Venturi Eclectic by Alexander Popple The small French electric vehicle specialist showcases its electric shuttle that’s powered by renewable energy. Regular motor show visitors find Venturi’s swish Fetish, the world’s first all-electric sports car, is a familiar sight. But they might be surprised by what’s alongside it in Paris. Looking rather like an overgrown golf cart, the oddball Eclectic could hardly be more different from the Fetish in appearance and purpose. But at heart it’s just as true to Venturi’s mission – to push the envelope of electric vehicle technology and move the world towards environmentally sustainable but emotionally appealing individual mobility. Full Article
Thirty grand for a thirty mile range and a thirty mile an hour top speed? No thanks. I can go faster and further on a bicycle, and plugging in the 'batteries' is waaay more fun...
I like that these French guys are working on some cool stuff... but really, what's the goal here? Target customer? Not sure I get it!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(naterprius @ Oct 11 2006, 02:52 PM) [snapback]331382[/snapback]</div> He's right. The RAV4 EV cost ~US$30k after incentives and is more practical and has longer range on 8 year old battery technology.
Nice to see that solar is making it onto vehicles now though. It will be a lot more practical when nanosolar and the like get their cheap flexible printed stuff out.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Oct 11 2006, 03:32 PM) [snapback]331414[/snapback]</div> That said, the number that Toyota likes to bat around for their "cost" to build these Rav's is $100k. A bit hard to swallow when you realize they're using an already-designed-and-tested glider from the gas car... and that a little, private company like Tesla can make a luxurious, uber-high-performance vehicle in a custom host for the same amount.
but darell, if they tell the truth that it only cost 40k, then they'd actually have to make them, cause the public would demand them at that cost. And yet we all know that the public just isn't ready for that kind of thing :lol:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eagle33199 @ Oct 12 2006, 09:51 AM) [snapback]331759[/snapback]</div> Darell might be right though. Large companies' employees move like snails. You have 10 guys (in large companies) doing 1 guy's worker (from a startup). Hence, the $100k price tag. I know I have been trying to tell my upper management about it, but they just like to feed those pigs. Oh well.
This would make a great work car for the winter with its doorless open sides. The aerodymanic front end is also a sight to behold. Maybe if I just had to putter to the golf course or something, maybe but... nah, I still like my bike better, too.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Oct 12 2006, 09:46 AM) [snapback]331757[/snapback]</div> That was 8 years ago though. Odd that it's based on the old RAV4 too when the new one came out already when the EV was launched. IT didn't have very many features over the standard RAV4 right?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hyo silver @ Oct 11 2006, 03:47 PM) [snapback]331356[/snapback]</div> 30mph top speed...!?! Wonder if they'd want to drag for pinks...against my moped...? [laughing]
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Oct 12 2006, 06:31 PM) [snapback]332064[/snapback]</div> Ten years, actually. 1996. It would be cheaper to build them today of course as the batteries themselves have fallen in price considerably from 1996 when they were still cutting edge. It was based on that body style because that body style was originally designed to be built up as gas or electric. These are NOT conversions. To use today's gliders, the vehicles would need to be converted, which never works nearly as well as building one on purpose from the beginning. The Rav4EV has lots of features over the standard one. Smooth. Quiet. More powerful. Uses no gas. Uses no oil. Has no exhaust. Precondition timer where you can set a time for the heat or AC to come on before you get into the car in the morning or evening. Ah... but you probably mean stuff like this: Heated seats, heated windshield. I don't believe either of those items came with the gas version. The EV has both. Neat little "EV" logo woven into the floor mats as well.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Oct 13 2006, 08:57 AM) [snapback]332370[/snapback]</div> Smug..... That's what he is .......SMUG!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Allannde @ Oct 13 2006, 11:05 AM) [snapback]332374[/snapback]</div> Let's face it. Prius drivers are just wankers compared to us chosen few who are REALLY smug. Now...where the hell did I put my Nomex suit?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Oct 13 2006, 02:12 PM) [snapback]332413[/snapback]</div> It's next to the stringback driving gloves, the 'Dan Gurney for President' bumper sticker, and the Diet Rite Cola can you use to catch coolant overflow when you take your car to "run what you brung" night at the drag strip.
