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High-mileage Loremo convertible in the works
by Jonathon Ramsey on Dec 29th 2007 at 1:56PM 
The Loremo sedan (LOw REsistance MObile) isn't even here yet -- it's slated for 2009 -- and already the convertible has been announced. The coupe made its debut last year at the Geneva Motor Show, and the claims were grand: 20-HP in the 2-cylinder turbodiesel LS version, 0-60 in 9 seconds, a top speed of 122-MPH, a weight of 990 pounds, a Cd of .20, and 150-computer-simulated-MPG.
Of course the Loremo -- coupe or convertible -- isn't for everyone. The point of the car is to offer style (take that any way you wish), a modicum of luxury, and fuel-sipping economy at a prices between $13,000 and $18,000. The convertible would probably have a slightly higher Cd and therefore slightly worse gas mileage, but if you just get 100-MPG, that'd be all right, no? The convertible version would also probably be easier to get into than sliding over the fenders of the tilt-forward-canopy coupe. The Loremo Cabrio is expected to bow at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show.
[Source: World Car Fans]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
seoultrain 2:39PM (12/29/2007)
i'm assuming the 122mph top speed is the 50hp GT version, which is still suspect. It would need to be incredibly low and narrow (thereby decreasing cross-sectional area). 0.20 COD wouldn't be enough to get it up to that speed.
now how about we drop a V8 in the middle of this thing?
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Blake 4:05PM (12/29/2007)
"You know what this thing needs? More power!!! Arggggrrrrrrr!"
- Tim "The Toolman" Taylor
burnout 6:55AM (12/30/2007)
1985 called....
It wants its cheesy sketches back.
All these highly efficient cars look like ass- dated, bad proportioned, cheesy graphics. This convertible looks like the Mercury Capri that sold oh-so-well!
Spend a few dollars to have a real designer dream up some sexy new vision for 'ground breaking' creation. These vehicles will always look like Chinese knock-offs instead of sexy futuristic cars that people are drawn to. Nothing like wrapping your triumphs in a brown paper bag to show the world how great your product is! Everyone knocks American cars for poor design but look at these dopey-ass bars of soap.
I want my 200mpg (alt fuel, of course!) sexy, futuristic flying car now!! Its like freaking 2008!!
Someone needs to break all of us out of the rut we are in in terms of styling and packaging. These start up companies should be doing that instead of status quo crap!
refugee7 4:35PM (12/29/2007)
"You know what this thing needs? More power!!! Arggggrrrrrrr!"
- Tim "The Toolman" Taylor
LOL. But damn, 9 sec 0-60 is nice for a 20 hp engine. I think it is possible if the aerodynamics are correct. Remember, air resistance and hp are the major factors in top speed. If air resistance is near zero than nice top speed. Also, less than 1000 lbs with what, 20 lb/ft from the diesel?, makes good acceleration. Even if all these are wrong, a 18,000 convertible is a nice addition to the automotive family. Without that last thing, this is just a novelty act.
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k0an 4:49PM (12/29/2007)
Just to clarify, the LS with the 20 HP engine does not go 0-60 in 9 seconds. That is the GT with the 50 HP engine. So, accordingly, the GT does not get 150 mpg, it will get about 87 mpg. Still very awesome, but not quite what is portrayed above.
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refugee7 4:50PM (12/29/2007)
As long as it really is a $18k roadster, that is good.
Antoine Zammit 5:29PM (12/29/2007)
for hell's sake! Could we have the kind honor to know who's makes it!
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Dave 5:53PM (12/29/2007)
http://evolution.loremo.com/content/view/13/47/lang,en/
mk 5:58PM (12/29/2007)
I am betting that this is vaporware that makes the tesla look production ready right now.
even if this somehow gets produced, it'll still be vaporware.
All the power of a small motorcycle, with most of the weight of a car. great.
A bag of groceries will kill the performance of this car. Let alone that these performance figures are probably estimated with a quarter of a tank of fuel, and a horse-racing jockey behind the wheel, and not even a pair of sunglasses in the glovebox.
Talk about a car not being able to get out of it's own way. this thing could actually be a road hazard with such little power.
100mpg means nothing if you can't drive it manageably on public roads. how small are the brakes and tires to get this car to be light enough?
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seoultrain 6:56PM (12/29/2007)
indeed, this is vaporware until Geneva, but ignoring the marketing hype and outrageous specs, it's not outside the realm of possibility to build a very lightweight diesel car. I'm sure the price and weight will go up and the gas mileage rating will drop as this nears production (if it ever does), but this is, in theory, the true fuel-efficient car. The Anti-Prius, if you will.
Granted, an overweight American will add whole seconds to the 0-60 time, but I can only think your mention of groceries and sunglasses is just exaggeration. But such weight sensitivity is the case for any lightweight vehicle. Would you rather make the car heavier so that any weight added is negligible? of course not.
As for drivability, since the engines are diesels, it is likely the torque ratings will be considerably higher than the hp ratings. While diesels may not be so great with testing numbers and at the track (Audi R10 notwithstanding), they have usable low-end power.
I can certainly understand your skepticism about this car, since I share much of it. But it's nice to see a package where such no-brainers in efficiency like diesel engines and light weight are implemented.
tankd0g 1:58AM (12/30/2007)
x2
GT 11:33PM (12/29/2007)
there's already many competitiors in the fuel-econ 2 seater market, like the Smart and a couple of electric car still in R&D at the moment. I think they should build a sedan or SUV to increase their target market..
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SPG 4:15AM (12/30/2007)
I actually like the syling.
I love the idea of the range.
I love the idea of the milege you can get without having to worry about how much it would cost to fix or replace the expensive batteries in a hybrid once it's off warrenty.
But, how would this be in traffic?
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MikeInNC 9:53AM (12/30/2007)
I really like the design of this and especially the Aptera but I need room for at least two adults and one tweener and neither of these gets me there. The aptera has room for 2 + an infant but once they get out of a car seat, you have to buy something else. To be honest if the Aptera had room for 3 adults, I'd already have a deposit on one.
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Dad 1:51PM (12/30/2007)
"point of the car is to offer style (take that any way you wish), a modicum of luxury, and fuel-sipping economy at a prices between $13,000 and $18,000"
Never going to happen, as this is pure hype.
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