The Imperia GP claims to combine ecology and performance in a manner not yet achieved. The concept's powertrain is composed of a 2.0L V4 generating 176hp mated to an electric motor. The system goes by the name 'PowerHybrid'. Expected emissions are a miserly 87g/km CO2. The Imperia GP is designed to be capable of running in EV-only mode for zero-emissions travel.
Recharge time is quoted as four hours on 220V mains, but the petrol engine can also recharge the batteries while in hybrid mode. It seems this concept is a bit further along than most CGI-rendered design specials, since it's based on a tubular chassis that has already passed crash testing.
What you're really wanting to know though, is how it goes. Performance in electric-only mode is a claimed 7.1s for the 0-100km/h (62mph) dash and 4.8s in hybrid mode. No word on top speed yet, but the company also states the car can cover the kilometer in 22s from a standing start, which is rather quick.
Styling is reminiscent of a Wiesmann or Morgan design, although the Imperia GP adds a touch more 'neo' to the neo-retro balance. The marriage of old and new is appropriate in a car that fuses petrol and electric propulsion so effectively, and from a company that last saw success in the industry almost 70 years ago.
Via: Caradisiac