Full tilt - Carver One - #Blogpost by Roadster (Otaku)

The Carver is a Dutch car/motorcycle thing made by Carver Europe (also known as Vandenbrink. It combines the comfort and controls of a car and the handling dynamics of a motorcycle. It drives on three wheels, and can be driven by anyone with a regular car driving license while being taxed as a motorcycle.
It’s 3,4 meters long, 1,3 meters wide and 1,4 meters high, and weighs about 640kg. The Carver can tilt up to 45 degrees, and this is not based on steering angle, but on how much force is applied to the steering wheel.

The Carver is propelled by a 660cc inline four engine, producing 65hp and 100nm of torque. An option was available to boost the power up to 85hp, however this option was never released. Power is sent through a five speed manual gearbox. 100kmph is reached in 8.2 seconds and it’s top speed is 185kmph. The Dynamic Vehicle Control system is responsible for the tilting, and gives full stability under every circumstances, plus a natural steering behaviour.

The Carver was featured in various TV shows, with one of them being Top Gear. Jeremy Clarkson said the following about it:

I have to say, absolute hand on heart, I’ve never had so much fun in a car, really and truthfully, and I don’t think I’d ever tire of it.

He later announced the car the car as “The most fun you can have” in a special video. Jenson Button also tested the Carver in 2004, and according to him its the weirdest thing he had driven. The cars also appeared with paintball guns and celebrities in the driving seat in the television show ‘The Race’, aired on Sky Three.

Production was stopped in 2009 due to bankruptcy of Carver Europe. There was insufficient demand for it at the €30.000 price mark. There are only 24 Vandenbrink Carvers and less than 200 Carver Ones around the world. Although they’re pretty rare, there is still an active owners club for the Carvers

However, there is a modified version of the Carver, the PAL-V ONE. Also made by a Dutch company, this gyrocopter that’s also able to be driven as a car, with the same driving mechanism as the Carver. The propellor blades can be folded when going onto the road, and the engine can power both the wheels and propellors. It can travel at 180kmph on both land and in air, and can carry a maximum of 910kg. Want one? Prices start at €499.000,- excluding taxes for the Liberty Pioneer edition, of which 90 will be made and delivered in 2018. Can’t afford it? No worries, since the Liberty Sport will be cheaper at the base price of €299.000,- excluding taxes.