The Road to the Future
December 25, 2010
Aritra's Villa, Jadavpur, Kolkata
The holographic interface of the Legendary System Store flickered, illuminating Aritra's study in a soft blue glow. Outside, Dakhuria Lake stretched silently under the winter sky, the crisp December air drifting through the slightly open balcony doors.
Seated in his chair, fingers tapping against the armrest, Aritra's mind was locked onto a singular vision—the future of Indian automobiles.
For decades, India had been trapped in an inefficient cycle—fossil fuels, outdated engines, and traffic congestion that suffocated its cities. Even with the rise of electric vehicles in the West, India's power grid was too unstable to support mass EV adoption.
The answer wasn't electric. It was hydrogen.
With Echelon's vast steel network, advanced manufacturing hubs in Maharashtra, and near-unlimited technological access through the System, he had everything necessary to dominate the automotive industry.
He navigated to the System Store's Automotive Division, filtering hydrogen engines by efficiency, power, and scalability.
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1. Hydrogen Engine Technology
Aritra needed different engine types to cover all market segments—from affordable compact cars to high-performance supercars and industrial freight trucks.
Each engine had to be carefully optimized for fuel efficiency, range, and cost-effectiveness.
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Budget-Friendly Hydrogen Engines (Compact & Mid-Range Cars)
1. EcoFlux H2 Lite Engine
- Power Output: 180 HP
- Efficiency: 88% energy conversion rate
- Fuel Consumption: 1 kg of hydrogen per 125 km
- Tank Size Compatibility: 3-5 kg (450-700 km range)
- Production Line Cost: $180 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 40,000 engines
- Cost Per Engine: $400
2. HydroDrive Urban Compact Engine
- Power Output: 220 HP
- Efficiency: 90% energy conversion rate
- Fuel Consumption: 1 kg of hydrogen per 130 km
- Tank Size Compatibility: 4-6 kg (500-800 km range)
- Production Line Cost: $220 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 35,000 engines
- Cost Per Engine: $500
3. QuantumFlow CityDrive Engine
- Power Output: 250 HP
- Efficiency: 91% energy conversion rate
- Fuel Consumption: 1 kg of hydrogen per 135 km
- Tank Size Compatibility: 5-7 kg (600-850 km range)
- Production Line Cost: $250 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 30,000 engines
- Cost Per Engine: $600
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Luxury & SUV Hydrogen Engines
For premium vehicles, customers expected high performance, smooth driving, and extended range.
1. NovaFlow HydroBoost Gen-3 Engine
- Power Output: 750 HP
- Efficiency: 94% energy conversion rate
- Fuel Consumption: 1 kg of hydrogen per 115 km
- Tank Size Compatibility: Up to 9 kg (1,000 km range)
- Production Line Cost: $400 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 25,000 engines
- Cost Per Engine: $700
2. HorizonTech H2-XP UltraFuel Engine
- Power Output: 700 HP
- Efficiency: 92% energy conversion rate
- Fuel Consumption: 1 kg of hydrogen per 110 km
- Tank Size Compatibility: 6-8 kg (800-950 km range)
- Production Line Cost: $350 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 20,000 engines
- Cost Per Engine: $680
3. TitanCore All-Terrain SUV Engine
- Power Output: 820 HP
- Efficiency: 93% energy conversion rate
- Fuel Consumption: 1 kg of hydrogen per 112 km
- Tank Size Compatibility: 8-10 kg (900-1,050 km range)
- Production Line Cost: $420 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 18,000 engines
- Cost Per Engine: $750
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High-Performance & Sports Hydrogen Engines
For sports cars, efficiency took a backseat to raw power and acceleration.
1. QuantumDrive H2-Fusion Engine
- Power Output: 850 HP
- Efficiency: 95% energy conversion rate
- Fuel Consumption: 1 kg of hydrogen per 120 km
- Tank Size Compatibility: Up to 10 kg (1,100 km range)
- Production Line Cost: $450 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 18,000 engines
- Cost Per Engine: $800
2. HyperJet Dual-Core Hydrogen Rotary Engine
- Power Output: 500 HP
- Efficiency: 87% energy conversion rate
- Fuel Consumption: 1 kg of hydrogen per 100 km
- Tank Size Compatibility: 5-7 kg (600-850 km range)
- Production Line Cost: $280 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 22,000 engines
- Cost Per Engine: $650
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Heavy-Duty & Commercial Hydrogen Engines
Freight and transport trucks required raw power, but efficiency suffered due to extreme weight loads.
1. TitanMax H2 Freight Engine
- Power Output: 1,100 HP
- Efficiency: 80% energy conversion rate
- Fuel Consumption: 1 kg of hydrogen per 40 km
- Tank Size Compatibility: 25 kg (1,000 km range)
- Production Line Cost: $500 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 12,000 engines
- Cost Per Engine: $900
2. MegaTorque H2 Hauler Engine
- Power Output: 950 HP
- Efficiency: 82% energy conversion rate
- Fuel Consumption: 1 kg of hydrogen per 42 km
- Tank Size Compatibility: 25 kg (1,050 km range)
- Production Line Cost: $480 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 15,000 engines
- Cost Per Engine: $850
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Finalizing the Purchase
After careful analysis, Aritra purchased multiple production lines:
1. Budget Engine Line: QuantumFlow CityDrive Engine → $250M
2. Luxury & SUV Engine Line: NovaFlow HydroBoost Gen-3 Engine → $400M
3. Sports & Performance Engine Line: QuantumDrive H2-Fusion Engine → $450M
4. Heavy-Duty Engine Line: TitanMax H2 Freight Engine → $500M
Total Investment: $1.6 Billion
With these four production lines, Aritra could manufacture over 85,000 hydrogen engines per month, preparing for a complete automobile revolution.
With the hydrogen engine production secured, Aritra now turned his attention to the rest of the vehicle.
A car wasn't just an engine—it was a carefully engineered machine where frame, aerodynamics, tires, braking, and smart systems all played a role in efficiency, safety, and performance.
Aritra opened the System Store's Automotive Engineering Division, filtering through frame materials, aerodynamics, tire technologies, and advanced driving systems.
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2. Car Body & Aerodynamics
The material of a car's frame was critical—it determined weight, fuel efficiency, durability, and safety.
For different vehicle categories, Aritra needed:
- Lightweight materials for budget and compact cars to improve mileage.
- Durable yet stylish materials for luxury and SUVs to ensure safety and long lifespan.
- Ultra-light but high-strength composites for sports cars to enhance speed and handling.
- Reinforced materials for heavy-duty commercial vehicles to withstand extreme loads.
Budget & Mid-Range Car Frames
1. TitanLite Aluminum Alloy
- Weight Reduction: 38% lighter than conventional steel
- Durability: 2x stronger than regular aluminum
- Corrosion Resistance: 15-year anti-rust guarantee
- Production Cost Per Car: $400
- Factory Setup Cost: $350 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 50,000 frames
2. CarbonFlex Budget Composite
- Weight Reduction: 45% lighter than steel
- Durability: Moderate, but impact-resistant
- Special Feature: Cheap and recyclable
- Production Cost Per Car: $350
- Factory Setup Cost: $280 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 55,000 frames
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Luxury & SUV Car Frames
1. NanoTitanium Reinforced Alloy
- Weight Reduction: 55% lighter than steel
- Durability: Military-grade impact resistance
- Corrosion Resistance: 25-year anti-rust guarantee
- Production Cost Per Car: $750
- Factory Setup Cost: $500 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 40,000 frames
2. GrapheneFlex Armor Composite
- Weight Reduction: 65% lighter than steel
- Durability: 5x stronger than titanium alloy
- Special Feature: Self-healing microcracks
- Production Cost Per Car: $900
- Factory Setup Cost: $600 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 35,000 frames
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Sports Car Frames
1. HyperWeave Carbon Fiber
- Weight Reduction: 72% lighter than steel
- Durability: Designed for high-speed impact resistance
- Aerodynamic Efficiency: Wind-tunnel optimized
- Production Cost Per Car: $1,100
- Factory Setup Cost: $700 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 25,000 frames
2. AeroTitan Carbon-Lithium Blend
- Weight Reduction: 80% lighter than steel
- Durability: Extreme impact absorption
- Special Feature: Heat-resistant for high-speed use
- Production Cost Per Car: $1,300
- Factory Setup Cost: $850 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 20,000 frames
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Heavy-Duty & Commercial Vehicle Frames
1. Reinforced TitanSteel Alloy
- Weight Reduction: Only 25% lighter than steel
- Durability: Can handle extreme weight loads
- Corrosion Resistance: 30-year anti-rust guarantee
- Production Cost Per Truck: $1,500
- Factory Setup Cost: $900 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 15,000 frames
2. UltraDense NanoMesh Composite
- Weight Reduction: 35% lighter than standard truck frames
- Durability: Can withstand 10x normal stress levels
- Special Feature: Extreme temperature resistance
- Production Cost Per Truck: $1,800
- Factory Setup Cost: $1.2 billion
- Monthly Production Capacity: 12,000 frames
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3. Tires & Suspension
A car's grip, handling, and safety depended heavily on its tire technology and suspension system.
Aritra filtered through smart tire technologies that could self-repair, adapt to terrain, and last longer than conventional rubber tires.
Budget & Mid-Range Car Tires
1. NanoGrip All-Season Rubber
- Durability: Lasts 80,000 km
- Special Feature: Puncture-resistant coating
- Production Cost Per Set: $150
- Monthly Production Capacity: 60,000 sets
2. Self-Sealing PolyTread Tires
- Durability: Lasts 100,000 km
- Special Feature: Auto-repair micro punctures
- Production Cost Per Set: $200
- Monthly Production Capacity: 50,000 sets
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Luxury & SUV Tires
1. SmartGrip Adaptive Terrain Tires
- Durability: Lasts 120,000 km
- Special Feature: AI-controlled pressure adjustment
- Production Cost Per Set: $350
- Monthly Production Capacity: 40,000 sets
2. HyperTread Kevlar-Reinforced Tires
- Durability: Lasts 150,000 km
- Special Feature: Bulletproof & military-grade protection
- Production Cost Per Set: $500
- Monthly Production Capacity: 30,000 sets
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Sports Car Tires
1. AeroRace HyperGrip Tires
- Durability: Lasts 90,000 km
- Special Feature: Wind-tunnel designed for maximum traction
- Production Cost Per Set: $600
- Monthly Production Capacity: 25,000 sets
2. NanoFlex Carbon-Weave Tires
- Durability: Lasts 100,000 km
- Special Feature: Self-healing rubber
- Production Cost Per Set: $750
- Monthly Production Capacity: 20,000 sets
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Heavy-Duty & Commercial Tires
1. TitanGrip Industrial Tires
- Durability: Lasts 200,000 km
- Special Feature: Heat and load-resistant
- Production Cost Per Set: $800
- Monthly Production Capacity: 15,000 sets
2. Megalith Hauler Tires
- Durability: Lasts 250,000 km
- Special Feature: Ultra-durable nano-reinforced sidewalls
- Production Cost Per Set: $1,000
- Monthly Production Capacity: 12,000 sets
With hydrogen engines, car frames, aerodynamics, and tire systems finalized, Aritra shifted his focus to the next critical components—braking systems, transmission technology, and AI-assisted driving features.
A car could be fast and efficient, but without proper safety measures, handling, and smart controls, it would never become a true industry leader.
Aritra opened the System Store's Advanced Safety & Driving Systems Division, scanning through brake technologies, automatic transmission units, and AI-enhanced driving features.
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4. Braking & Safety Systems
Aritra needed different braking systems depending on the vehicle category.
- Compact & budget cars needed affordable, long-lasting brake systems.
- Luxury and SUVs required smooth but high-power braking for heavy loads.
- Sports cars demanded race-grade braking for high-speed handling.
- Heavy-duty trucks needed industrial-strength brakes capable of stopping massive loads.
Budget & Mid-Range Car Brakes
1. NanoGrip Ceramic Disc Brakes
- Braking Distance: 40 meters (100 km/h to 0)
- Durability: Lasts 150,000 km
- Special Feature: Low maintenance, high heat resistance
- Production Cost Per Set: $150
- Factory Setup Cost: $250 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 50,000 sets
2. HydroBoost Regenerative Brakes
- Braking Distance: 38 meters (100 km/h to 0)
- Durability: Lasts 180,000 km
- Special Feature: Recovers 15% braking energy to charge the battery
- Production Cost Per Set: $200
- Factory Setup Cost: $300 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 45,000 sets
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Luxury & SUV Brakes
1. TitaniumX Electro-Hydraulic Brakes
- Braking Distance: 35 meters (100 km/h to 0)
- Durability: Lasts 200,000 km
- Special Feature: Adaptive pressure control for smooth braking
- Production Cost Per Set: $400
- Factory Setup Cost: $400 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 40,000 sets
2. Graphene-Coated Smart Brakes
- Braking Distance: 33 meters (100 km/h to 0)
- Durability: Lasts 220,000 km
- Special Feature: AI-controlled wear monitoring
- Production Cost Per Set: $500
- Factory Setup Cost: $500 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 35,000 sets
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Sports Car Brakes
1. Carbon-X Performance Brakes
- Braking Distance: 28 meters (100 km/h to 0)
- Durability: Lasts 250,000 km
- Special Feature: High-speed cornering control
- Production Cost Per Set: $750
- Factory Setup Cost: $600 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 25,000 sets
2. MagnoSteel Race-Grade Brakes
- Braking Distance: 25 meters (100 km/h to 0)
- Durability: Lasts 270,000 km
- Special Feature: Heat-resistant up to 1,200°C
- Production Cost Per Set: $850
- Factory Setup Cost: $750 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 20,000 sets
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Heavy-Duty & Commercial Brakes
1. TitanHaul Mega Brakes
- Braking Distance: 60 meters (100 km/h to 0) under full load
- Durability: Lasts 350,000 km
- Special Feature: Load-sensitive braking force adjustment
- Production Cost Per Set: $1,200
- Factory Setup Cost: $900 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 15,000 sets
2. QuantumStop Industrial Brakes
- Braking Distance: 55 meters (100 km/h to 0) under full load
- Durability: Lasts 400,000 km
- Special Feature: Self-cooling vents to prevent overheating
- Production Cost Per Set: $1,400
- Factory Setup Cost: $1.1 billion
- Monthly Production Capacity: 12,000 sets
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5. Transmission & Smart Features
The transmission system determined how smoothly power was delivered to the wheels.
Aritra needed:
- Basic automatic transmissions for budget-friendly cars.
- Smooth but durable options for luxury cars.
- High-performance gearboxes for sports cars.
- Ultra-durable systems for heavy-duty trucks.
Budget & Mid-Range Car Transmission
1. HydroShift Auto-6 Transmission
- Type: 6-speed automatic
- Efficiency: 89% power transfer
- Production Cost Per Unit: $300
- Factory Setup Cost: $250 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 50,000 units
2. EconoDrive CVT+ Transmission
- Type: Continuously Variable Transmission
- Efficiency: 92% power transfer
- Production Cost Per Unit: $350
- Factory Setup Cost: $300 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 45,000 units
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Luxury & SUV Transmission
1. TitanDrive 8-Speed Automatic
- Efficiency: 94% power transfer
- Production Cost Per Unit: $500
- Factory Setup Cost: $450 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 35,000 units
2. QuantumShift Dual-Clutch Transmission
- Efficiency: 96% power transfer
- Production Cost Per Unit: $650
- Factory Setup Cost: $550 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 30,000 units
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Sports Car Transmission
1. HyperDrive 9-Speed Performance Gearbox
- Efficiency: 98% power transfer
- Production Cost Per Unit: $850
- Factory Setup Cost: $700 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 20,000 units
2. RaceCore Sequential Gearbox
- Efficiency: 99% power transfer
- Production Cost Per Unit: $950
- Factory Setup Cost: $850 million
- Monthly Production Capacity: 15,000 units
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Heavy-Duty & Commercial Transmission
1. TitanHaul 16-Speed TorqueMax
- Efficiency: 92% power transfer
- Production Cost Per Unit: $1,400
- Factory Setup Cost: $1 billion
- Monthly Production Capacity: 12,000 units
2. MegaHauler 18-Speed Industrial Gearbox
- Efficiency: 94% power transfer
- Production Cost Per Unit: $1,600
- Factory Setup Cost: $1.2 billion
- Monthly Production Capacity: 10,000 units
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Finalizing the Purchase
Aritra carefully reviewed the best-performing braking, transmission, and safety features.
After analyzing scalability, cost, and long-term efficiency, he placed an order for:
- Luxury & SUV Brakes: Graphene-Coated Smart Brakes
- Sports Car Brakes: MagnoSteel Race-Grade Brakes
- Heavy-Duty Brakes: QuantumStop Industrial Brakes
- Luxury & SUV Transmission: QuantumShift Dual-Clutch Transmission
- Heavy-Duty Transmission: MegaHauler 18-Speed Industrial Gearbox
Total Investment: $3.7 Billion
With these components secured, Aritra was ready for the next phase—designing the first prototypes.