Palumbo M80 hybrid supercar in the works

Posted Tue Jun 5 2007 4:42 AM by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

Palumbo M80 hybrid supercar in the works

We may soon be able to add a new vehicle to the growing list of sports cars equipped with electric motors. This time ‘round we have the American designed Palumbo M80 hybrid car, a two seat, mid-engine sports car utilizing a lightweight spaceframe chassis made of aluminum alloys and advanced composite materials.

Although it’s still in the design phase, its developers claim the car will output 350hp with drive sent to the rear wheels via a CVT transmission. An electric motor, similar to the set-up used in the Lexus GS450h will provide assistance during high-load situations. Total weight of the vehicle will be less than 2,200 pounds, which means the M80 should be able to reach 60mph from rest in just 3.9 seconds with the quarter mile passing in 11.9.

The project is the creation of Joe Palumbo, a man who envisages a sports car that you can take to the track and compete against Ferraris and Porsches, and then drive home without the need to stop at a gas station. Designed as an everyday sports car, the M80 will also feature four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and manage a fuel economy rating of 46mpg.

Via:

Reader Comments

  • Wed Jun 6 2007 11:44 AM

    biturbo says

    "Total weight of the vehicle will be less than 2,200 pounds" with a 350 HP internal combustion engine, bigger battery and an electric motor of significant size...
    In your dreams Palumbo...

  • Wed Jun 6 2007 1:43 PM

    admin says

    Perhaps it's made out of Balsa wood?

    Actually this raises an interesting point about the weight of cars often being understated by the manufacturers. Variances of 1-200kg are not unheard of.

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