Motor Authority - blog Tag: Venturi

Venturi has taken a major step closer to mass producing its all-electric Eclectic urban runabout, revealing the second-generation model for the first time along with information about establishing a new factory in France. The Eclectic was first shown off in concept form at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, and despite its odd looks managed to find the homes of 200 willing buyers.

The original concept looked more like a golf cart and featured an electric powertrain charged up by solar panels on the roof or a small wind-powered generator for when the sun is down. The new model is slightly smaller, more aerodynamic and is available with optional... Venturi has taken a major step closer to mass producing its all-electric Eclectic urban runabout, revealing the second-generation model for the first time along with information about establishing a new factory in France. The Eclectic was first shown off in concept form at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, and despite its odd looks managed to find the homes of 200 willing buyers. The original concept looked more like a golf cart and featured an electric powertrain charged up by solar panels on the roof or a small wind-powered generator for when the sun is down. The new model is slightly smaller, more aerodynamic and is available with optional doors for the first time. Like the original the new Eclectic also comes with roof-mounted solar panels and a 300 watt wind-turbine that can carry the vehicle up to 10km on a full day's charge. Otherwise the vehicle can travel a total of 50km using its lithium-ion batteries at a top speed of 45km/h. Its electric motor is rated at just 4kW and 52Nm of torque, and the entire vehicle weighs in at 390kg. Pricing for the second-generation Eclectic will start at €15,000 and production is expected to start in October next year at a proposed plant near Sablé-sur-Sarthe, France. Venturi is hoping to build up to 3,000 Eclectics per year although final production numbers and pricing could change before the vehicle’s sales launch. Coinciding with the latest announcement, Venturi unveiled a new all-electric concept at this week’s Paris Motor Show that it hopes to start building in 2012. The new concept is called the Volage and it features a new dual-motor in-wheel powertrain co-developed with Michelin.2008 Venturi Volage Concept at Paris Motor Show Read More

Venturi is most widely recognized for its all-electric Fetish, a compact Roadster similar to the Tesla Roadster that is still in development and is due to hit the streets in June of next year. The company, which is based in Monaco, has now presented a new electric concept in the form of the Volage, which is on display at the Paris Motor Show this week.

In building the concept, Venturi called upon Michelin to bestow its new ‘active wheel’ technology. The new feature utilizes two independent motors in each wheel - one to transmit power to the ground and the other to control the electronic suspension and braking system. In this... Venturi is most widely recognized for its all-electric Fetish, a compact Roadster similar to the Tesla Roadster that is still in development and is due to hit the streets in June of next year. The company, which is based in Monaco, has now presented a new electric concept in the form of the Volage, which is on display at the Paris Motor Show this week. In building the concept, Venturi called upon Michelin to bestow its new ‘active wheel’ technology. The new feature utilizes two independent motors in each wheel - one to transmit power to the ground and the other to control the electronic suspension and braking system. In this way the car’s wheels are always connected to the road. Its curvaceous body is constructed from carbon-fiber and its powertrain consists of eight electric motors, all powered by advanced lithium polymer batteries. Each motor outputs 55kW and 232Nm of torque. The dashboard features an LCD touchscreen panel that allows the driver to control the amount of power delivered to the wheels to help extend the driving range. The Volage is capable of accelerating from 0-62mph in less than five seconds and can reach a top speed of close to 160mph. The driving range is an estimated 200 miles on a single charge. According to Venturi, the Volage will enter production in 2012. Like the current Fetish, the Volage will be hand assembled in Monaco in very limited numbers.2008 Venturi Volage Concept at Paris Motor Show Read More