Author Topic: 155mph car gets 186mpg and costs £7500 (Read 2103 times)

beet1e · « **on:** May 20, 2006, 12:34:38 PM »

A new car called the Loremo was introduced at the Geneva motor show, where it proved to be a huge hit. It is claimed that the car can achieve 155mph but still achieve 186mpg. Article here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,7-2066293.html The article is dated March 03, 2006 - and I must admit I did check to see that is wasn't dated April 01!

See what you think. Do you think this car could be popular where you live? The article extends over two pages. Be sure to read both.

Quote

"Tobias thinks that car owners are ready to get over their own prejudices. “Seven or eight years ago there were no SUVs. Today every mother is told that she can’t get the kids to school unless she drives a tractor. And yet 80 per cent of SUVs are single occupancy."

Hangtime · « **Reply #1 on:** May 20, 2006, 12:59:04 PM »

I went out of my way and deeper into my pocket to make sure my loved ones drive a vehicle that has a chance of surviving a t-bone accident with an SUV.

I'd put 'em in Abrams tanks and gladly pay the fuel costs if i could.

Anybody that puts their loved ones into an econo-box is playing the worst kind of roulette...

... I await with intrest the development of the car in Europe. I suspect there will never be an american version as I can't see how it could possibly pass the saftey standards as designed.

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 20, 2006, 01:12:54 PM »

Decent idea, but the car is pretty much useless. It'd be unable to carry anything, tow anything, or do anything but get you from point a to b.

So why would I buy it then?

moot · « **Reply #3 on:** May 20, 2006, 01:14:01 PM »

First thing I thought was how I could add a rollcage.. what's that saying?
"Fast, cheap, reliable."

J_A_B · « **Reply #4 on:** May 20, 2006, 01:42:13 PM »

It weighs roughly 1000 pounds. That immediately renders it totally unsafe as a vehicle and little better than a deathtrap. I suppose it's better than a motorcycle.

On the other hand, it's potentially useful as a technology demonstrator. I'm all for developing new technology, because while it might start out in a useless or undesireable form, further improvements may result in a truly road-worthy car. The Ford Model T isn't really road worthy by today's standards, either, but it was an important step in technological progression.

Unfortunately, the article mentions little about the technology. It simply goes on and on about the designer. The first thing I want to see is whether this car actually works as well as advertised--with a 180 MPG claim (british gallons I assume), it's up to them to prove it.

J_A_B

FUNKED1 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 20, 2006, 02:02:41 PM »

Nice ride. Light weight is the way to go.

deSelys · « **Reply #6 on:** May 20, 2006, 02:36:21 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by J_A_B
It weighs roughly 1000 pounds. That immediately renders it totally unsafe as a vehicle and little better than a deathtrap.

Bullcrap. Weight doesn't equal safety. A lightweight car can be much better at crash tests than juggernauts, it is all in the design and the material used (agreed, R&D and modern lightweight materials aren't cheap).

My grandfather died in 1969 in a 1.2 ton Volvo Amazone that was designed like a tank. He went head-on into a less than 1 ton Opel. The Opel driver lived.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #7 on:** May 20, 2006, 03:19:46 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by lasersailor184
Decent idea, but the car is pretty much useless. It'd be unable to carry anything, tow anything, or do anything but get you from point a to b.

So why would I buy it then?

IF this thing is as cheap as they say and it gets that good of MPG then the savings of using it as a commuter car to get to and from work would probably make the payment for you. That way I can leave my truck at home and use that for hauling and what not. Doesn't sound like a bad idea to me, especially if you have more than an hour one way commute per day.

Bronk · « **Reply #8 on:** May 20, 2006, 03:45:44 PM »

With 0-60 being 20 and 9 seconds for the standard/GT respectively.
It would probably not sell in the US market.
Just my opinion.

Bronk

Gunslinger · « **Reply #9 on:** May 20, 2006, 04:42:05 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Bronk
With 0-60 being 20 and 9 seconds for the standard/GT respectively.
It would probably not sell in the US market.
Just my opinion.

Bronk

What does a Geo metro or a stock civic (4cyl) get?

If I bought this as my comuter car i'd care less what the 0-60 was on it.

J_A_B · « **Reply #10 on:** May 20, 2006, 04:49:10 PM »

"My grandfather died in 1969 in a 1.2 ton Volvo Amazone that was designed like a tank. He went head-on into a less than 1 ton Opel. The Opel driver lived."

1.2 tons?

J_A_B

john9001 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 20, 2006, 04:53:10 PM »

i'm not allowed to drive at 155mph.
------------------------------------------
small cars are death traps?

i have been driving small cars for many years and the only time i get hit is when the car is parked in a parking lot. ( probably by some 3 ton "safe" car.)

it's not the car, it's the driver.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #12 on:** May 20, 2006, 05:14:44 PM »

I like the analogy of a pencil. It's hard to smash lenghtwise so the steel gurder Idea sounds like a winner. I'd like to see some actual tests though.

The market is ripe though for a small, safe, affordable, commuter car that gets oustanding fuel economy. If one could develop and market such an idea in the US they'd make a fortune. I could give two craps about luxury as long as it is upgradable with aftermarket components.

Hangtime · « **Reply #13 on:** May 20, 2006, 05:17:39 PM »

A 40mph crosswind gust will fling a little 1000 lb car doing 60 mph off the road like a potato chip flicked by a sneeze.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #14 on:** May 20, 2006, 05:19:53 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Hangtime
A 40mph crosswind gust will fling a little 1000 lb car doing 60 mph off the road like a potato chip flicked by a sneeze.

It'll do the same to a jeep doing 60. Trust me I've been there. The sad part is the Jeep gets 13mpg.

(edit: no lugnut comments required sir...they've all been replace.)