VentureOne: A new angle on hybrids
(Credit: Venture Vehicles)Hybrid cars? Blah. Three-wheeled-cars? Blah. Three-wheeled hybrid cars? Blah.
Tilting three-wheeled hybrid cars? Now that's worth craving. Venture Vehicles has unveiled plans for its VentureOne, a two-seat plug-in three-wheeler with a glass canopy roof that can out-accelerate a Porsche Boxster, and gets 100 miles to the gallon. If that's not enough to get you reaching for your checkbook (estimated price is less than $20,000), then this might be: The VentureOne's passenger compartment and front wheel tilt when cornering for that authentic motocross experience.
(Credit: Venture Vehicles)The VentureOne will come with three engine choices: two gasoline-electric hybrids and one all-electric model. The Venture Q100, the more powerful of the two hybrids, features a series hybrid drivetrain (an internal-combustion engine connected to a 15 to 20kW generator, two in-wheel 25kW electric motors, and a 3kWh lithium ion battery pack), and it boasts a range of more than 300 miles and a top speed of 120mph, according to Venture Vehicles, who designed the car with some help from BMW Design Works among others.
The electric-only Venture EV is motivated by two in-wheel 20kW electric motors and a 17kWh lithium ion battery pack. Like the two hybrid models, the Venture EV features regenerative braking, which serves to convert kinetic energy used in braking back to electricity. All three models will exceed 100mpg in fuel efficiency and will go from zero to 60mph in less than six seconds.
If the thrill (i.e. terror) of tilting into corners at 100mph in a three-wheeled greenhouse on steroids is not enough of a diversion, the VentureOne will come with standard and optional cabin tech features, including GPS navigation, cruise control, and personal entertainment.
