Loremo debuts 150 mpg concept car in Geneva
German startup Loremo AG will debut its concept car at the Geneva Motor Show this week. "Loremo" is derived from "low resistance mobile," and embodies the company's philosophy of efficient transportation that consumes minimal resources during both production and operation. In practice, this means lightweight, aerodynamic vehicles with phenomenal fuel efficiency.
The Loremo will be offered in two models, the LS and GT. The LS is powered by a 20 hp, 2-cylinder turbodiesel, while the GT gets a 50 hp, 3-cylinder unit. Both are 2 2, mid-engine/RWD configurations with a 5-speed gearbox. The GT will go from 0-62 mph in 9 seconds, but the real strength of the Loremo is fuel efficiency - the GT consumes only 2.7 liters per 100 km, while the LS needs only 1.5 liters/100 km. According to my calculator, the LS will go over 150 miles on a gallon of diesel! More after the jump.
Light weight and low drag are the watchwords for Loremo - the LS weighs only 990 lb, with a Cd of 0.2.
According to Loremo, the LS will be priced at about $13,100, while the GT will sell for less than $18,000. The company calculates the all-in operating costs (depreciation, maintenance, insurance, fuel) of the LS model over six years to be a parsimonious 23 cents per mile. Unfortunately, the Loremo isn't scheduled for production until 2009.
[via Le Blog Auto]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 12)
michael 9:03AM (2/21/2008)
LOL, great concept but this car will NEVER be sold in the U.S.
1st off the car is waaayy too light and will not meet U.S. crash standards. FYI our standards are much, much more stringent than europes. Which is one of the main reasons why we don't have mini cars here. At less than 1000lbs this car will easily be blown off the road in stormy weather. Also, it doesn't have near the hp neccesary to have air conditioning. I don't care if it could get 500mpg. I would never drive to work in a 150 degree oven. I've got $$$ that says those mileage figures were either cpu simulated or achieved on a level highway at constant speed. The real figures will be alot less. Last time I checked a 300lb, 250cc bike couldn't get 150mpg. Physics don't lie.
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Engineering 101 6:32PM (3/16/2008)
Michael, I hate to burst your bubble, but unless Congress does some fancy footwork, its coming next year. And with the prices for gasoline and diesel we have now, much less next year, I see quite a few people taking a look at these cars. The Smart for 2 already has dealers lined up, and this vehicle looks better.
You've got to remember diesel isn't gasoline. That's why big rigs are diesel--more oomph per gallon. A/C will work--it did in my little Honda 600 (that was a car, not a bike).
And speaking of size, my little Honda 600 kept me out of a few wrecks because of its size. Smaller target, and more road-stable than the Honda Civic I replaced it with.
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Suzi 7:49PM (3/21/2008)
The real problem: Lots of people will want this car. Then the 13-20K price will be a joke. The dealers will screw you. !3K--Ha, try 18-20K. Why? Well, they can get it from you! Damn them, damn the fools that will pay it. Their great economy will be screwed by their fad drive to have something cool at any cost. "I have one and you don't. I am special"--special as in nut burger.
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NyK 7:43AM (5/12/2008)
Words have been said that this car is not going to pass U.S standards. that should be changed for the future. There is going to be a time where humanity will need to change somthing, why can't they do it now.
The pople who reject this car and the perpous its being made for then should find something better to do. As for me I'am not looking to pay for 8$ a gallon. I eaven get 35 mpg on my infiniti g 20.
P.S i am dissapointed that the U. S did not come out with an idea like that. Looks like they have been out smarted. Some people would say if America is not going to do it no body else will. Well sorry to say IF THE U.S is not going take action in this someone will, and already has.
Strom 4:53PM (2/27/2006)
The important (for us) question is - will it be available in the USA?
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cuda 5:51AM (11/21/2007)
I doubt if this car will be available to the general public in the United States.Just like the same cars that get better gas mileage can not be gotten.They will find a reason to ban it.Too light too cheap.Can't take profits from the pigs don't you know.
bozena 5:51PM (2/24/2008)
I would be glad to purchase such a car for the pries anounces, please keep me informed.
ready to serve as a rep in North Carolina
Tyler 9:47PM (2/26/2008)
yes this will be coming to the USA. it will be coming next year sometime. they havent specified when though.
Brent 4:58PM (2/27/2006)
Not the most attractive vehicle, but I'd sacrifice looks for that kind of economy any day.
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rip 5:21PM (2/27/2006)
Well, it looks small, ugly, slow, and unsafe(unless it is using some sort of exotic composite for bodywork...if so, replace unsafe with expensive).
It's easy to design a car purely for fuel economy. As evidenced by this car. Unfortunately, there are other constraints like safety, performance, style, practicality, and comfort.
Interesting corporate philosophy though.
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AJ 2:23PM (2/25/2008)
Beauty is most certainly in the eye of the beholder. Of course, I'm just an old lady . . . but I think it's really attractive. I'd buy one in a hot second, and THEN figure out how to get my 70-year-old limbs in the thing. Right now I drive an '82 deisel Mercedes and believe me, the acceleration is not as good as this one. In the 25 years I've driven this car, I've learned to compensate. It merges very well. If I can learn how to do it, ANYONW can.
virgil3 3:42PM (4/06/2008)
get a clue .There are saftey standards that have to be meet to sale a car in the US.If you dont like it dont by it and stay out of the chat rooms .Dillhole
Gunnar Heinrich 5:23PM (2/27/2006)
The Loremo is like a sleek version of GM's failed EV1. I truly wonder if they scrapped every last one of those cars.
http://www.automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com
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Rich Palmer 9:55PM (11/22/2007)
The EV1 did not fail. It was torpedoed by big oil and poor management by GM. Mobil oil now owns the rights to much of the EV1 technology. Unfortunately yes, they were all destroyed. See "Who killed the electric car"
Strom 5:47PM (2/27/2006)
#3 (rip) - Did you actually go to the website?
"Small" - What vehicle with good mileage isn't? It still seats 4.
"Ugly" - I actually kind of like it. It's definitely not as ugly as a Prius.
"Slow" - The GT version goes 0-60 in 9 seconds (actually pretty good for the power), and still gets about 90 mpg.
"Unsafe" - "Loremo's linear cell structure meets all static requirements to crash safety and driving dynamics. This structure weighs only 95 kg and consists of only few sheets metal parts and can thus be produced at very low cost. The structure has been patented in many countries (patent no. PCT/EP98/01114)."
There's more, too, but it sounds like you didn't even check the site out.
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Joe 10:40AM (11/22/2007)
Lightweight = Unsafe is UNTRUE!
How about a Indy Car, ~1500 pounds.
go from 200+MPh to 0 in 0.0 seconds by crashing into a wall, and yet walk away from it.
but because it's light it's un safe,, yeah,,
Edsel 6:08PM (2/27/2006)
Interesting design but some features could be problematic. If you must enter the vehicle from the front, like an old BMW Isetta (sp?), doesn't this pose an extraction problem in front end collisions? Also, the 450-470kg weight kinda light for the interstate?
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rip 7:44PM (2/27/2006)
Strom:
No, I didn't go to the site. Mostly because the salient details were provided by autoblog. And because this car won't be available for several years, if at all. And because, like I said, there are lot more factors with vehicles than just fuel economy. So what's your point? Do I need to go to their website to figure out I think the car is slow and ugly?
I'm not sure where your disputing what I said, other than styling, which is a matter of taste.
It may be fast for the hp. But so what. In real life, 0-60 in 9 seconds is slow. Which is also unsafe (merging into a highway for example). So I stand by my comment there.
It may not be small compared to other high mpg cars, but its small compared to all cars. One of the reasons that high mpg cars usually don't sell well here is that they are impractical for most people. The same argument could be made for many sports cars too.
As for it being safe... it might meet static safety requirements, whatever that is. However, there is a simple matter of physics. I'm skeptical of a how a car weighing less than 1000lbs. will do in a crash with a car that weighs 3500lbs. Nevermind how it will do against an suv weighing 5000lbs or a big rig. I'm thinking that in a 30mph crash with a 5000lbs suv this car will launch off the road, if it isn't crushed or shattered. Granted the passenger cell might stay completely intact, protecting the occupants from the initial impact. But they may find themselves flying into a building or flying off a bridge into a river. Or bouncing between cars like a pinball. I think it is too light to be safe. Now if all cars weighed less, this wouldn't be much of an issue.
To be fair, I admit I might be completey off base here. This car might very well be as safe as most cars.
Anyway, did you even bother to read the rest of my posting? ;) I stated that there are lots of factors involved in making a car. This car seems to excel at one and is weak in several others.
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elvin williams 5:22PM (11/26/2007)
Rip
A car is only as safe as the driver.My favorite
ride of all time was a Subaru 360 p/u. 70 mpg
45 mph cruise.NO seat belts,the only thing between you and the rest of the world was 1/16 inch of steel.
You learn to be carefull ie everyone is out to run over you.
Insurance company's rule the world.Try being responsable for your action's,the world will be a better place.
later
Elvin
David 8:05PM (2/27/2006)
0-60 in 9 seconds will allow you to merge, watch the trailers this summer. Three years from now we may be crying for this car if oil continues to creep up. I would give it shot
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