Brothers at the wheel

Founders Irving and Ivan Yuen have loved cars from when they were kids, and having a cousin who is a mechanic gave them ample opportunity to see first-hand what makes them run, and an appreciation of both the technology and the aesthetics of an automobile.

Now, they are the two Singaporean directors of Acceleron EDS, a homegrown company that aims to develop motor vehicles with green technologies that are practical and affordable.

Before you imagine huge auto plants in Singapore, let us be clear that the whole business model, indeed the whole world view of Acceleron EDS is not only global in its outlook, but puts environmental responsibility first and foremost.

It is a global enterprise that conceives its prototypes and develops the drive systems here, but will eventually build complete vehicles at various locations around the world.

With partners in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and South Korea, it leverages relevant expertise as well as ensures that their vehicles will meet road standards in each of their main target markets.

First up - a hybrid-electric sedan

The first prototype it plans to showcase in 2012 - five-seater sedan - will be powered solely by an electric motor, with a small engine-generator to recharge the batteries when required.

With the use of lightweight materials, a unique drive system design and management, the vehicle will be able to run predominantly on full electric mode and provide indefinite range when needed as long as there is sufficient fuel in the tank.

There have been recent hybrid and electric vehicles that have been seen on the roads here in Singapore, but for the most part, they aren't the most alluring statements of automotive design.

Beautiful, inside and out

"Design sells. It has to look like something you want to be seen in (but) it has to drive like a normal car," says Irving (pictured below, right).

With the need to accommodate an engine-generator, batteries and an electric motor, a car's weight is an important issue which means that the Acceleron models will rely heavily on aluminum and composite materials - which of course have to look aesthetically pleasing.

To that end, design work for the Acceleron models is being done in the UK, where there is a long history of advanced automotive design using cutting edge materials.

"We're passionate about our cars and the fact that they can positively impact the environment," adds Ivan.

"That's why we're starting on a clean slate and designing these vehicles from ground up to be accessible by the masses and to have all the conveniences of a regular vehicle and more ."

For inspiration, Acceleron EDS looks to Tesla Motors of the USA: a company that has built and brought to market a zero emission vehicle from scratch, with a product line that looks stunning.

Detroit on the Causeway? Maybe not, but certainly this looks like the first signs of a homegrown automotive industry in Singapore; one that is unburdened by traditional practices, technologies and business methods.