What you see above is not the T.27, it's the latest mule version of the aforementioned T.25, but the newest member of the growing Gordon Murray Design family will borrow heavily from the lessons learned with that project. In order to achieve their target of "most efficient EV in the world," they plan to ditch a lot of what we take for granted in EV's. and are partnering with Zytek, one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of electric motors in the world, to develop and all-new motor and gearbox for the car. It'll also use simplified lightweight construction the same iStream manufacturing process planned for hte T.25. In other words, when we cut through all the hullabaloo of a formal announcement, it's probably an EV version of the T.25. [DailyMail]

Jut in case you aren't too stoked at the idea of hopping into an EV Cube with your enviro-bros and hitting the wheat grass bar to talk about how evil corporations are, Nissan is developing other offerings on the B-platform beside the asymmetrical square prism. The Tiida is the Versa in the US, and rides on the same platform as the Cube, meaning electrification isn't a terribly complex task, this particular image of a test car, though on the low-resolution side, proves the point. So instead of hipster-chic you get bland and goofy geek. Happy EV buying.

Chrysler has submitted proposals for the DOE's "Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative" and the "Transportation Electrification Initiative." Combined, the two programs sit with a grand total of $448 million in total budget and would essentially fund Chrysler's EV development program. How so? Well, they'd use the money to build a mix Dodge Ram PHEV's, Chrysler Town and Country PHEV's, and Town and Country EVs; in total about 365 cars. Those cars would be distributed to select owners and fleets for durability and data collection.

So basically the similar to what GM, Ford, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Honda and pretty much everyone else has been doing for the last few years.

Magna Steyr is better known for building cars, such as the upcoming Mini Crossover, than designing them. This hasn't stopped them from using the Geneva Motor Show as a way to display what the company can do. Last year it was the MILA Alpin Concept. Four years ago it was the Mila CNG Concept. Each generation, sadly, looks less interesting than the previous one.

This vehicle, though a concept, was designed around the electric power-plant and setup to form the basic platform for any and "every" OEM to "realize their own product, drive and design strategies" in a short and cost effective way. The five-door hatch looks like a typical modern concept car hatchback and is powered by a 67 HP motor fueled by a lithium-ion pack developed by the company. It should travel slightly less than 100 miles on a 2.5 hour charge.

Any auto execs reading this and in need of an electric car platform, Ahem, Chrysler, this could be a start.

[Magna Steyr via AutoBlog]

The myriad challenges to building a mass market electric vehicle have been long known to us, and to the OEMs, and to most serious EV enthusiasts (why do you think they just build their own?) but since talking about electric cars seems to be in vogue, the New York Times decided to jump on board. Obviously the actual motors aren't the problem, dipole electromagnetic motors have been around since the 1800's and we've gotten pretty good at building them powerful and efficient. What we aren't so great at yet is batteries. At least, not batteries that can provide high power draws with a 100% duty cycle in extreme environmental situations without catching on fire and blowing up without warning — that's what the engineering and scientific community is feverishly working on right now.

From a technological perspective the only barrier between now and an EV future is a battery that's cheap, reliable, able to charge quickly and last a very long time in environments ranging from the humid Central American jungles to the frozen tundras of Canada. That's the real trouble with EV's, not trivialities cited in the NYTimes like the standard plug used for all cars or how to meter power, those are problems for international SAE committees to deal with (some of which are complete).

As much as we bellyache sometimes about electric cars and the "green revolution," it's mostly rooted in a knee-jerk reaction to lots of talk with little substance. If you've ever driven a full-on electric car you know the powertrain is hugely entertaining, providing better power delivery thanl gasoline or diesel competitors. Electricity is not the problem. What we take issue with are PR campaigns masquerading as electric vehicle programs. Greenwashing has somehow managed to become the new horsepower wars, and with marketing ruling the day over product, the consumer ultimately loses.

If and when the time comes that an electric product presents a better value, performance, and quality proposition than its direct competitors, you can bet we'll be here trumpeting its virtues. Until then, consider us skeptics, no matter how many times we raid the Detroit Auto Show with our own GEM electric car. [NYTimes]

The cars will be part of New York's "Street Condition Observation Unit" or SCOUT (which should really be SCOU, but we're just being pedantic) and used to hunt for taxi-swallowing potholes or the scourge of the city — graffiti. They'll be part of a one year program to beat the ever-loving crap out of the electric MINI's to see how they do in harsh, real-world situations. The conditions in New York will be matched against testing and conditions in Los Angeles, Berlin, and London and will serve to provide BMW's valuable data on the cars, and aid in plans to take over the world with incredibly expensive and almost useful compact cars.

Details on the program below:

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg Announces Use of MINI E Electric Cars provided by BMW Group to City of New York in State of the City Speech

The MINI E is a zero-emissions fully electric car

New York, NY – January 15, 2009, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced in his State-of-the-City speech that BMW Group will loan a fleet of 10 MINI E electric zero-emissions cars to the City of New York. These vehicles will be used in its Street Condition Observation Unit, known as SCOUT, and will be among the 500 MINI Es the BMW Group is producing as part of a one-year pilot field study to determine the viability of electric vehicles in real life use. The MINI Es will be used by SCOUT inspectors who drive New York City's streets in search of street conditions, such as potholes and graffiti. The vehicles are scheduled to begin arriving in April.

The MINI E is the first product of BMW's Project i, a program designed to research and develop transportation strategies and new types of vehicles specifically to meet the needs of the world's growing mega-cities, of which New York is one.

"We are delighted to work with New York City in developing this new form of sustainable transportation," said Jim McDowell, Vice President of MINI USA. "Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC initiative has demonstrated a keen understanding of the importance of sustainability and we fully share the same vision and enthusiasm for developing new ideas, technologies and forms of transportation to make it a reality. This MINI E zero-emission vehicle is only our company's first step."

The MINI E can travel more than 150 miles on a single charge and provides the agility and handling of a MINI Cooper. It is powered by a 150 kilowatt electric motor with the equivalent of 201 hp. The energy supply comes from a high-performance rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The vehicle, which debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 95 mph. MINI will install a special wall box into each MINI E customer's garage that can fully recharge a completely drained battery in just two-and-a-half hours.

The 500 MINI Es will be deployed in New York and New Jersey and Los Angeles metropolitan areas with additional vehicles being tested in Berlin, Germany and London, England. Of the 500 U.S. vehicles, 450 will be leased to customers that applied online at MINIUSA.com to be part of the one-year field study. The others will be dedicated to full-time extensive and intense daily use in select fleets, such as the NYC SCOUT fleet. Those selected will be asked to provide ongoing real world use feedback to BMW on their experience with the zero-emission electric cars. More than twice the number of people applied as there are cars available in the U.S.

BMW has also arranged to provide MINI Es to the city of Los Angeles to test the MINI E in conditions different from those in New York City.

In New York City, the MINI Es will serve as SCOUT vehicles and be deployed across the five boroughs beginning this spring for one year. The vehicle operators help identify problems on New York City streets and ascertain whether complaints logged into the City's 311 phone system are being adequately addressed. SCOUT vehicles log nearly 100 miles per day.

[Source: MINI]

In person, the EV is pretty much a Lotus Europa with a crosshair grille, but we actually like the Dodge styling cues that come from the taillights and rear fascia better than Lotus’s own items. It’d be interesting to see a more Dodge-like take on the headlights, which are our least favorite part of the Europa design. Still never going to be made? Yep.

The Press Release Follows:

Dodge Circuit EV

• Dodge Circuit EV: Brand new version of all-electric sports car boasts unique, fearless Dodge design
• All-electric vehicle delivers sports car performance with zero gasoline consumption, zero tailpipe emissions and 150-200 mile driving range

The Dodge Circuit EV displays bold exterior and interior styling with outstanding performance, zero gasoline consumption and zero tailpipe emissions.

The Dodge Circuit EV design screams pure sports car from every angle. The Dodge Circuit EV’s profile demonstrates perfect proportions for balanced handling, placing the driver and passenger midway along the wheelbase. At the front of the vehicle, the distinctive Dodge crosshair grille splits the wind, sending it over the long, low hood and cleanly over the windshield and cockpit. The body sides feature a deep scallop, providing visual depth and also a functional rear-brake air duct. At the rear, the functional elements blend with design to create a uniform finish.

“The exterior styling of the Dodge Circuit EV mates bold Dodge styling to the no-compromise performance attributes of an all-electric performance sports car,” said Ralph Gilles, Vice President – Design, Chrysler LLC. “The Dodge Circuit EV offers an extremely fun-to-drive, expressive sports car without fuel consumption and with virtually no impact on the environment.”

The Dodge Circuit EV is adorned in all-new “Tangoreen” exterior color, wearing large “EV” graphics on both sides of the sports car.

The uncomplicated interior of the Dodge Circuit EV delivers a combination of pure function and athletic refinement. The cockpit design puts complete control of the car at the driver’s fingertips. Nestled within a leather-covered instrument cluster are two primary analog-face gauges. A digital display conveys information regarding the electric-drive system.

The seats feature deep bolsters and are covered in premium leather. The same premium leather covers the center console and the width of the instrument panel.

The Dodge Circuit EV delivers all of the convenience features of a performance sports car, including premium sound system, power windows and door locks, air conditioning, speed control.

Propelled by a completely electric ENVI drivetrain, the Dodge Circuit EV posts impressive performance numbers:

• 0-60 mph in less than 5 seconds
• _-mile in 13 seconds
• Top speed of more than 120 mph

Perhaps the most impressive Dodge Circuit EV number, however, is zero. That’s how much gasoline the vehicle consumes while providing exhilarating sports car performance. It’s also how much tailpipe emissions are produced.

The Dodge Circuit EV utilizes just three powertrain components. These include a 200 kW (268 horsepower) electric motor to drive the wheels, an advanced lithium-ion battery system to power the electric-drive motor, and a controller that manages energy flow.

Working with the latest advanced lithium-ion battery technology, the Dodge Circuit EV has a driving range of 150 to 200 miles between charges – more than triple the average daily commute of most consumers. Recharging the vehicle is a simple one-step process: plugging into a standard 110-volt household outlet. The recharge time can be cut in half by using a typical 220-volt household appliance power outlet.

The Dodge Circuit EV offers driving enthusiasts a performance sports car that can be driven to work every day – without consuming gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions.

Dodge Circuit EV – Vehicle Specifications

Vehicle Type Battery Electric Vehicle,
2-passenger performance coupe

Weight and Dimensions
Length 153.5 inches / 3900 mm
Width 67.5 inches / 1714 mm
Height 45.3 inches / 1150 mm
Wheelbase 91.7 inches / 2330 mm
Track front / rear 57.4 inches / 1457 mm 58.7 inches / 1490 mm
Turn circle 38.0 feet / 11.6 m

Powertrain and Suspension
Layout Rear-wheel drive
Motor Power: 200 kW (268 hp)
Regenerative braking
Battery Lithium-ion battery
Suspension Front - Independent
Rear - Independent

Wheels and Tires
Tire size front P195 / 45ZR17 23.9 inches / 607 mm
Tire size rear P235 / 40ZR18 25.4 inches / 645 mm

Color Scheme
Exterior Tangoreen
Interior Black Leather with Satin Silver accents

Key Performance Attributes
0-60 mph (0-100 kph) less than 5 seconds
Standing _-mile low-13 seconds
Top speed greater than 120 mph (approximately 193 kph)
All-electric range 150-200 miles (approximately 241-322 km)

The Chrysler 200C EV Concept is a rolling test bed for Chrysler’s future uconnect in-car computer and communication device. It also connects directly to an iPhone, allowing you to preprogram the temperature, lock the doors, allow you to view an in-car camera remotely (pervy parents rejoice) and track the car’s location live via GPS – all straight from the iPhone.

Underneath the hood, Chrysler says the 200C could use either the ENVI EV extended range powertrain or the new Phoenix V6. the concept is rear wheel drive, but they say it could easily be adapted to a front wheel drive production car, which seems a more likely prospect. Of all the Chrysler products revealed at the show, this is the most likely to reach production. Whether or not it’ll have an extended range EV powertrain remains to be seen.

As we mentioned last night, the Circuit EV is basically a Lotus Europa with some body work and the mysterious Chrysler EV pack. The similarity, especially given the small size, is undeniable up close. We'll get into the "engine bay" if it isn't glued shut.

On Tuesday, we told you Dodge was prepping a more Dodge-like EV for the Detroit Auto Show. That original Dodge EV was just a Lotus Europa with the Lotus badges pried off and Dodge's rams glued in their place. There were apparently some batteries too. So on Tuesday we speculated that "more Dodge-like" meant they’d pried off the Lotus grille and swapped it with a crosshair item. We present the Dodge Circuit EV.

But that’s not the whole story, the Circuit isn’t just a restyled Europa, it’s a restyled Europa with an electric motor that Chrysler will never produce. Why? The combination of Lotus Europa and prototype electric drivetrain would prove far too expensive both to develop and to sell to customers. The Tesla Roadster, which is only now reaching customers after two and a half years of delays, is based on the cheaper Lotus Elise and still retails for a shocking $109,000.

So why build it? To convince investors, dealers, tax payers and the government (there’s a shocking overlap among those groups) Chrysler has some sort of future. Whether or not it does will depend on much more realistic products than the Circuit.

The full press release, complete with made up numbers, follows:

Dodge Circuit EV

• Dodge Circuit EV: Brand new version of all-electric sports car boasts unique, fearless Dodge design
• All-electric vehicle delivers sports car performance with zero gasoline consumption, zero tailpipe emissions and 150-200 mile driving range

The Dodge Circuit EV displays bold exterior and interior styling with outstanding performance, zero gasoline consumption and zero tailpipe emissions.

The Dodge Circuit EV design screams pure sports car from every angle. The Dodge Circuit EV’s profile demonstrates perfect proportions for balanced handling, placing the driver and passenger midway along the wheelbase. At the front of the vehicle, the distinctive Dodge crosshair grille splits the wind, sending it over the long, low hood and cleanly over the windshield and cockpit. The body sides feature a deep scallop, providing visual depth and also a functional rear-brake air duct. At the rear, the functional elements blend with design to create a uniform finish.

“The exterior styling of the Dodge Circuit EV mates bold Dodge styling to the no-compromise performance attributes of an all-electric performance sports car,” said Ralph Gilles, Vice President – Design, Chrysler LLC. “The Dodge Circuit EV offers an extremely fun-to-drive, expressive sports car without fuel consumption and with virtually no impact on the environment.”

The Dodge Circuit EV is adorned in all-new “Tangoreen” exterior color, wearing large “EV” graphics on both sides of the sports car.

The uncomplicated interior of the Dodge Circuit EV delivers a combination of pure function and athletic refinement. The cockpit design puts complete control of the car at the driver’s fingertips. Nestled within a leather-covered instrument cluster are two primary analog-face gauges. A digital display conveys information regarding the electric-drive system.

The seats feature deep bolsters and are covered in premium leather. The same premium leather covers the center console and the width of the instrument panel.

The Dodge Circuit EV delivers all of the convenience features of a performance sports car, including premium sound system, power windows and door locks, air conditioning, speed control.

Propelled by a completely electric ENVI drivetrain, the Dodge Circuit EV posts impressive performance numbers:

• 0-60 mph in less than 5 seconds
• _-mile in 13 seconds
• Top speed of more than 120 mph

Perhaps the most impressive Dodge Circuit EV number, however, is zero. That’s how much gasoline the vehicle consumes while providing exhilarating sports car performance. It’s also how much tailpipe emissions are produced.

The Dodge Circuit EV utilizes just three powertrain components. These include a 200 kW (268 horsepower) electric motor to drive the wheels, an advanced lithium-ion battery system to power the electric-drive motor, and a controller that manages energy flow.

Working with the latest advanced lithium-ion battery technology, the Dodge Circuit EV has a driving range of 150 to 200 miles between charges – more than triple the average daily commute of most consumers. Recharging the vehicle is a simple one-step process: plugging into a standard 110-volt household outlet. The recharge time can be cut in half by using a typical 220-volt household appliance power outlet.

The Dodge Circuit EV offers driving enthusiasts a performance sports car that can be driven to work every day – without consuming gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions.

Dodge Circuit EV – Vehicle Specifications

Vehicle Type Battery Electric Vehicle,
2-passenger performance coupe

Weight and Dimensions
Length 153.5 inches / 3900 mm
Width 67.5 inches / 1714 mm
Height 45.3 inches / 1150 mm
Wheelbase 91.7 inches / 2330 mm
Track front / rear 57.4 inches / 1457 mm 58.7 inches / 1490 mm
Turn circle 38.0 feet / 11.6 m

Powertrain and Suspension
Layout Rear-wheel drive
Motor Power: 200 kW (268 hp)
Regenerative braking
Battery Lithium-ion battery
Suspension Front - Independent
Rear - Independent

Wheels and Tires
Tire size front P195 / 45ZR17 23.9 inches / 607 mm
Tire size rear P235 / 40ZR18 25.4 inches / 645 mm

Color Scheme
Exterior Tangoreen
Interior Black Leather with Satin Silver accents

Key Performance Attributes
0-60 mph (0-100 kph) less than 5 seconds
Standing _-mile low-13 seconds
Top speed greater than 120 mph (approximately 193 kph)
All-electric range 150-200 miles (approximately 241-322 km)

[Source Of The Embargo Break: AutoblogGreen]

The aerodynamically styled roadster is allegedly powered by two electric motors — the front optimized for regenerative braking, the rear for acceleration — and using a 35kWh Lithium-Ion battery pack, Protoscar says its new Lamp makes 268 HP and 325 lb-ft of torque, the latter available from 0 RPM. Since standard European outlets are more progressive than their American counterparts, offering 220v of sweet nuclear electricity as standard, quick recharges are available across the continent.

Protoscar says it plans to release more images and info nearer to the Geneva Motor Show. Maybe it’s time Jalopnik got in on the juicing green-targeted venture capital for all its worth game too.

Well, we don’t know for sure. First unveiled in September, the Dodge EV was the first of four smoke and mirrors-like electric concept vehicles developed by Chrysler’s ENVI program. Allegedly, the company claims it'll have one electric vehicle on the road in 2010. To cut costs, instead of developing an all-new model it’s looking to drop some batteries into an existing vehicle. In the EV’s case, that vehicle is the Lotus Europa.

Since that time Chrysler chose to unveil its future product line to a selection of media outlets that purposefully excluded Jalopnik readers. We'd been told one of the vehicles included was an electric version of the Jeep Patriot, but we'd also been told to expect a concept vehicle to be unveiled at Detroit. We guess this is it.

Now, according to the real journalists over at Automotive News, Chrysler plans to show off an updated EV in Detroit next week:

The Dodge EV shown in September was a Lotus-derived electric sports car. Look for the show version to have more Dodge styling cues and possibly be a four-passenger coupe.

Since the Dodge EV was basically just a Lotus Europa with batteries, it stands to reason a four-seat coupe version would be based on the four-seat Lotus Evora. “More Dodge styling cues?” We’re guessing that means they’ve grafted on a crosshair grille.

Is it just us, or is everyone sick of Lotus-based smoke and mirrors electric sportscars? Thankfully, Lotus says it’s developing its own EV, possibly in time for the Geneva Motor Show. [source: Automotive News]

“Don’t be surprised to see an electric Lotus shortly,” Michael Kimberley, the chief executive of Lotus told the Financial Times. “We are working on the technologies that will go behind it. It will become of the showcases for the world of what you can do with electric vehicle technology.”

Unlike the Lotus Europa-based Dodge EV or the Lotus Elise-based Tesla Roadster, Lotus’s own brand EV will be a range extended electric vehicle like the Chevy Volt. That means an onboard gasoline engine will recharge the battery, enabling ranges that extend beyond the capacity of the batteries.

Little else is known about the vehicle, but rumor has it that it could be based on the four-seat Lotus Evora and premier as early as the Geneva Motor Show in March.

With its history of technological innovation and ability to engineer and produce world-beating, small production run vehicles, Lotus could be the company to finally put an honest electric production vehicle in customers driveways and not just on the floor of auto shows. Similar vehicles from Tesla, Fisker and GM are currently little more than vaporware. [The Financial Times via Autoblog]

The pocket-sized all-electric city car will be showing its stuff at the Detroit Auto Show and if history is our guide, Toyota will be dribbling out closeup images of inconsequential parts of the car all the way up to the reveal, just like the new Prius. After carefully doling out images for a few weeks, they'll accidentally spill images of the whole car all over the internet, then they'll keep putting out teaser images like nothing happened. I love what you do for me, Toyota! [KickingTires]

If it hadn’t been sporting the huge Dodge graphics, we could have easily mistaken this for a Lotus Europa; which it really is, yet isn’t. Seriously though, which is it? Chrysler feels your pain (and lots of its own) and has fortunately taken the time to give the little EV a recognizable face comprised of the signature Dodge cross-hair grille, a pair of foglamps and unique headlamps. We expect the Dodge EV to take inspiration from the 2007 Dodge Demon concept in its front-end styling and remain virtually unchanged in its side profile. Fortunately for Chrysler, the Europa somehow managed to resemble a Dodge from the rear, so we’re not expecting any changes from the original Lotus design of the tush-end.

Will this piece of putative vaporware actually make it to production? We can’t say. Given Chrysler’s current financial situation, we don’t think a two-seat electric sports car is the best plan for a Pentastar that, given a few months time, could be Penta-gone.

The Miles Electric is the brainchild of Polo by Ralph Lauren Jeanswear founder and avowed environmentalist Miles Rubin and it has taken a more stealthy approach to the public spotlight. The Highway Speed is an all-electric converted version of the Hafei Saibao 3, a Chinese-made compact that actually passes European safety standards — shocking! Pun intended.

The Miles Electric Highway Speed, which is the unofficial but silly name, draws power from a 37 KW lithium iron phosphate battery pack which charges on 220V power and has enough juice for a 100 mile round trip. The still murky motivating motor reaches a claimed acceleration of 8.2 seconds 0-to-60 MPH with a top speed over 80 MPH. Chassis and battery components are built and assembled in China at the Hafei assembly line while the motor and controller are US made components.

But what's the bottom line on all of this? Price, somewhere in the neighborhood of $40,000 to $45,000, but considering the battery pack exceeds the 20 KW capacity which earns the federal $7,500 incentive, the price becomes a bit more reasonable. But that's not really the bottom line anyway is it? The real question is whether Americans, and Californians specifically, would consider buying a largely Chinese-made electric vehicle built by a company captained by a fashionista environmentalist. [via Hybrid Cars]

We can't help but point out that this statement came the same day that Tesla announced it was going to scale back Tesla Model S production plans until a government loan guarantee becomes effective. Though we fully believe that the Model S from Tesla is undergoing development and have our doubts about the electric Chryslers, this does seem a bit like the electric pot calling the electric kettle black.

World Première New Dutch Car Brand QUICC! Launched at Paris Motor Show Mondial de L'Automobile

HEERLEN, The Netherlands - Mondial de L'Automobile, October 1/PRNewswire/ —

- World Première DuraCar, Mondial de L'Automobile 4-19 October

It is a world-first for a Dutch automobile manufacturer to have a world première at the historic Paris fair. DuraCar introduces itself and its first type of the QUICC!, the QUICC! DiVa, at stand 426 in hall 3.

100 % Electric and Plastic

DuraCar launches a unique car on the market: the QUICC! DiVa. The QUICC! DiVa is not only fully battery electrically powered, body and chassis of the car are entirely made of plastic. The QUICC! DiVa is green, economical and its compact design was developed for urban traffic purposes. In 2009 the car will be launched on the market.

Professor Dipl.-Ing. Johann Tomforde

At the Paris Fair DuraCar shows a technically optimized prototype, with new Lithium ion batteries and a completely new electric drive train. Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Johann Tomforde, spiritual father of the SMART ForTwo, is jointly responsible at DuraCar's for the ongoing designing process of the QUICC! in preparation for mass production in 2010.

Innovative Applications for QUICC!

- Lithium ion Iron Phosphate batteries
- Bipolar lead battery (new lead battery technology)
- Bio-Methanol Reformer Fuel Cell technology
- Plastic body and chassis; application of new Cradle to Cradle plastics

QUICC!

DuraCar has developed a fully electrically powered distribution van applying an integrated set of breakthrough technologies. This distribution van, developed specifically for inner-city traffic, carries the name QUICC! (brand name) DiVa (short for Distribution Van, type name).

QUICC! cars will be packaged with Lithium ion Iron Phosphate battery packs or a special bipolar lightweight lead battery pack, ensuring a top speed of 120 km/h and range of 150 km, when the average urban distribution van covers some 50 km per day.

Zero PM10s, Zero CO2, Practically Silent

The unique differences between QUICC! and vehicles equipped with conventional combustion engines are all too clear: an average energy consumption of no more than 1 to 2 euros per 100 km, zero PM10 emissions and practically silent. DuraCar mainly focuses on the commercial market, especially on cars used for inner-city distribution, as cities have the highest percentage of air quality problems.

World Première

The new Dutch car brand QUICC! will have its official world première at the 2008 Paris Motor Show Mondial De L'Automobile, starting 4 October and ending 19 October. It is a world-first for a Dutch automobile manufacturer to debut in Paris. It is with great pleasure that DuraCar invites you to come and visit stand 426 in hall 3 at the Fair.

Prototype QUICC! DiVa

In Paris DuraCar will introduce its first prototype, with its optimized drive train technology practically ready for small-scale production. In cooperation with selected clients this small-scale pilot series will be tested making as many trial kilometres as possible. In the spring of 2009 the building of the series will be launched.

Design in the Hands of Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Johann Tomforde

Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Tomforde, famous as an automobile developer with a vision and chief designer and technology specialist at SMART, joined the management team a few months ago and is now responsible for the ongoing designing of QUICC! In cooperation with the first generation of QUICC! launching customers and in an interactive development process, this internationally recognized automotive specialist will optimise the total concept, the design and the safety of the lightweight construction for mass production. Main clients will get the opportunity of actually contributing to the process.

By the end of 2010 the European cities will be the stage for clean mobility with large numbers of 100 % electric drive train QUICC!s.

More information: http://www.quicc.eu and http://www.mondial-automobile.com.

DuraCar Holding B.V.

DuraCar is a Dutch-based company occupied in the development of modern and sustainable automotive concepts. DuraCar's main shareholder is Econcern. Econcern's mission is "sustainable energy supply for everyone" and supports the development of this innovative concept. DuraCar introduces QUICC!, its first automotive concept, in Paris. The QUICC! DiVa is the first type of a series to be launched by DuraCar, but more are to follow under the brand name QUICC!

More information: http://www.duracar.nl, http://www.quicc.eu, http://www.econcern.nl

http://www.quicc.eu

[Quicc!]

Update: The contest got a shot in the arm when GEM offered an iPod Touch to the winner. As a result we've reopened the contest to all interested. For details and rules check out the new and improved GEM Peapod Photoshop Contest: Now With iPod Touch Grand Prize