| Work Detail |
Electra Meccanica Vehicles Corporation (EMV) today unveiled its new 2017 SOLO electric vehicle (EV) at the Luxury and Supercar Weekend event held at the VanDusen Botanical Garden. After years of development, this one-person, innovative commuter vehicle is now available for the public to experience for the very first time. Fully-refundable deposits for the SOLO can be placed online at electrameccanica.com for delivery in 2017. The entire team here at Electra Meccanica is excited to unveil the SOLO at the Luxury and Supercar show, states Jerry Kroll, CEO of Electra Meccanica. Most people had a good idea of what the SOLO would become, but they will be impressed by its clever design and meticulous attention to detail. It far exceeded our expectations. The idea for the SOLO spawned when CEO Jerry Kroll, founder of KleenSpeed Technologies, first started developing advanced electric race cars at the NASA Research Park in Mountainview, California in 2007. Kroll was joined by long time automotive friend Henry Reisner, President of Intermeccanica Inc. to develop a fresh, new EV concept and the first Electra Meccanica prototype was completed in January of 2015. With decades of car building expertise, Electra Meccanica''s COO, Henry Reisner, is clear on his impression of the new SOLO. It has appeal for driving enthusiasts, practical commuters and the environmentally conscious, said Reisner. We believe the SOLO will become the commuter vehicle of choice for the masses. The vehicle is non-polluting, very economical to operate and people will have a heck of a good time driving it too. Electra Meccanica strives to be the driving force behind sustainable transport in creating the compelling, mass-market SOLO. The vehicle will make the urban commute more efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly. The bespoke vehicle is not intended to replace the family car, but to supplement the driving experience getting commuters where they need to go at minimal expense and harm to the environment. The SOLO''s purpose-built design took into consideration that approximately 80 percent of people commute to and from work alone in their personal vehicle(1). And with the average daily round trip commute being less than 60 km (40 miles), the SOLO likely won''t require a charge between home and office due to its 160 km (100 mile) range. Powering the SOLO is a 16.1 kWh lithium ion battery and the drive system is tuned for enthusiastic driving. The chassis is made of a composite aerospace lightweight material combined with an aluminum drivetrain which both contribute to an overall vehicle weight of approximately 1,000 lbs. The SOLO design team used data from wind tunnel simulations to achieve greater aerodynamic efficiency giving it a drag coefficient of .24, which is less than the Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 911. The SOLO also comes with a universal power connector which enables connection at both quick charge and standard stations. From zero to full charge, the highly efficient battery system requires only three hours of charging time on a 220 volt charging station and approximately twice that on a 110 volt system. The AC synchronous electric motor powers the SOLO''s rear wheel creating 140 lb-ft of torque and a top speed of 130 km/h (80 mph) for spirited driving on the open road. The single seating configuration provides a fun-to-drive experience not found in any other vehicle and the 82 hp powerplant accelerates the vehicle from 0-100 km/h (0-60 mph) in under eight seconds. At ten feet (120 in/ 3.04 m) in length, the SOLO is approximately 14 inches longer than a Smart ForTwo and 19 inches shorter than a Fiat 500. With a wheelbase of 80.5 in (2.04 m), a height of 50.5 in (1.28 m), a front width of 47.6 in (1.21 m) and a low-slung, single-seat configuration, the vehicle has a planted stance and a streamlined profile. The SOLO comes standard with 15 aluminum alloy wheels in either Anthracite Grey or Platinum Silver and they are fitted with 155-60 R15 (Front), 175-55 - R15 (Rear) Continental all-season tires. For a compact vehicle, the SOLO''s carpeted cargo space is ample at 285 liters (10 ft3), which is approximately as much as a Mercedes Benz C300(2) Coupe. This volume provides room enough for an airplane carry-on size bag in the front storage area and the equivalent volume of a large shopping cart in the rear compartment. Because the SOLO''s origins were born from custom coach builder Intermeccanica, we know that interior craftsmanship is key to the driving experience. The SOLO''s cabin offers outstanding appointments inclusive of an LCD digital instrument cluster, AM/FM stereo with Bluetooth/USB connectivity, and adjustable seating configurations. Creature comforts include heating, optional air conditioning, window defogger and a ventilation system as well as power windows, remote keyless entry and a rear view backup camera. At launch, the SOLO will be available in the following four primary colors derived from Electra Meccanica''s corporate palette: Titanium Silver, Electric Red, Raven Black and Arctic White. On the exterior, the SOLO is equipped with bi-halogen headlamps, daytime running lights and heated mirrors for a driver-centric view of the road. Stopping power comes courtesy of all-wheel disc brakes supplied by Wilwood and an electric parking brake. Electra Meccanica offers a comprehensive bumper-to-bumper warranty package for two years of unlimited mileage and a five-year battery warranty. The SOLO retails at $19,888(3) in Canada, which is approximately $15,500 in US dollars using today''s currency conversion rate. The SOLO is an affordable and fun to drive EV for an environmentally conscious global population. |
