Redesigned Batmobile has an intimidating look, the heart of a tank and, oh, yeah -- it's a hybrid.

By Eric Mayne / The Detroit News


Batmobile specs

Engine: 5.7-liter Chevy V-8 (jet engine simulated by hot-air balloon burner)

Output: 340-horsepower

0-60: 5 sec. (approx.)

Width: 9 ft, 4 in.

Length: 15 ft.

Weight: 2.5 tons

Cost: $500,000 (estimated)


The Batmobile, a car buff's ultimate dream machine, has been redesigned for "Batman Begins" -- the latest installment of the movie franchise, which hits movie screens Wednesday.

This is definitely not your father's Batmobile. Gone are the clean lines and sleek profile that inspired generations of caped crusader fans. The new Batmobile is all business, from its menacing face to its 44-inch off-road rear tires.

And in keeping with the times, the new design is a hybrid -- though not the fuel-stingy, gasoline-electric variety currently coveted by car-buyers. The Batmobile's 5.7-liter Chevy V-8 is mated to a jet engine that enables the car to leap tall buildings in a ... wait, that's another superhero.

The Batmobile is on display today at the Star Southfield movie theater complex as Warner Brothers revs up its publicity machine for the movie's debut.

During a sneak preview of the vehicle Sunday, most theater-goers recognized it as Batman's ride -- despite the radical new design.

But not all were impressed. Seven-year-old Brianna Kennedy of Southfield said she preferred her family's Ford Explorer.

Her father, however, had other ideas. "I'd have fun driving her to school in that," said Brian Kennedy, 34. "It speaks to me. I like it."

"Batman Begins" producers call it a "sports tank," blending the sexiness of a high-performance car with the ruggedness of an SUV.

In the movie, the car is developed for military use by Gotham-based Wayne Enterprises. Called "The Tumbler," it is designed to move soldiers and equipment over hostile terrain -- hence its jet-powered jumping capability.

Working with director Christopher Nolan, production designer Nathan Crowley conceived the car's shape by combining scale models of Humvees and Lamborghinis. Professional car designers are impressed.

"I give the new Batmobile two thumbs up," said Patrick Schiavone, Ford Motor Co.'s director of car design. "The new Batmobile should be considered a character in the film, reflecting Chris Nolan's vision of a simpler, darker, more dramatic Batman."

Batman aficionado Bill Spencer also approves. Keeper of the Web site www.batmobilehistory.com., the resident of Hannacroix, N.Y., admits the 1966 Lincoln-based version and the 1989 Chevy/Oldsmobile iteration are sentimental favorites.

"As much as I like the polished look of the earlier Batmobiles, I appreciate the no-nonsense approach," Spencer said.

"From what I've seen of it in action, any aesthetic drawbacks are more than made up for by its performance."

Local NASCAR fans can see new Batmobile firsthand on Sunday, when it will serve as the pace car for the Batman Begins 400 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn.

Piloting the Batmobile will be Dave Ragan, a driver with Warner Bros.' transportation division. But for all intents and purposes, the 52-year-old California native is Bruce Wayne's mysterious alter ego.

"I am Batman," Ragan said Sunday only half-joking, as he unloaded The Tumbler Sunday.

Ragan is responsible for transporting the Batmobile around North America to promote the movie. As he drops into the driver's seat from the car's rooftop hatch, Ragan admits to harboring the occasional comic book fantasy and looks forward to testing it at Michigan International Speedway.

Track officials will dictate how fast he will navigate the two-mile oval. But the car was clocked at 105 mph during filming.

Eight Batmobiles were built for the movie. One was damaged en route to the set when it was struck by a drunk driver.

The summer movie season also features another high-profile car, the souped-up Volkswagen Beetle in "Herbie: Fully Loaded." And while the lightweight Love Bug may be faster, the Batmobile's front-mounted dual .50-caliber machine guns are a great equalizer.

"He might pass me, but that's it," Ragan said.

source : detnews

I still prefer the Maybach Exelero Coupe More pics welcome.

 

Under what conditions does it do a 5-second 0-60 time? The article doesn't say. For a 2.5 ton vehicle ( that's some 5000 lbs.) you would think it would need more than 340 HP for that kind of time. We know the jet engine is fake...the article states that. With that size Chevy engine ( 5.7 L ) and that HP figure I'm guessing around 350 ft.-lbs. of torque....still a little short for a 5000-lb. vehicle 0-60 time in 5 seconds. I'm assuming they ran it on a level surface with wind cancelled out. Perhaps they ran the test in very cold weather...which bumps up engine power substantially...or with way pumped-up tires lessening rolling friction.

 

It's just a movie

 

mm, I suspect we are dealing with artistic license here, the "suspension of disbelief" thing. Note that a thrust figure for the "jet engine" was not included. And I don't remember enough of my physics to determine what the number would need to be; probably not too high since we have Maybachs and Bentleys that wiegh as much and accelerate as well..................

 

The Maybachs & Bentleys are turbo charged & in the ~500 hp range.

 

Amethy has a point, though. When you deal with Hollywood you can expect to see almost anything...true or not.

 

The point wasn't about engine displacement or FA/NA but rather that it would not take a tremendous amount of thrust from the "jet engine" added to the quoted 340 hp from the 350 cube Chevy V8 to achieve those numbers.

And, it IS Hollywood, too...................as we both stated (in different ways), it's only a movie..............

 

here's some night pics,DAMN it is rugged!!!!

 

I don't get it................... big *** mickey thompsons in the front and mudders out back.

WTF kind of terrain is Batman driving on? Asphalt that turns to mud after the fronts roll over it?

 

the funniest thing ever.


the designers showed this concept to American motor companies.


they all shook their heads and said "can't be done if we got no front axle"

so it's made in the UK.