Re: New Electric Sports Car has CPU of IIGS (65C816)

[pubpc1@library.ucla.edu]

irsman@iag.net (Ian Schmidt) wrote:
>In article <58n5m4$1hnk@uni.library.ucla.edu>,
> <pubpc1@library.ucla.edu> wrote:
>
>>That's true.  Still, that's a piece of the IIGS and having 65816s
>>can't hurt WDC, which is important if we ever want to see faster
>>'816 based IIGS clones.
>
>Not to rain too hard on your parade, but I'd assume the Super NES, with
>worldwide sales of over 30 million units, would have more than fueled any
>WDC development of faster/more-bit '816s if they were interested.  I'd have
>to assume that therefore they ain't.
>

WDC has been developing faster CPUs.  They already have a 20MHz '816
used in the Super64CPU/20 accelerator for the Commodore 64 series and
the Commodore 128 series in C64 emulation mode.

The fact of the matter is that WDC R&D is slower than Intel and Motorolla
because, despite SNES sales and microcontroller applications, there are
far less '816 sales compared to Intel and Motorolla chips.

The EV1 is cutting edge technology and having WDC chips in there can't
hurt.  It will certainly help WDC's image and add some dollars to their
R&D.

As to running GS/OS on it, like Steve said nobody thought of that.  :)
But the car is pretty smart.  It is a computer on wheels, accessed via
a keypad password, programmable to wake itself up, turn on the accessories
and environmental systems automatically for those snowy days.  If you
65816 users want to write a IIGS emulator for it, I'm all for it. :):):)

(If K.I.T. can run Applesoft, anything is possible!)

-Scott G.