Arcimoto Pulse is the latest tiny three-wheeled electric vehicle to be unveiled
Arcimoto Pulse– Click above for high-res image gallery
Hey, look! It's another quirky three-wheeled electric vehicle. This time, we're talking about the recently-revealed Arcimoto Pulse, a tandem two-seat electric car that looks something like a Zap Alias that's been through a compressor, or perhaps a Toyota Yaris that's gone through a chef's mandolin. The company's website says that the trike uses a 96-volt power system and a DC electric motor that puts out 80 ft. lb. torque. The vehicle has a top speed of 55 mph and a range somewhere between 50 and 100 miles (the number has an unexplained asterisk on the company's website). Arcimoto, based in Eugene, Oregon, says the Pulse gets an estimates 190+ mpg, but how they arrived at that number is anyone's guess.
Price? Not set yet, but it will be "under $20,000" and an example of your very own can be reserved with a $500 fee ($450 of which is refundable). The first 300 Pulses are due late next year.
Gallery: Arcimoto Pulse
[Source: Arcimoto]
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Electric Motor | Advanced DC 80 ft·lb torque |
| Charging | 110 volt/15 amp, charges in 6 hours |
| Transmission | Independent 7.5:1fixed ratio |
| Front Suspension | Double A-Arm, coil oveshock suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Swing Arm |
| Brakes | 3-wheel manual disc brakes, mechanically actuated parking brake |
| Seating Capcity | 2 |
| Fuel Tank | Nope! |
| Fuel Economy MGPe est. | 190+ |
| Range* | 50 - 100 miles |
| Top Speed | 55 mph |
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BoxerFanatic 5:41PM (9/28/2009)
I'd rather have a Carver, that actually tilts like a bike, or a variation that still tilts, with two articulated wheels up front, and a single driven wheel in the back.
Square tires and no-tilt... no thanks. 4-wheels work just fine that way.
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James 6:36PM (9/28/2009)
Looks like a stillborn Toyota Yaris...
PumaGTO 5:54PM (9/28/2009)
why am I having a deja´vu in this post?
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Chris 5:57PM (9/28/2009)
190+mpg and a range of only 50 to 100miles?
It only has a 1/2gal tank?? They can't even fit a whole gallon of gas in there??
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bfenner 6:01PM (9/28/2009)
Chris,
Now that a really funny observation!!! Thanks,
Rich 6:19PM (9/28/2009)
...if by "funny" you mean "unobservant".
It's electric. The only gas tank is the bowel of the driver.
Parlay84 6:16PM (9/28/2009)
Why does feel like im looking at half of a Toyota Barfis
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montoym 6:25PM (9/28/2009)
I defintely see the front of a Yaris there.
All in all, this looks to me like one of the worst photoshopped "renderings" I've ever seen. There's not a single part of the image that looks the slightest bit real to me.
Rich 6:18PM (9/28/2009)
Looks claustrophobic. There are better ways to package two seats.
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cool_ozzyfromkalush 6:41PM (9/28/2009)
Why not do it the other way around, two wheels at the back and one at the front and make it tilt
*Carver* cough... I would LOVE to have one of those...
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stevenkinney72 6:31PM (9/28/2009)
It looks like a Toyota Yaris that got caught in a food processor.
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TimO 6:59PM (9/28/2009)
That rearend + oddly placed wheel look ridiculous.
They really need to upgrade to a junior college educated graphic designer.
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BoneHeadOtto 7:14PM (9/28/2009)
if you are going to photoshop a car, dont start with a Yaris!
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jon 2:17AM (9/29/2009)
half a yaris...
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Bleen 5:23AM (9/29/2009)
Well, in some ways it IS a Yaris. This car appears to use most of the door assembly from the 3-door, and the headlights from the sedan. I also saw a few interior photos and it uses some of the door trim from the 3-door as well. On the other hand, I think the rear 3/4 windows are from a Ford Mustang? :-D
Frankencar...
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Luso 7:17AM (9/29/2009)
Is anyone else in the UK thinking 21st century Fools & Horses?
http://www.carnorama.com
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Spiffster 10:41AM (9/29/2009)
Cool, its got a spare tire in the back!
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katiewh 4:57PM (9/29/2009)
It is a real vehicle. It's also a prototype that looks and feels quite similar to what our final vehicle will look like. At the time we took the photo, we didn't have windows and had to photoshop windows into the picture.
The current battery pack (AGM Lead Acid batteries) will have a 50 mile range. We will be offering battery upgrades (Li-Ion) that will extend the vehicle range to 100 miles.
Our intention is to offer a commuter vehicle that has many of the comforts of an internal combustion engine car and is accessible to the masses (thus the under $20K).
Katie Wilson-Hamaker
VP Marketing, Arcimoto
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