Archive
Thank you for rating this article
Star Cars: Venturing into the Future
2010-06-18 13:32
Since 2001, Monaco-based car company Venturi has been involved in pushing the boundaries of electric vehicles, testing the most advanced technological solutions across a range of vehicles, from urban transport to high-performance cars.
President of Venturi Automobiles, Gildo Pallanca Pastor, had the idea of buying up the Venturi brand and turning it into a name that would be internationally recognized for innovation in electric cars. The company produces several futuristic models, from the Eclectic city car to the Volage Ultimate - built in collaboration with Michelin - which first appeared at the Mondial 2008, via the Astrolabe solar, and the Fétish, the first production electric two-seater sports car, created in a limited edition of just 25, and priced at €297,000.
Less of a fashion statement than a way of life, eco-driving is becoming increasingly common. Hybrids are replacing gas-guzzling 4x4s both on the open road and in town. And when you end up actually producing power by driving, you know there's something in the air. Sounds like science fiction? It's all too true: the Eclectic is not only fitted with a translucent roof comprising a 2.5 m2 photovoltaic panel, but also an optional wind-turbine.
The Eclectic, a 3-seater city car, has a range of 50 kms and if there's no sun or wind, the NiMH battery pack can be recharged from the mains in 5 hours. And what's more, it can be driven from the age of 16. 'The Eclectic is for two different markets: individuals, and corporate fleets for organizations or perhaps parks or hotels which want to advertise an environmental image. It's ideal for Monaco, and soon other manufacturers are bound to follow in our footsteps' says representative Marianne Holland, who herself travels in the greenest possible way - on foot...
The company's most recent innovation is a collaboration with Citroen, the Berlingo First Electric, powered by Venturi. It's a small utility vehicle that will surely go a long way ... a very long way. In 1932, André Citroën drove from Paris to Shanghai, and starting on 2 May 2010, the Venturi/Citroen electric van (above) will pay homage to that epic adventure by undertaking the journey in reverse, arriving in Paris in July. Appropriately, it will begin its journey at the Shanghai World Expo, whose theme is Green Living. The trip has the blessing of Prince Albert of Monaco, who was presented with a vehicle last November.
The same van has been shortlisted for the supply of 500 vehicles to the French Post Office. So in future you may have to listen more closely for the arrival of your mail - like all electric vehicles, it's practically silent.
Eva Esztergar