The Venturi Volage concept is, hopefully, finally coming to fruition. Unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, the Volage is a collaborative effort between Venturi Automobiles and Michelin tires. This union of allowed Michelin to trial its truly innovative “Active Wheel” technology, which incorporates 2 electric motors per wheel, one for drive and one for suspension duties.
The Venturi Volage was slated for production in 2012. However, as we edge closer to the new year, there hasn’t been any news. The price is still uncertain, but the Volage will likely be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars due to its unique technology and finite, hand-crafted nature.
Below are some detail and interior pictures of the Venturi Volage from the 2010 North American International Auto Show Pictures. Credit to Gizmag:
Technical specifications
* Type: 2-seater roadster, 4 wheel drive Michelin Active Wheel
o 4 wheel-motors with max power of 55 kW (220 kW total)
o Max torque: 232 Nm (4 x 58 Nm) from 0-8,500 rpm
o Liquid cooling
* Suspension: Electric shock absorber on each wheel, of the “Michelin Active Wheel” type
o Technology: Polymere Lithium
o Energy: 45kWh
o Weight of batteries: 350 kg
o Liquid cooling
o Life-span of batteries: over 1,500 cycles
o Regeneration system via deceleration
* 80% recharge
o With external recharge booster (10 kW): 4 hours (220 V-16 A T)
o With onboard charger: 8 hours (220 V-16 A mono)
o Central unit: composite materials, carbon sandwich / aluminium honeycomb, pressure-sealed
o Front and rear mesh: aeronautic steel
* Brakes: Discs and specific calipers, incorporated into the Michelin Active Wheels
o 0-100 km/h : < 5 s
o Range at 90 km/h: 320 km
o Top speed: 150 km/h
o Length: 3965 mm
o Width: 1949 mm
o Height: 1235 mm
o Front gauge: 1525 mm
o Rear gauge: 1626 mm
o Wheelbase: 2702 mm
o Front tyres: Michelin 205 40 R18
o Rear tyres : Michelin 235 45 R18
o Total weight: 1,075 kg