Couldn't have these here, doesn't promote "family values"

[RB TexLa]

capable of 80 MPH and goes for a range of up to 93 miles. Best of all, it leans into turns just like a motorcycle so we're assuming driving it has got to be a riot. The little car is powered by two 20 BHP electric motors feeding off of lithium ion batteries capable of a rechage by way of standard domestic power outlet. The quoted 0-100 KPH time is 8 seconds, which for a super economy car is fantastic.


http://jalopnik.com/363973/lumeneo-smera-80-mph-ev-gets-geneva-started-down-path-of-weird

[DesertFlower]

1. i've seen a few of them here in phoenix.

[Cleita]

2. I saw one out in the road the other day out in the boonies here.

I don't think it would be very safe on the freeway. But to go shopping around here, I think it would be workable and no different than driving a motorcycle.

[Cleita]

3. It's an awfully expensive motorcycle though, between $31,000 and $47,000

American dollars. http://green.autoblog.com/2008/03/13/paris-2008-preview-pricey-lumeneo-smera-to-be-released-early-20/

[Electric Monk]

8. I was curious until I saw the price. Better to just get a 250cc donorcycle.

;/

[ProgressiveProfessor]

20. For some, two wheels are not enough, but trike kits are not all that expensive

[TlalocW]

4. I would love to have one of these

I'm childfree so I don't promote family values anyway. If it only had a longer range, this would be my next car. I have a 94 Nissan Sentra (I drive cars until they fall apart) as my long trip car and an Econoline Van that runs on Compressed Natural Gas for my side business vehicle. I'd love to have something that could go several hundred miles without a recharge.

Family values is just a smokescreen. Politicians don't care about those when it comes to vehicles. It's about supporting the oil companies.

TlalocW

[Last_Stand]

5. Geekgasm...

These are freakin' awesome...

[RC]

6. No seat belts?

But then again, if something hits you, you're hamburger anyway.

[proteus_lives]

9. The OP hates seat-belts.

He thinks they are "oppressive" :rofl:

[RB TexLa]

10. I don't hate them or think they are oppressive. I just think they are uncomfortable and bothersome.

[proteus_lives]

23. Moronic.

That's why when you go through a windshield, it will be your own fault. Let's just hope you don't kill anyone else.

[TommyO]

15. From the article:

Disc brakes on all four do the stopping and the car is equipped with a safety cage and seat belts in case things get out of hand.

[Sebastian Doyle]

7. Not bad for single city commuters

But I don't think I'd want to be in one on the freeway.

My only question is why the Hell does the thing have 2 doors, when it's a ONE seater?

[MineralMan]

14. So you can get in from either side.

[Edweird]

11. Put the engine from a Hayabusa (eye abuser -LOL) or ZX-14 in it, and THEN you've got something.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

19. Why not look at something like the Spyder?

http://spyder.brp.com/en-US/

[Edweird]

21. I ride motorcycles :)

The engine swap is to make a street legal go-kart from hell.
If it leans, it should be able to corner like it's on rails.

They are putting motorcycle engines in smart cars.

http://www.youtube.com/v/-gfnqx4Vzzc&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"

http://www.smartuki.com/

[ProgressiveProfessor]

24. As do I. Been my primay means of transportation for years

But there are those for whom two wheels are ill suited. Trikes and things like the Spyder work better for them

[Mari333]

12. I saw something similar here in my small town in MI

a lot of people were staring . You would think they had never seen a car.

[mudplanet]

13. Posters here seem to think this would be safe anywhere BUT the

freeway. As a lifelong motorcyclist, I've discovered that the safest place to drive IS the freeway. Something like 80% of motorcycle accidents happen when a car makes a left turn, and there's no converging traffic on the freeway.

My major issue with this vehicle and most electric and hybrid vehicles remains cost. I can be "environmentally" sound and spend $30K to $100K to transport myself, or I can be realistic and sane and get a pretty good used motorcycle or car for around $3K, get over 30mpg and be responsible to myself and my family and my environment. Heck, the car I drive now gets over 40mpg and I bought if for $500. It looks like s**t but it runs fine and is dependable.

I'd love to be riding an electric bicycle, too, but the damn things cost nearly $4K! I can get a good used BMW motorcycle for that and travel down the interstate at 120mph all day long.

I'm glad it's coming, but it's not here yet.

Besides, as near as I can tell, republican family values consist of beating your kids, cheating on your wife, and sucking strangers c**ks in a freeway restroom. Who wants to promote them?

[Kalyke]

22. The freeway IS dangerous in my town.

I-40 and I-75 intersect here.

That brings in far more truck traffic than most cities of this size and larger see on the average day. And, I'm sorry, truckers may be trained to be careful, but if they do make a mistake, the car/light truck/van NEVER wins.

[Sebastian Doyle]

25. Well, if you look at what happened to Harry Reid' s wife the other day

I believe she was in a minivan with airbags - so she had a big empty space behind her, and a cushion in front of her, and still managed to get seriously injured. I don't think Mrs. Reid would have had a prayer if she had been in one of these vehicles.

As far as this vehicle vs a motorcycle, I would imagine it might be easier for other drivers to see this "mini car" in their mirror where they might not see a bike. So it might actually hold up better than the typical 2 wheeled vehicle on the road.

[hobbit709]

16. It would have to be a very small family to fit in.

[RB TexLa]

17. Everything doesn't have to be about families or family friendly.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

18. Am I the only one here who remembers the Isetta?

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