Danish prototype vehicle which features solar panels that are used to power the car up to 5-8000 miles per year, paired with a bio-diesel engine which can be utilized for longer distance driving. The Connector 2001 was constructed using plastic materials, which resulted in an overall light weight structure, making it considerably less heavy than most of today’s automobiles despite it’s size. The main purpose behind building this unique looking machine was to demonstrate the capability of driving short distance using energy from solar cells, and longer distance traveling using energy supplemented by the small Diesel engine. The design is distinctive due to the need to generate sufficient electric power, and consists of of an easy, safe, and comfortable 3+3 station wagon style design. The entire body is built using just 6 total parts, and the material is fiberglass-reinforced thermoplastic, and the interior offers some futuristic technologies such as a PC computer, and a HUD (heads up display). Recently the car has been spotted at the Danish Museum of Science and Technology. The Connector 2001 project was funded by several private and public agencies, and this bright yellow contraption did have some potential in terms of it’s solar technology, however, the project never advanced further than the conceptual stage of development and we were left with only one singular Connector 2001!
How many made? 1
Engine: Solar panels + a bio-diesel engine
Debut: n/a
Top Speed: 80mph (claimed)
0-60mph: n/a
Photo Credit: @allcarindex (allcarindex.com), Toria (Denmark), Danmarks Tekniske Museum
Research: @rarecarsonly