Leaders Council

In conversation with Michael Bond and the Leader’s Council.

Michael Bond, founder of Rumbler Cars and designer of the Rumbler Sport Tank speaks online with Scott Challinor of the London-based Leader’s Council on issues facing the state of business leadership in Britain and the future of the British economy in this time of deep economic, social and environmental crisis. Michael discusses his own vision for a new direction in innovation and investment in Britain, describing the need for a new agency that bridges gaps between conventional public and private sectors, a fourth sector he plans to establish, and the role the Rumbler Sport Tank will play in this ambitious vision of the future for Britain’s prosperity.

High Liner

A British Royal Yacht for the 21st Century

Michael Bond, designer of the luxury high performance Rumbler 505 Sport Tank supercar offers his own vision of a future 21st Century Royal Yacht in response to the issues raised by the British Prime Minister Mr Boris Johnson.

May 2021 and the British Prime Minister Mr Johnson promotes the idea of building a new Royal Yacht to show the world that Britain will continue to play a major role in the world economy. A showcase for British talent and a floating exhibition of the best of British engineering and design, the Royal Yacht would be a long term investment to help stimulate new trade around the world.

To support Mr Johnson in this ambition Michael Bond, designer of the Rumbler 505 Sport Tank, the high performance luxury sports car inspired by the superhero comicbook Batmobile, offers his own interpretation of such a Royal Yacht for the 21st Century: The High Liner superyacht.

High Liner

The High Liner is a bold, dramatic style that embodies recent innovations in hull design, luxuries for the most powerful royal personage in the world and a wide range of facilities for practicality and pleasure.

Able to stand on par with the scale and style of modern superyachts, the High Liner features the latest in X-Bow design for a smooth voyage across oceans and a spacious interior across several decks to deliver a wide range of accommodation, conference, exhibition and leisure facilities.

Like all superyachts the stern features an amply-equipped Beach Club opening from the sides and stern when at anchor. This gives ample additional space for any use the owner desires. Additional side hatches open for a visitors’ reception midships and larger access to a forward garage to carry everything needed for leisure, promotional demonstration of new products and active security for any Royal owner.

That owner can have one private deck to themselves, for their personal quarters and staff secured from the rest of the ship when required.

The top deck extends almost the whole length of the ship, providing ample space for outdoor activities, banquets, conferences or just a sun/sport deck for a private owner and guests. This is also the flight deck for a rear helipad and lift down into a modest hangar for upto five advanced helicopter designs that can be provided as part of the purchase package. At the bow the fight desk sweeps up a few degrees as a ski jump for micro jumpjets, drones or other specialist aircraft.

Midships, ascending from visitor reception up to the top deck is a broad viewing gallery and core atrium. This opens up the interior decks into a central space to enjoy the outside view in safety and comfort. This becomes a focal point for casual meetings and conversation, with space for terraced gardens and calming waterfall feature if desired. With a suitable interior this could also offer space for a theatre for lectures, conferences or entertainment.

Carbon-Neutral

Michael Bond’s work for the Rumbler Sport Tank is translated into the High Liner through the new hybrid carbon-neutral engine system. This aims to deliver more power-to-weight than conventional engines and drive the ship at higher speeds for sprints when needed using stern jets rather than propellers. The cleaner carbon-neutral engine technology inherent in this system has the potential to deliver a world export industry worth, in Michael’s estimation, many billions of pounds a year and thousands of British manufacturing jobs if fully approved by the government.

Hull Design and Options

The High Liner is designed to function as an expedition superyacht, capable of safe and comfortable exploration into arctic environments. This includes some ice breaker capability if any owner wishes to explore the most extreme frozen ends of the world. This is another reason for the extensive enclosure of the upper structure, insulated, air conditioned and hardened against extreme weather and sea conditions likely to be met anywhere in the world.

In designing the High Liner Michael Bond has considered the option of producing a limited edition set of several hulls and a series of customised designs of the upper structure to provide a unique experience and style for each owner. This allows the core design and construction costs to be distributed across a range of vessels for several customers, while sharing the core technology for ease of support.

The core design is also adaptable for military use, creating budget micro-aircraft carrier or long range high endurance patrol and survey vessels for other clients who want to take advantage of the High Liner.

Finance

The Prime Minister Johnson is proposing a £200 million cost for a future Royal Yacht. Michael Bond believes that this is far too inadequate for a true representation of British design and engineering excellence expressed in the High Liner if it is to compare well with the superyachts owned by other heads of state and private ultra-rich owners. However, by merging the High Liner into a series production of several ships for private and military/security clients and integrating the business model into the plans for the limited edition Sport Tank Michael believes it is possible to deliver the Royal Yacht, subject to British government approval, at substantially lower cost while creating and sustaining hundreds of jobs in British manufacturing.

Subject to approval, funding and the success of the development Michael has already identified a need for at least two High Liners to private clients with more likely to follow.

Press Information

If you wish to view and use the illustrations for press purposes suitable imagery is available here: GreyScale High Liner & Colour high Liner

Smart Motorway Survival

A tip for surviving a vehicle breakdown on Britain’s so-called “smart” motorways.

With huge fears over the safety of so-called “smart” motorways we need to be alert to every threat in case of breakdown. Here Michael Bond, founder of Rumbler Cars, offers some additional advice on how to keep yourself alive in the event you are trapped on these killer roads waiting for rescue.

If you can’t get out of the car safely then try this.


Subscribe to the newsletter for news and updates or contact Michael to discuss how to participate in the Rumbler Cars community.

Government Threatens Future of British Car Industry

Does the “Green” Government Threaten The Future of The British Car Industry?

In the last couple of weeks the British government have announced their plans to forbid further manufacture of motor vehicles with petrol, diesel and hybrid engines by 2035, or 2032, depending on the sources quoted.

Have they considered the effects of this plan?

Hear the thoughts from Michael Bond, Rumbler Cars founder and designer of the Rumbler Sport Tank.


Subscribe to the newsletter for news and updates or contact Michael to discuss how to participate in this great adventure.

Tesla Question

Did Elon Musk and Tesla Motors get the design inspiration for their CyberTruck from British designer Michael Bond’s Rumbler Sport Tank?

At the end of 2019 Tesla Motors launched their speculative concept design for the CyberTruck, complete with not-bulletproof windows. But one question that came up in certain quarters in England was – did Tesla get their inspiration from US? Did Tesla take ideas from Rumbler?

Let’s take a look at the two and then compare details.

Illustration of Rumbler versus Cybertruck

The wedge shape is apparent, and while the Rumbler aims to have real bulletproof windows for its VIP owners, the Tesla just has broken glass. That’s where the external comparison stops. The Tesla CyberTruck is promoted as just an electric pickup truck, the Rumbler is a Very Different beast. Here are the highlights.

IS it bulletproof?

Rumbler: Yes. Full protection for our VIP owners and superheroes against all those Jokers in the world.

Tesla: Obviously NOT, as clearly demonstrated by the inimitable Mr Musk himself on the day of the launch.

Is it wedge-shaped?

Rumbler: Yes. Because it looks amazing, awesome and great for deflection of bullets to protect our VIPs.

Tesla: Yes, but we have not idea why, it’s supposed to be a pickup truck, a more practical shape would have been the better choice.

IS it blastproof?

Rumbler: Yes. Our VIP protection extends to the body shape and structure to resist, deflect and diffuse the blastwaves of smaller to moderate-sized IEDs.

Tesla: Given the performance of the windows let’s say NO.

IS it practical off-road?

Rumbler: Yes. It has the same ground clearance ratio of height to wheelbase of a Range Rover, so that should suit most uses for chasing jokers through the night or escaping a zombie apocalypse/ LA traffic.

Tesla: Well, erm, it doesn’t look that practical, maybe good for a potter around the garden.

IS it comfortable?

Rumbler: Yes. It’s a luxury grand tourer wrapped in the shell of an armoured car. Should keep the zombies on the outside and you wrapped in comfort within.

Tesla: If you like that kind of thing.

Has it a good range?

Rumbler: Yes. Intended for long range safaris across deserts, steppe and more. Ideally, if you handle it well, should give you around 500-800 miles.

Tesla: It’s electric, they’re good for a couple of hundred miles, on a good day. And you can stop and enjoy the scenery while you recharge it, somewhere.

How big is it?

Rumbler: Bigger than a Range Rover. That’s the 2-seat version. The 4-seat version is bigger than that.

Two-Seat is:-
Width: 8′ 9″
Height: 5′ 9″
Length: 17′ 9″

Tesla: Yeah, that too.

Double-cab (5/6-seater?) is:-
Width: 6′ 7.8″
Height: 6′ 3″
Length: 19′ 11.7″

Is it environmentally friendly?

Rumbler: Yes, a veg/bio-fuelled hybrid with cleaner engine, cleaner exhaust, battery system, roof deck solar panels, and much more to-come. Use it anywhere in the world.

Tesla: It’s got batteries. That’s it.

It is stealth?

Rumbler: Yes. If you’re a superhero or VIP and need to escape and evade all those pesky jokers in the world this is the car for you. (Be careful out there.)

Tesla: No, it’s a pick up truck.

What’s the price?

Rumbler: If you have to ask the price you can’t afford it. But we both know you’re wealthy beyond dreams. Come and join us for your superhero adventure.

Tesla: $100 deposit, then add the price of a couple of Apple computers with all the options.

Do you have a big development team?

Rumbler: One man in England designed it all.

Tesla: Yes, the design team is amazing, look what they designed!

How much did it cost to develop ?

Rumbler: Thousands of pounds in English money. (Investors welcome to come and join.)

Tesla: Thousands of millions of dollars, can’t you see it in the design?

The Rumbler has been in development for several years as its creator Michael Bond worked alone to master the skills and prepare to raise the funds. Tesla in the meantime has access to thousands of millions of dollars in funding and a huge workforce.

If you dream of the ultimate superhero’s supercar then come and join Team Rumbler and share the adventure today, see the Membership link in the footer.

Green Invest

There is no climate change apocalypse, except in the hysteria of politicians, tabloid press and climate change activists.

While the United Nations holds another Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Mardrid, scientists, engineers and designers all around the world are working to solve the problems of climate change and avert future disaster.

You will not hear their voice from the wilderness as the world’s press attention focuses on a bunch of highly-paid diplomats, climate scientists and consultants talk a lot about the problems they’ve identified in their offices.

The world of scientists, engineers and designers are solving the challenges of climate change, but you will never hear of their work while this apocalyptic hysteria dominates the world political and public agenda.

Michael Bond’s work at Rumbler Cars was inspired by the Batmobile from the Dark Knight movies. His ambition is to create a bold and dramatic supercar that embodies new concepts in engine and hybrid power trains. Greater efficiency, lower pollution and other improvements will contribute to the transition for a healthier, saner and more prosperous world.

There is NO climate apocalypse, there IS The Rumbler 505 Sport Tank.

Join The Team, Share The Dream.

Remember Tommy

Michael Bond, Founder of Rumbler has worked with British war veterans and their families to launch a new awareness campaign.  “Remember Tommy” aims to raise awareness about the issues facing military veterans and their families throughout the country, and fill gaps in service and support to veterans.

After a conversation at the end of October 2018 with a local war veteran and discovering the tragic rate of suicide amongst young ex-service people, Michael was prompted to act and assemble the people for the campaign.  With the support of Manchester-based Galleon Studios Michael and a group of volunteer veterans and veterans’ families have produced a new promotional film to raise public awareness.

The long term ideal of the campaign focuses on complementing existing services and helping fill gaps in service and support to veterans and their families.  In conversations during this process Michael discovered that one vital need was for a signposting service to network and link all other groups and make it as easy as possible for those in need to reach the support available for them.  Michael hopes that he will be able to give more support to veterans and help create new services on the back of the launch and success of the Rumbler.

Watch the film “Remember Tommy” now:-

Autosport International 2019

A Unique Workshop:  The Batmobile for Real.
Innovation in Design to Revolutionize the Auto Industry.
How a new supercar can solve climate-change.

Michael Bond, designer of the Rumbler Sport Tank, the Batmobile for real, held a presentation to members of the automotive sector to explain the economic and environmental benefits of the Sport Tank’s new engine design.

Michael Bond presenting at Autosport International 2019.

Michael spoke about the origins of the concept for the Sport Tank, the Batmobile for Real, and how he sees it pushing the advancement of technology and increasing investment in the British high technology automotive sector.  Beyond this he explained the broader opportunity to stimulate growing investment in new technologies and innovative designs to deal with the problems of climate change throughout the world automotive industry.

The culmination of Michael’s solution is the proposition that upto £42,000,000,000 can be invested in UK manufacturing and delivery of the new engine to have a tangible effect on carbon emissions within 6-10 years, depending on the level of support and assistance from the government and rest of the industry.

The Climate Change Engine

It’s Christmas Day and today I have a small Christmas present for the planet – a potential, upto 20%, reduction in urban air pollution for delivery within eight years at no cost to tax-payers.

A New Engine, A Solution Now

For the last few years I’ve been working on the design for the Rumbler 505 Sport Tank. Partly for the challenge of creating something beautiful, partly to solve the issues of urban traffic air pollution.

At the heart of this is a new concept in efficient engine design. While some parties are more concerned about the adoption of electric power I see this as too far away to solve the problems of air pollution today. The engine is my answer, and today I calculated what it would cost and how quickly it might take to implement in the UK.

The £42 milliard solution

I believe from my own estimates that the engine will deliver an efficiency of up to 20%, reducing fuel consumption and air pollution by that amount. The logistical challenge is how to get the engine into enough vehicles and produce a tangible change in the world today.

This was the solution I completed this morning on my daily stroll around the park.

Swap out all the engines.

Don’t spend so much time trying to re-invent the vehicles with fashionable new technologies, artificial intelligence, magical batteries and much more, just swap out all the engines.

Let’s say there are twenty-one million vehicles on the roads in the UK. Each engine and the cost of installation might be an average of upto £2,000. That is a total cost of forty-two thousand million pounds. This can be afforded using financial offset programmes through Rumbler and my financial management company.

To build and replace twenty-one million vehicles of all types would be a huge exercise, but to swap out all the engines would be far quicker and easier to accomplish. I suspect it could be done within a handful of years, far quicker than trying to replace every vehicle in the UK.

If successful the programme can be rolled out across the planet relatively quickly.

A Logistical Programme

This is no vain exercise, the programme of delivery would be carefully managed to give the maximum benefit in the shortest time. Do this by delivering the engines to the most popular and air polluting vehicles first.

Buses.

Taxis.

The most popular small vehicles in the UK: Ford Fiestas, the Mini.

Roll out to commercial vehicles, lorries and wagons.

Delivery vans for the scores of online mail-order companies nowadays, choking our cities with their white vans.

Deliver to co-operative manufactures at the same time, rolling out new cars as old ones receive their swaps.

No Problem

There is nothing exciting about this. It is a simple exercise in manufacturing and logistics to roll the engines out as quickly as possible. The funding for this is readily available once the core technology is mastered and the factories are tooled up.

This is why I continue to promote the first step – the Rumbler 505 Sport Tank.

My project is intended to kick-start this process and deliver the technology to the world. If you have any interest in sharing the adventure I invite you to spread the world and come and join me. While the politicians and the diplomats scratch their heads over the Paris Accord we’ll get on and solve the world’s problems.

The Rumbler Sport Tank – The Batmobile for Real.

Footnote – Cost-Benefit Calculation

For comparison, the investment benefit of this programme (£42 milliards) is far less than the proposed cost of the HS2 railway plan (estimated at £56 to £76 milliards, and growing daily) while offering a cleaner environment more quickly to meet new government targets under the Paris Accord. The potential benefits of exports post-BREXIT are far inexcess of the HS2 programme investment, which appears to offer no direct export income.

Cost of this programme to the Treasury is minimal while HS2 will cost huge sums of money to borrow and repay, plus interest.

Climate Change

Climate Change – Fixing It

Are you worried by all the issues of the world climate change? Worried about the unstoppable crisis we are all approaching? Do you feel we really are all doomed? Don’t be worried, it’s being fixed.

This week the world’s politicians, environmental activists and other concerned bodies meet in Poland to discuss and decide on the future of the world environment. But they are not the ones who will really fix it.

The real answer lies in the hands of talented scientists, engineers, designers, innovators and entrepreneurs around the world who are working day and night to fix it all.

The politicians and bureaucrats will make their grand announcements, but behind the scenes there are all the deals, compromises and smudges of ink on their great proclamations. Some will agree with the need for action, some will brush it aside as a nonsense or conspiracy of propaganda, or fake news as it’s now called.

None of it matters to the engineers who are already building the solutions around the world.

Don’t misunderstand. Some politicians will proclaim grand visions of the future and encourage us all to embrace that vision, but look where that led us when their chorus cried out the wonders of diesel engines decades ago and we were all encouraged, cajoled and bribed with tax benefits to buy, buy, buy diesel. Today they brush all that aside in their new song of electric cars, never mind the huge environmental effects of mining and processing rare metals around the world. They will not speak even a soft word for the limited mineral resources available for all the electric batteries we will need in their future vision, nor for the shorter lifespan of batteries (years) compared to combustion engines (decades).

Electric is the solution of the day, but not the only solution. You hear little of all the other innovations around the world. They are slowly, carefully making their way to resolving all the world’s problems, hidden in the shadows and noise of the political stage shows.

This may sound like a simplistic statement, and I know there are thousands of complex details, financial, political, technical, scientific, that must be dealt with. That is why we must focus more on the answers and how to use them, not the problems and the obstacles they pose. There are ways of overcoming all the obstacles we seem to face today. So, when you read yet another outcry that the world is doomed, it isn’t.  The future is going to be a lot brighter for everyone.

Michael Bond,
Founder, Rumbler Cars
and Designer of the Rumbler 505 Sport Tank

Background

Michael has designed the Rumbler 505 Sport Tank as a solution to air pollution in vehicle design through innovation in engine technology. The Sport Tank embodies a new high efficiency hybrid engine design that will reduce air pollution and fuel consumption by upto 20%. This is the first step in a progressive evolution planned over the next forty years to solve the issues of air pollution from urban traffic.