MTA brings futuristic concept car to its centenary

MTA brings futuristic concept car to its centenary

For the first time, one of the world-renowned futuristic Rinspeed concept cars, will be displayed in New Zealand. The Rinspeed Budii is being showcased by MTA as part of its public centenary celebrations in Wellington in April.

The electric, autonomous Rinspeed Budii has featured at the Geneva Motor Show, the Shanghai Motor Show and CES Las Vegas. It is one of the world’s most technologically advanced cars and has been designed to show just how the relationship between cars and humans could evolve.

“We are very privileged to have been entrusted with this incredible vehicle by its makers, the Swiss company Rinspeed. They have never displayed one of their concept cars in Australasia and it has been lent to us for our centenary 28-30 April,” said MTA Chief Executive Craig Pomare. The centenary event will be held at Wellington’s TSB Bank Arena and car park and over 150 the country’s latest, greatest and most iconic cars will make up a unique display.

Rinspeed head Frank M. Rinderknecht says the Budii is designed to evolve. “In the future, cars will do just as we do: they will keep learning every day, and as a result will get better and better at mastering the complex challenges of modern-day private transport.” To this end, Budii will take information from its surroundings, its own ‘experiences’ and those of other vehicles along its route into consideration. The long-term result will be a cognitive and intuitive autopilot.”

The MTA100 celebrates the century since a group of Manawatu garage owners first got together in Feilding to set up a motor retailers association. It also celebrates the love affair New Zealanders have with their cars.

Photo op: Midday TSB Bank Arena under the sails. Three of the cars for the event will be lined up:

• a 1931 Hispano Suiza – it’s first owner was the Shah of Persia, now restored by its custodian, Upper Hutt MTA member Bristol Motors,

• a BMW i3 supplied by Brendan Foot Motors

• a Tesla S supplied by the Better New Zealand Trust which will have this car and several other electric cars available for the public to try out at the MTA100.

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