Spira4U
Finalist of the Automotive XPrize held
from 2007 to 2010, the concept Spira4U is innovative, it is a very light
vehicle that exists in petrol or electric version.
In development for almost 10 years the
Spira4U is a three-wheeled vehicle that welcomes one passenger, the electric
version is scalable and begins with a power of 10 kW, the petrol version is
equipped with a 150 cc engine.
The electric version is slightly heavier
than the petrol version that weights only 200 kg, the secret lies in its
construction made from honeycomb composite for the chassis, the body is in
fiberglass and lightweight foam (20 cm thick at the front and 10 cm at the back
and on the sides). Thanks to this construction the car floats, and an
amphibious version is under development.
The petrol version costs US$ 5,000 with
the 150 cc Wangye Chinese engine. The electric version is announced from US$ 9000
with a 10kW motor, a second motor can be installed for an additional cost of US$
1,500, even if the vehicle already reaches 100 km/h with only one engine.
The basic 72amp battery pack allows to
the 10kW model to travel up to 115 km, the add-on pack that doubles the range
costs US$ 3,500. Recharging takes four hours but designers Spira4U also think
about the battery swap for a prompt exchange.
Lon Ballard founder Spira4U exhibits on
the NAIAS an initial set of (pre) production units in order to find support and
financing!
