Revealed: Velozzi SOLO, a crossover plug-in hybrid with multi-fuel micro turbine technology

Velozzi, the minds behind the sleek "environmentally friendly, plug-in, multi-fuel electric hybrid" sports car we've heard about since 2007, has released a rendering of its new SOLO crossover vehicle. The powerplant of this theoretical ride would be a plug-in hybrid "with an on-board multi fuel micro turbine battery charger manufactured for the global market," according to the company. The sportscar also uses the micro turbine technology, which can burn pretty much anything from gasoline, diesel, ethanol, methanol, butanol, biodiesel to natural gas.

An important difference between the new crossover and traditional vehicles, Velozzi says, is that the SOLO will be built with its eco-powerplant in mind. That means lightweight materials – including carbon fiber nano tubes – and a modular design. Velozzi is also promising "to create a most exquisite interior to match the exterior styling of the Solo." Performance numbers include a 100 mpg goal, a 0-60 time of six seconds and a top speed of 130 mph. While we've been looking at nothing but renderings of the Velozzi vehicles for years now, the company is saying it will move to mass production "by late 2011 – early 2012."

UPDATE: An earlier version of this post said that Velozzi is working with ETV. This was incorrect.

[Source: Velozzi]

PRESS RELEASE:

Velozzi unveils the "SOLO" crossover.

The SOLO will be a lightweight plug-in hybrid electric crossover with an on-board multi fuel micro turbine battery charger manufactured for the global market.

July 22, 2009

Los Angeles, Calif. –(Business wire)- Velozzi proudly releases the much anticipated image of its crossover. The SOLO.

The SOLO has been designed to be the most environmentally efficient, lightweight, luxurious, and attractive car of today. Some of the Velozzi vehicles' main attributes and benefits are their modularity and light weighting capabilities capitalizing on new ways to manufacture vehicles. Most of the new EV/Hybrid electric vehicles being built today are using the same type of construction as in the past. "It is inconceivable and counter productive to manufacture efficient vehicles using antiquated types of construction. To make an efficient, environmentally friendly vehicle one must utilize lightweight materials to improve MPG, reduce pollution and increase safety," indicates Velozzi CEO, Roberto Velozzi. The Velozzi vehicles are being designed and developed to take advantage of the modularity that lightweight materials can provide. Modularity and the usage of lightweight materials allow for easier assembly and reduction of manufacturing cost, bringing the savings to the consumer. Velozzi will be using innovative materials that allow the designer the freedom to create its vision without being limited by traditional automotive materials. In addition, the Velozzi vehicles will be the first production cars to utilize carbon fiber nano tubes in their construction. Carbon Nano tubes can increase the mechanical properties of the components by 40%, improving the parts' performance while reducing weight. Most of the materials applied in the Velozzi cars construction are reusable, which decreases the Velozzi vehicles carbon footprint.

Velozzi is known in the auto industry for its beautiful designs, but it is not satisfied with just this fact. Velozzi is building more efficient, affordable and safer vehicles. Velozzi brings this passion to market with the Solo. In today's world, a car is an extension of the end user life style and it is important for Velozzi to provide its costumers with a vehicle of which they can be proud. Luxury is a must in the Velozzi vehicles. Velozzi will work with its team members to create a most exquisite interior to match the exterior styling of the Solo.

The SOLO, while spacious like an SUV, will have the performance of a sedan. Velozzi was born from racing and as such, brings Formula 1 technology and know-how to build its crossover to reach a level of performance comparable only to high-end exotic vehicles.

The Velozzi super car and the SOLO will be in the first production cars in the world to use a multi fuel micro turbine battery charger to re-charge their bed of super capacitors and Lithium ion batteries. A brief description of the Velozzi vehicle technology is as follows. The Velozzi cars are Plug-in Multi fuel Hybrid Electric vehicles. The vehicles are true electric cars in nature and are powered by a combination of lithium ion batteries and super capacitors, which in turn, are recharged by an on-board multi fuel micro turbine battery charger or by the electrical grid. Some of the fuels that could be used by the Velozzi vehicles include gasoline, diesel, ethanol, methanol, butanol, biodiesel and natural gas to mentioned a few. The vehicles will also have the ability to reverse its polarity and serve as a power generator, able to power equipment and even a home if necessary. Regenerative braking will capture kinetic energy when slowing the vehicles improving its range. Embedded computers, operating transparently to the user, will control all functions. The driving experience will be identical to a gas power vehicle. The SOLO will reach 100 MPG, 0 to 60 MPH in the 6 Sec and top speed of 130 MPH.

To accomplish this lofty goal, Velozzi has assembled a world-class team of scientists, designers and car builders. In addition, top OEM tier-one suppliers have joined Velozzi in its efforts. The idea is to engage and involve the suppliers early on, from the concept-design stage. Velozzi has 17 global OEM suppliers as part of its incredible accomplished team to help build the Velozzi super car and the most anticipated crossover, The SOLO. This list of talented companies will be shared with the public via press releases in the near future. See our website (www.velozzi.org) for a partial list of OEM suppliers.

Velozzi is setting up to start mass production of its cars by late 2011 – early 2012. We are actively pursing investments and governmental assistance to build the cars of tomorrow, today. Join the Velozzi green revolution.