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Auto Talk => The Mainstream Room => Topic started by: Galaxy on May 08, 2012, 02:17:29 AM

Title: The Volpe
Post by: Galaxy on May 08, 2012, 02:17:29 AM
The Italian company Volpe will bring the car (also called Volpe) to market in 2013.

(http://img4.auto-motor-und-sport.de/Volpe-Elektroauto-19-fotoshowImageNew-744bf5a9-592324.jpg)
(http://img3.auto-motor-und-sport.de/Volpe-Elektroauto-19-fotoshowImageNew-fb3a9f4d-592325.jpg)
(http://img4.auto-motor-und-sport.de/Volpe-Elektroauto-19-fotoshowImageNew-7d3e4b1b-592327.jpg)
(http://img4.auto-motor-und-sport.de/Volpe-Elektroauto-19-fotoshowImageNew-c3ef68a7-592328.jpg)
(http://img2.auto-motor-und-sport.de/Volpe-Elektroauto-19-fotoshowImageNew-5b0f092b-592329.jpg)
(http://img3.auto-motor-und-sport.de/Volpe-Elektroauto-19-fotoshowImageNew-2528f0eb-592337.jpg)
(http://img1.auto-motor-und-sport.de/Volpe-Elektroauto-19-fotoshowImageNew-83fc75d1-592338.jpg)


Believe it or not, but this thing runs 105km/h (65mph). It is powered by a 16hp electric engine. Range is given as being up to 380km (236 miles), you can get a CNG engine as a range extender. The thing weighs only 350kg (771 lbs). The price ranges from ? 6.950 to ? 9.950.

I could see this being an alternative for scooters for some people.
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: Colonel Cadillac on May 08, 2012, 02:28:58 AM
Holy shit, even a CNG engine? Impressive!


Now which of the European countries will allow fracking? The US has no real incentive to start exporting natural gas (and the infrastructure to do so doesn't exist).
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: Galaxy on May 08, 2012, 02:37:55 AM
Quote from: Colonel Cadillac on May 08, 2012, 02:28:58 AM

Now which of the European countries will allow fracking? The US has no real incentive to start exporting natural gas (and the infrastructure to do so doesn't exist).


A few month ago this was completed:

(http://neftegaz.ru/images/Neft%20Perey/nord%20stream.jpg)
(http://de.rian.ru/images/26133/72/261337220.jpg)

Of course that comes with baggage....
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: mzziaz on May 08, 2012, 05:09:12 AM
fear not, Galaxy.

The norsemen's got you covered:

(http://www.npd.no/Global/Norsk/3-Publikasjoner/Rapporter/Statusbeskrivelse-for-petr_virksomheten/Fig-10.jpg)

:ohyeah:
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: FoMoJo on May 08, 2012, 05:31:09 AM
Why does that name sound familiar? :confused:  Ah Yes, Paul Volpe.

As for the car, it seems like the ideal businessmen's urban commuter.
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: Galaxy on May 08, 2012, 05:57:22 AM
Quote from: mzziaz on May 08, 2012, 05:09:12 AM
fear not, Galaxy.

The norsemen's got you covered:

(http://www.npd.no/Global/Norsk/3-Publikasjoner/Rapporter/Statusbeskrivelse-for-petr_virksomheten/Fig-10.jpg)

:ohyeah:


Yes, but with you for every ?uro one spends on gas, one has to make a ?uro contribution to Greenpeace to pay for the environmental damages the gas causes to the planet.  :lol:

Something similar is planned for electricity. The excess wind power Germany generates is supposed to be stored in Norway's pump storage power plants, and then shipped back to Germany in times of need.
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: mzziaz on May 08, 2012, 06:10:41 AM
Quote from: Galaxy on May 08, 2012, 05:57:22 AM
Something similar is planned for electricity. The excess wind power Germany generates is supposed to be stored in Norway's pump storage power plants, and then shipped back to Germany in times of need.

Yeah, Norway being the battery of Europe is supposedly the next big thing.
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: TurboDan on May 08, 2012, 08:52:30 AM
Quote from: FoMoJo on May 08, 2012, 05:31:09 AM
As for the car, it seems like the ideal businessmen's urban commuter.

Assuming said businessman doesn't get into a fender bender with any other production car in the world on his way to work, which would probably total his Volpe.   :lol:
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: FoMoJo on May 08, 2012, 08:56:42 AM
Quote from: TurboDan on May 08, 2012, 08:52:30 AM
Assuming said businessman doesn't get into a fender bender with any other production car in the world on his way to work, which would probably total his Volpe.   :lol:
...or a transit bus.  With an interior that small, I expect they could surround the driver with one giant airbag.
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: RomanChariot on May 08, 2012, 09:11:57 AM
The second picture makes me envision a whole street of cars parked along the curb with Volpes wedged in between. The Volpe would act as a nice keystone. Nobody gets to move until the Volpe driver moves.

On the other hand, you could always get a couple of other guys and move the Volpe up on the sidewalk.
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: Raza on May 08, 2012, 09:23:46 AM
Quote from: TurboDan on May 08, 2012, 08:52:30 AM
Assuming said businessman doesn't get into a fender bender with any other production car in the world on his way to work, which would probably total his Volpe.   :lol:

Dude, it's got your Lambo doors!
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: SVT666 on May 08, 2012, 09:33:59 AM
This is a modern Peel P-50.
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: Cookie Monster on May 08, 2012, 10:06:33 AM
I like it
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: Payman on May 08, 2012, 10:20:10 AM
(http://img4.auto-motor-und-sport.de/Volpe-Elektroauto-19-fotoshowImageNew-7d3e4b1b-592327.jpg)

How the hell do you get your car out with one of these shitboxes wedged in front of you?
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: Northlands on May 08, 2012, 11:57:28 AM
Quote from: Rockraven on May 08, 2012, 10:20:10 AM
(http://img4.auto-motor-und-sport.de/Volpe-Elektroauto-19-fotoshowImageNew-7d3e4b1b-592327.jpg)

How the hell do you get your car out with one of these shitboxes wedged in front of you?

I can think of a way, but the Volpe comes out of the deal being a lot more narrow.
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: SVT666 on May 08, 2012, 11:59:57 AM
Quote from: Rockraven on May 08, 2012, 10:20:10 AM
(http://img4.auto-motor-und-sport.de/Volpe-Elektroauto-19-fotoshowImageNew-7d3e4b1b-592327.jpg)

How the hell do you get your car out with one of these shitboxes wedged in front of you?
We already have that problem with motorcycles parking between parked cars.  It's nothing new.
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: 2o6 on May 08, 2012, 01:11:55 PM
This thing is going to lose when compared to the Renault Twizy, which is made from an established make, and costs about the same.
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: Galaxy on May 08, 2012, 01:38:13 PM
Quote from: 2o6 on May 08, 2012, 01:11:55 PM
This thing is going to lose when compared to the Renault Twizy, which is made from an established make, and costs about the same.

The Twizy is not completely enclosed though. That could be a deal breaker.

(http://www.prestigecars.de/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Renault_Twizy_2.jpg)
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: 280Z Turbo on May 08, 2012, 04:12:37 PM
It makes more sense than the Smart car.
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: Cookie Monster on May 08, 2012, 05:31:47 PM
Like someone else said, it doesn't seem like it'd be too hard to just push the car out of the way...
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: 280Z Turbo on May 08, 2012, 05:57:36 PM
Quote from: thecarnut on May 08, 2012, 05:31:47 PM
Like someone else said, it doesn't seem like it'd be too hard to just push the car out of the way...

Well, there's the whole causing damage to a car and leaving the scene of an accident thing.
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: Payman on May 08, 2012, 06:37:53 PM
I wonder what it pulls on a skidpad.
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: MX793 on May 08, 2012, 06:44:10 PM
Wasn't there some electric car that came out like 10 years ago that was very similar to this thing?  I remember it being very tall and narrow and only seating 1 or 2 people (seated front and back if it was a 2-seater, too narrow for two abreast).
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: 2o6 on May 08, 2012, 08:12:04 PM
Quote from: MX793 on May 08, 2012, 06:44:10 PM
Wasn't there some electric car that came out like 10 years ago that was very similar to this thing?  I remember it being very tall and narrow and only seating 1 or 2 people (seated front and back if it was a 2-seater, too narrow for two abreast).


Yep, the Tango.

(http://metrospokane.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/tango0002.jpg)


It's also 100,000 dollars, but manages 0-60 in 4 seconds and manages a top speed of 130MPH.

http://youtu.be/QwiS4t8TMlI
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: Rupert on May 08, 2012, 08:36:07 PM
Neato.
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: Madman on May 08, 2012, 08:57:19 PM
Quote from: MX793 on May 08, 2012, 06:44:10 PM
Wasn't there some electric car that came out like 10 years ago that was very similar to this thing?  I remember it being very tall and narrow and only seating 1 or 2 people (seated front and back if it was a 2-seater, too narrow for two abreast).


Quote from: 2o6 on May 08, 2012, 08:12:04 PM

Yep, the Tango.

It's also 100,000 dollars, but manages 0-60 in 4 seconds and manages a top speed of 130MPH.



I was thinking of the Corbin Sparrow.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Corbin_Sparrow.jpg)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corbin_Sparrow
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: Payman on May 08, 2012, 09:43:15 PM
Quote from: Madman on May 08, 2012, 08:57:19 PM


I was thinking of the Corbin Sparrow.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Corbin_Sparrow.jpg)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corbin_Sparrow


Ah yes, Goldmember's car.
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: WookieOnRitalin on May 09, 2012, 05:51:53 AM
Quote from: Rockraven on May 08, 2012, 09:43:15 PM
Ah yes, Goldmember's car.

That looks like the ride of the Ambiguously Gay duo.
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: SVT666 on May 09, 2012, 10:11:18 AM
It looks like a Duck Billed Platypus.
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: MrH on May 09, 2012, 07:43:39 PM
Quote from: 2o6 on May 08, 2012, 01:11:55 PM
This thing is going to lose when compared to the Renault Twizy, which is made from an established make, and costs about the same.

No, no, and no.  The Twizy is one of the biggest disasters ever.  Damn near impossible to fit in.  Just horrible ergonomics.  Horribly made. 
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: MX793 on May 09, 2012, 07:47:14 PM
Quote from: 2o6 on May 08, 2012, 08:12:04 PM

Yep, the Tango.

(http://metrospokane.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/tango0002.jpg)


It's also 100,000 dollars, but manages 0-60 in 4 seconds and manages a top speed of 130MPH.

http://youtu.be/QwiS4t8TMlI

Yup, that's it.
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: 2o6 on May 09, 2012, 07:49:23 PM
Quote from: MrH on May 09, 2012, 07:43:39 PM
No, no, and no.  The Twizy is one of the biggest disasters ever.  Damn near impossible to fit in.  Just horrible ergonomics.  Horribly made. 


Too narrow?
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: TurboDan on May 10, 2012, 01:28:02 AM
Quote from: WookieOnRitalin on May 09, 2012, 05:51:53 AM
That looks like the ride of the Ambiguously Gay duo.

Ace and Gary had a MUCH cooler car than that!  :ohyeah:
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: MrH on May 10, 2012, 07:18:00 AM
Quote from: 2o6 on May 09, 2012, 07:49:23 PM

Too narrow?

Well, that and way too short. Seat all the way back and I literally have to jam my leg to fit. There isnt enough room to fit my femur in.
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: Catman on May 10, 2012, 07:28:46 AM
Is this going to be another case where its priced more than a traditional 4D sedan?
Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: Galaxy on May 10, 2012, 10:33:02 AM
Quote from: Catman on May 10, 2012, 07:28:46 AM
Is this going to be another case where its priced more than a traditional 4D sedan?

Quote from: Galaxy on May 08, 2012, 02:17:29 AM
The price ranges from ? 6.950 to ? 9.950.

:ohyeah:

Granted you can get a Dacia for about the same.

Title: Re: The Volpe
Post by: Raza on May 10, 2012, 12:26:37 PM
Quote from: MrH on May 10, 2012, 07:18:00 AM
Well, that and way too short. Seat all the way back and I literally have to jam my leg to fit. There isnt enough room to fit my femur in.

Well, you shouldn't be traveling in a car that size with your pet lemur/ferret crossbreed.