Smart to Display Brabus Electric Drive at the Geneva Motor Show
"background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 134px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 200px;" /
Varley evR450 is Australia’s First-Ever Electric Supercar
type='html'>
Australia’s claim to performance cars revolves mostly around V8-powered sport saloons such as the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon. Powerful? Yes, especially the Holden HSV models but they are as far from the world of supercars as Australia is from the North Pole.Enter the world of Varley evR450. Billed as "Australia’s first-ever electric supercar", the yellow-mellow sports car was unveiled at the third Electric Vehicle Conference in Brisbane on October 26.
If you’ve never heard of Varley, that’s because it’s not really a car company but rather an industrial group with a 125-year history that manufactures all kinds of vehicles ranging from airport tugs and hospital bed movers to urban search and rescue models and transportable aircraft landing systems.
This is about to change as its Varley Electric Vehicles division is going all Mad Max in the electric supercar arena with the evR450. Its specifications are quite impressive: 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) comes in just 3.8 seconds, top speed is electronically limited to 200 km/h (125 mph) and its range is 150 km (93 miles) or 300 km (186 miles) with the optional range-extension pack.
Moreover, this is not just a flight of fancy, but a real car that has a price estimate of around AU$200,000 or US$211,000 and is scheduled to hit the streets early next year.
“You could expect seeing it on Queensland roads as early as January 2012”, said John Bettini, Varley Electric Vehicles division manager. We are proud of its technology based on Varley’s long experience in electric vehicles and out close relationship with Tritium and Ultramotive, two other local technology companies.”
Story References: Varley Group via Autoblog.Green
Australia’s claim to performance cars revolves mostly around V8-powered sport saloons such as the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon. Powerful? Yes, especially the Holden HSV models but they are as far from the world of supercars as Australia is from the North Pole.Enter the world of Varley evR450. Billed as "Australia’s first-ever electric supercar", the yellow-mellow sports car was unveiled at the third Electric Vehicle Conference in Brisbane on October 26.
If you’ve never heard of Varley, that’s because it’s not really a car company but rather an industrial group with a 125-year history that manufactures all kinds of vehicles ranging from airport tugs and hospital bed movers to urban search and rescue models and transportable aircraft landing systems.
This is about to change as its Varley Electric Vehicles division is going all Mad Max in the electric supercar arena with the evR450. Its specifications are quite impressive: 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) comes in just 3.8 seconds, top speed is electronically limited to 200 km/h (125 mph) and its range is 150 km (93 miles) or 300 km (186 miles) with the optional range-extension pack.
Moreover, this is not just a flight of fancy, but a real car that has a price estimate of around AU$200,000 or US$211,000 and is scheduled to hit the streets early next year.
“You could expect seeing it on Queensland roads as early as January 2012”, said John Bettini, Varley Electric Vehicles division manager. We are proud of its technology based on Varley’s long experience in electric vehicles and out close relationship with Tritium and Ultramotive, two other local technology companies.”
Story References: Varley Group via Autoblog.Green
PG Elektrus is a $312k Pure Electric Lotus Elise with a Carbon-Fiber Body
However, the Germans went one-step further and dressed the body in a carbon fiber suite to reduce the car's weight. Another highlight is the solar panel mounted behind the driver that collects the sun's energy and converts it into electricity to power up the batteries – or so the company claims.
The roadster model's electric motor produces the equivalent of 272-horsepower and 350Nm (258.2 lb-ft) of constant torque, which is said to be enough to propel the PG Elektrus to 100km/h (62mph) in less than three seconds and on to a top speed of up to 300km/h (186mph) – which if true, would probably drain out the batteries and significantly reduce the car's autonomy.
A special audio-based system allows the drive to select from a range of sounds that emulate real engines including a full-bodied V8 and a Formula-One racecar.
PG says that the Elektrus has a driving range of up to 350 kilometers or about 217 miles under normal conditions.
The German company has plans to produce a total of 667 examples of the Elektrus, each with a starting price of €240,000 (US$312,400).
PHOTO GALLERY
The roadster model's electric motor produces the equivalent of 272-horsepower and 350Nm (258.2 lb-ft) of constant torque, which is said to be enough to propel the PG Elektrus to 100km/h (62mph) in less than three seconds and on to a top speed of up to 300km/h (186mph) – which if true, would probably drain out the batteries and significantly reduce the car's autonomy.
A special audio-based system allows the drive to select from a range of sounds that emulate real engines including a full-bodied V8 and a Formula-One racecar.
PG says that the Elektrus has a driving range of up to 350 kilometers or about 217 miles under normal conditions.
The German company has plans to produce a total of 667 examples of the Elektrus, each with a starting price of €240,000 (US$312,400).
PHOTO GALLERY
Mercedes-Benz B-Class Comes to U.S., But Only as an Electric Vehicle
type='html'>
The 2013 New York International Auto Show hosted the world premiere of the Mercedes-BenzB-Class Electric Drive in final production trim. With a driving range of around 115 miles (200 km), the electric B-Class will first launch in the USA at the beginning of 2014 as the brand’s first luxury electric car on the market.
The 2013 New York International Auto Show hosted the world premiere of the Mercedes-BenzB-Class Electric Drive in final production trim. With a driving range of around 115 miles (200 km), the electric B-Class will first launch in the USA at the beginning of 2014 as the brand’s first luxury electric car on the market.
Based on the conventionally powered B-Class, the Electric Drive version will in fact be the only B-Class model available in the United States. Powered by an electric motor generating more than 100 kW (134 HP) and 310 Nm (228.6 lb-ft) of peak torque, the B-Class Electric Drive covers the 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) sprint in “considerably less than 10 seconds,” according to Mercedes’ press release. Top speed is limited to 100 mph (160 km/h).
The engine draws its energy from a lithium-ion battery that is placed in the vehicle’s underfloor, in the so-called “Energy Space”, a solution that helps save space and make the car safer in case of an impact. Thanks to this solution, the B-Class Electric Drive has the same interior and luggage space as the regular model.
The electric hatch can be recharged at any standard household power socket, with charging time for a range of about 60 miles (96 km) standing at less than 2 hours at 240V/40A in the USA (1.5 hours at 400V in Europe).
One of the highlights of the B-Class EV is the Vehicle Homepage, which allows the driver to easily access the vehicle via the Internet, using a PC or smartphone. With this feature, it is possible to check the current charge status of the lithium-ion battery or to verify the vehicle's current range on a map. The driver can also set pre-heating or cooling of the vehicle’s interior.
The exterior and interior are almost identical to those of the conventionally-powered B-Class models sold in Europe, except for the EV-specific features. The new B-Class Electric Drive will be available in the USA in early 2014 with Europe to follow later in the year.
By Dan Mihalascu
Renault's New Zoe Electric Hatch Video Reviewed
type='html'>
The two main downsides of buying and owning anelectric vehicle are still the high acquisition cost and limited range, and while the Renault Zoe is not a perfect car, it at least crosses one of those negatives off the list. We are talking about the price, which, at least in the UK, is very reasonable, and after factoring in the hefty government rebate, the all-electric Zoe is yours from £13,650 (€16,040).
The two main downsides of buying and owning anelectric vehicle are still the high acquisition cost and limited range, and while the Renault Zoe is not a perfect car, it at least crosses one of those negatives off the list. We are talking about the price, which, at least in the UK, is very reasonable, and after factoring in the hefty government rebate, the all-electric Zoe is yours from £13,650 (€16,040).
One of the first video test drives that we currently know of was done by UK-based Honest-John, who has tried out the little French EV, and his verdict is rather encouraging.
The Zoe makes sense for many reasons: it's relatively inexpensive, it is decently quick with 87hp and 220 Nm, roomy inside, with enough space for five, it has a big boot and it also looks particularly smart, especially in black.
It looks funky enough to feel new and modern, but it isn't too futuristic, as that would ward away the more conservative of buyers. It also comes decently equipped from the get-go, and there are three levels of trim to choose from (Expression, Dynamique Zen and Dynamique Intens).
If you look at the Renault Zoe with a strictly logical and cost-calculating eye, then it will not really make sense, as it needs an optional charger for you to charge the car at home (that costs extra), while the monthly battery lease fee of £70 in the UK means running costs are comparable to those of the regular Clio diesel.
Check out the full review below, and give us your thoughts on the Renault Zoe's chance of achieving sales success.
By Andrei Nedelea
Kaydol:
Kayıtlar (Atom)
