It's no newsflash that Russians have money these days, but what remains to be seen is whether rich Ruskies would be willing to spend their flash cash on cars built by the home team, Lada. But the home team may be ready to find out. Behold the Lada Revolution 3, a Russian supercar. Mid-engine, six-speed, rear-drive, low-slung, adjustable wing in back, this thing apparently has it all. Under the rear glass, under a cover that suggests it might be concealing a V-8, beats the heart of a Renault F4R774 2.0-liter four cylinder, making 245 hp, which is supposedly enough to hustle this thing to 62 mph in just 5.9 seconds en route to a top speed of 155 mph. Pagani has nothing to worry about. Yet. If you think Russian concepts are weird, try this Hungarian one from the Andros Group. Called iSolo, it's an ultra-light (770-pound), aero-slick (0.22 Cd) three seat electric car that can run on solar energy gathered from the roof panels, plug-in power, or pedal power. That's right, each seat has two pedals that can be pumped to generate electricity. Top speed is said to be 80 mph. A multi-fuel range-extending combustion engine is in the works for a future show. The name of this one almost says it all: Assystem City Car. w's this for a wacky hybrid. Four wheels arrayed in a diamond pattern. The front and rear wheels can turn fully 90 degrees in either direction, allowing the car to pivot about its center, or to drive into a parallel parking space and then pivot into position. Here's where it really gets weird. The front wheel is electrically driven, with the motor and four batteries all mounted on a turntable that includes a control arm and spring/damper for the wheel (the drivetrain is not unsprung, thankfully. The rear wheel is powered by a Honda scooter's 600cc motor, which again is mounted along with a small gas tank, on a turntable. Assystem is an engineering company, working with Franco Sbarro design, that is looking for a licensee to build the bizarre City Car. We wish them luck. Lumeneo Smera. Billed as a 1+1 tandem, this four-wheeled enclosed motorcycle of sorts is powered by electricity, using a 30kW motor and a 10 kW-hour battery good for 150 km (93-mile) range. It rides on four 145/70R-14 tires and can lean 25 degrees in the turns. I wouldn't hold my breath for production ever reaching U.S. shores.
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Friday, December 25, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Lumeneo Smera
Lumeneo Smera was introduced at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. With 144 volt lithium ion battery Lumeneo Smera can go from 0-60mph in eight seconds. The lithium ion battery is supplying the power to the dual rear wheel motors. This concept car is able to transport two passenger up to 93 miles and with 80 mph of top speed. In 2009 Lumeneo plan to produce 250 units of this cool car. The price range is starting at 24,500 euros ($33,000 US).
General Specifications :
First Introduced at : 2008
Country of origin :
Dimensions :
Length / width / height : 2380 / 800 / 1450 mm
Doors / Seats : 2 / 1+1
Wheelbase : 1700 mm
Track : 655 mm
Steering diameter : 7 m
Maximum tilting angle : 25 °
Weight (with batteries) : 350kg / 770 lbs
Pneumatic dimensions : 145/70 R14
Engine :
Boot volume : 70 / 150 liters
Motorization Technology : Brushless electric motors with permanent magnets
Max Power : 30 / 40 kW / Hp
Max Torque on wheels : 1 000 Nm
Max Voltage : 144 V
Technology : Lithium
Capacity : 10 kWh
Speed :
Performances Max speed : 130 kph / 80 mph
0-100 kph / 0 – 60 mph : 8.0 s
Range : 150 km / 90 miles
