CAR IN MOTION; DRIVER; SHOT FROM CAR SHOWING VISIBILITY ALONG ROAD; CAR PARKS; GIRLS APPROACH CAR; DRIVER BECKONS GIRLS; GIRLS INTO CAR; CAR AWAY; ENGINE; SEATS AND CONTROLS IN CAR; CAR TURNS IN ROAD.




Initials


EDITORS NOTE: THIS FILM IS EMBARGOED UNTIL MIDNIGHT 9 APRIL, 1968:

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A TOTALLY NEW DESIGN IS INCORPORATED IN THE QUASAR-UNIPOWER CITY CAR WHICH WILL SHORTLY BE ON THE MARKET IN BRITAIN. THE THEME IS COMPACTNESS, BUT SEATING IS AVAILABLE FOR FOUR OR FIVE PERSONS WITH COMPLETE TRANSPARENCY FOR ALL-ROUND VISIBILITY.

THE CAR IS CONSTRUCTED ALMOST ENTIRELY OF TRIPLEX SAFETY GLASS AND GIVES UNRIVALLED VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. IN ORDER TO AVOID POSSIBLE DISCOMFORT FROM BRIGHT SUNLIGHT, THE GLASS IS TREATED TO AVOID EXCESSIVE HEAT.

THE ORIGINAL IDEA WAS TO PRODUCE AN ELECTRIC CAR, BUT THE SIZE OF BATTERIES NEEDED TO PROVIDE A RANGE OF 75 TO 100 MILES PER DAY WOULD HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVE.

THE 1,000 cc PETROL-FUELLED B.M.C., AUTOMATIC POWER UNIT IS POSITIONED TRANSVERSELY AT THE REAR, GIVING A TURNING CIRCLE OF ONLY 18 FEET (5.5 METRES).

ALTHOUGH UNUSUAL IN APPEARANCE, THE CITY CAR HAS BEEN POWERED AND GEARED TO REACH A MAXIMUM SPEED OF 50 MPH (80.5 KPH).

THE FIVE DOORS ARE ALL GLASS APART FROM THEIR METAL FRAMES, AND IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT ALL THE GLASS SHATTERS INTO A MASS OF PARTICLES WHICH HAVE BLUNTED EDGES.

IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE CITY CAR WILL HAVE MANY APPLICATIONS OUTSIDE CITIES, SUCH AS VIP TRANSPORT, INTERNAL WORKS TRANSPORT, RESORTS AND HOLIDAY CAMPS, STATELY HOMES AND AIRPORTS.