TheGreenCarWebsite.com reports: A new rival to the Renault Twizy may be about to become the finest electric quadricycle we have yet seen.
The new Colibri, produced by German firm, Innovative Mobility Automobile (IMA) boasts a solid body, unlike its Renault rival as well as a range of up to 68 miles on just a two-hour charge from an ordinary, domestic plug socket (undercutting the Twizy by an hour and a half and beating its range by at least six miles).
The new fully electric one-seat quadricyle is expected to be priced from around €8,900 (around £7,420) with a €55 a month battery lease (£46) when it arrives on the market in Germany from next year.
What makes the Colibri special is that it has been designed with safety at the foremost of its designer’s minds, despite its dinky dimensions and is expected to be the first model in its class which will pass a Euro NCAP crash test thanks to the use of a rigid safety shell. With a full body, rather than exposed, open sides, the model should also be a lot more comfortable to drive in cold or wet conditions.
Just 2.8 metres long and just over 1.1 metres wide, the Colibri is extremely compact and can easily fit two abreast in a single parking space.
The model is also rather attractive; featuring sports car style gullwing doors which not only look good but make access into the cabin that much easier. Another feature which makes this concept pretty cool, is its ability to recharge from public charging stations which IMA claim allows the model to charge to 80 per cent battery capacity in just 20 minutes – something that its Twizy rival cannot do.
Fitted with 6.5 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate batteries and developing peak power of 24 kW, this electric concept achieves a top speed of 74mph and sprints from 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds – pretty darn impressive for a quadricycle. IMA claims the batteries will last for around 2,000 charge cycles – enough for around 137,000 miles or eight years.
There is also 180 litres of boot space in this three door model, meaning room for a couple of smallish holdall bags or a couple of small crates and a bag.
When charged with electricity from the German grid, it emits the equivalent in well-to-wheel emissions of just 29g/km CO2 per kilometre.
Since the model debuted at the Geneva Motor Show last year, IMA says it has already attracted over 700 pre-orders – about half from private users and the other half are business customers including fleet operators and nursing services.
The Colibri is due to go into series production in late 2015. Sadly we don’t know whether it will make it to the UK, but here is hoping!
The new Colibri, produced by German firm, Innovative Mobility Automobile (IMA) boasts a solid body, unlike its Renault rival as well as a range of up to 68 miles on just a two-hour charge from an ordinary, domestic plug socket (undercutting the Twizy by an hour and a half and beating its range by at least six miles).
The new fully electric one-seat quadricyle is expected to be priced from around €8,900 (around £7,420) with a €55 a month battery lease (£46) when it arrives on the market in Germany from next year.
What makes the Colibri special is that it has been designed with safety at the foremost of its designer’s minds, despite its dinky dimensions and is expected to be the first model in its class which will pass a Euro NCAP crash test thanks to the use of a rigid safety shell. With a full body, rather than exposed, open sides, the model should also be a lot more comfortable to drive in cold or wet conditions.
Just 2.8 metres long and just over 1.1 metres wide, the Colibri is extremely compact and can easily fit two abreast in a single parking space.
The model is also rather attractive; featuring sports car style gullwing doors which not only look good but make access into the cabin that much easier. Another feature which makes this concept pretty cool, is its ability to recharge from public charging stations which IMA claim allows the model to charge to 80 per cent battery capacity in just 20 minutes – something that its Twizy rival cannot do.
Fitted with 6.5 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate batteries and developing peak power of 24 kW, this electric concept achieves a top speed of 74mph and sprints from 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds – pretty darn impressive for a quadricycle. IMA claims the batteries will last for around 2,000 charge cycles – enough for around 137,000 miles or eight years.
There is also 180 litres of boot space in this three door model, meaning room for a couple of smallish holdall bags or a couple of small crates and a bag.
When charged with electricity from the German grid, it emits the equivalent in well-to-wheel emissions of just 29g/km CO2 per kilometre.
Since the model debuted at the Geneva Motor Show last year, IMA says it has already attracted over 700 pre-orders – about half from private users and the other half are business customers including fleet operators and nursing services.
The Colibri is due to go into series production in late 2015. Sadly we don’t know whether it will make it to the UK, but here is hoping!
