It's been two years since we first met the Venturi America on this very Paris Motor Show floor, and we're still in love with the idea of an electric car that is as capable on the street as it is on the trail. Venturi Automobiles says it is only making 100 of these door-less electric enduro cars, but despite its name, none of them are to be sold in the U.S.
Venturi calls the America a "high-riding sports car," and on paper, we're willing to agree on both counts based on the car's looks and its specs. The styling of the America is what we might imagine a collaboration between Smart and Jeep, with the two-passenger car looking every bit the part of a modern street-legal dune buggy, right down to its ample ground clearance and open cockpit design. In terms of its performance, the Venturi-developed electric powertrain is said to produce 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, which is pretty great for a 3,100-pound car. There are also three driver-selectable modes (Cruising, Sport and Super Sport), so the car's dynamic settings allow the driver to choose between maximum driving range and maximum performance. Powered by a 53 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, the America has a driving a range of around 186 miles (presumably in Cruising mode) with a top speed of 124 miles per hour.
Since we're likely never to see a Venture in America on our shores, you'll want to check out our image gallery and videos of the live reveal and an advertisement featurette below. If nothing else, the latter will give you the chance to brush up on your French.
Venturi calls the America a "high-riding sports car," and on paper, we're willing to agree on both counts based on the car's looks and its specs. The styling of the America is what we might imagine a collaboration between Smart and Jeep, with the two-passenger car looking every bit the part of a modern street-legal dune buggy, right down to its ample ground clearance and open cockpit design. In terms of its performance, the Venturi-developed electric powertrain is said to produce 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, which is pretty great for a 3,100-pound car. There are also three driver-selectable modes (Cruising, Sport and Super Sport), so the car's dynamic settings allow the driver to choose between maximum driving range and maximum performance. Powered by a 53 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, the America has a driving a range of around 186 miles (presumably in Cruising mode) with a top speed of 124 miles per hour.
Since we're likely never to see a Venture in America on our shores, you'll want to check out our image gallery and videos of the live reveal and an advertisement featurette below. If nothing else, the latter will give you the chance to brush up on your French.
America High Voltage Buggy
"Some dreams never leave you.
That of driving a unique sports car, powerful yet silent, through amazing scenery for example; or of tasting the incomparable pleasure of a smooth and precise driving experience that offers excellent acceleration, while in perfect harmony with nature.
The America was born for wide open spaces."
Sacha Lakic, designer of the America
A new definition of sports car
The product of 12 years of technological innovation from Monaco's Venturi Automobiles, the America forges a new path for exceptional electric vehicles. A high-riding sports car, the America is a zero-emission crossover designed for adventure. The America combines the performance, balance and handling of a sports car with a high body, tire mounting and open cockpit inspired by buggies.
Engineered for pleasure and extremely versatile, the America has broken free of the town, taking in a multitude of new playgrounds. Whether on mountain roads or by the sea, along forest paths, rocky trails or dusty tracks, the steady acceleration and the power of this modern "muscle car" provides the same feeling of freedom.
"The America is a contemporary sculpture in movement, both simple and sophisticated, and charged with emotion : the purpose of each one of its curves is to give both visual and tactile pleasure."
Venturi Electric Powertrain
The America is fitted with the latest model of Venturi's electric powertrain.
With a power output of 300 hp (220 kW) and 400 Nm torque, the VM300–400 engine offers immediate and steady acceleration, up to a maximum speed of 200 km/h*.
The ability to select different driving modes draws on the best of the VM300–400 by allowing the driver to switch between 'cruising', 'sport' and 'super sport' to favor range or torque.
Exclusive Battery Pack To realize the full potential of the VM300–400, Venturi has specifically developed a 53 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, which guarantees a genuine range of up to 300 km*.
Charge time: 4 hours with external booster (20 kW), 10 hours from single-phase socket (230V – 32A).
Carbon ChassisSpecially developed to house a large number of batteries, Venturi's monocoque carbon chassis provides optimal protection for both the battery pack and passengers.
* on race track
* at a stabilized speed of 90 km/h
Tailored in Monaco
Exclusivity
The America is assembled in France at the Manufacture de Véhicules Electriques (Electric Vehicle Plant) in Sablé sur Sarthe. Each America has a custom finish applied at Venturi Automobiles' headquarters in Monaco, from where the vehicle is delivered to the customer. The America's production run is limited to 100 individually numbered vehicles.
Warranty and support
The America is guaranteed for two years, and benefits from ongoing support through regular diagnostics carried out over a simple Wi-Fi or GPRS connection.
Expertise
Venturi Automobiles tests its systems in extreme conditions, or by creating technology demonstrators: unassisted voyages, extreme vehicles, distance records, speed records across all modes of propulsion*... With a certain audacity, Venturi is pursuing the development of the principles, methods and tools of sustainable mobility, without sacrificing any of the pleasures of driving. The America is the perfect illustration of this approach.
* Venturi Global Challenges on venturi.fr
Tecnhical Specifications
Type
High-riding electric sports car
2-seater
Rear wheel drive
Electric powertrain: VM300-400
Powertrain specially designed by Venturi
Power: 220 kW (300 hp)
Torque: 400 Nm (de 0 à 5000 rpm)
Technology: 3-phase PMS (Permanent Magnet Synchronous)
Driving modes
Cruising (low adherence) for maximum range
Sport for the best torque / range compromise
Super sport for maximum torque
Battery system
Pack developed by Venturi
Electronic BMS developed by Ventec
Technology: Lithium Ion Polymer
Energy: 53 kWh
Performance
Top speed: 200 km/hr (on race track)
Range: 300 km at a stabilized speed of 90 km/hr
Recharge time (80%)
4 hrs on an external charging system (20 kW)
10 hrs on a 230V-32A monophase charger
Structural composite carbon-nida monocoque chassis
Composite carbone bodywork
Weight: 1,425 kg
Dimensions:
Length: 4,121 mm
Width: 1,960 mm
Height: 1,386 mm
Wheelbase: 2,672 mm
@venturi
www.venturi.fr
VenturiAutomobiles
"Some dreams never leave you.
That of driving a unique sports car, powerful yet silent, through amazing scenery for example; or of tasting the incomparable pleasure of a smooth and precise driving experience that offers excellent acceleration, while in perfect harmony with nature.
The America was born for wide open spaces."
Sacha Lakic, designer of the America
A new definition of sports car
The product of 12 years of technological innovation from Monaco's Venturi Automobiles, the America forges a new path for exceptional electric vehicles. A high-riding sports car, the America is a zero-emission crossover designed for adventure. The America combines the performance, balance and handling of a sports car with a high body, tire mounting and open cockpit inspired by buggies.
Engineered for pleasure and extremely versatile, the America has broken free of the town, taking in a multitude of new playgrounds. Whether on mountain roads or by the sea, along forest paths, rocky trails or dusty tracks, the steady acceleration and the power of this modern "muscle car" provides the same feeling of freedom.
"The America is a contemporary sculpture in movement, both simple and sophisticated, and charged with emotion : the purpose of each one of its curves is to give both visual and tactile pleasure."
Venturi Electric Powertrain
The America is fitted with the latest model of Venturi's electric powertrain.
With a power output of 300 hp (220 kW) and 400 Nm torque, the VM300–400 engine offers immediate and steady acceleration, up to a maximum speed of 200 km/h*.
The ability to select different driving modes draws on the best of the VM300–400 by allowing the driver to switch between 'cruising', 'sport' and 'super sport' to favor range or torque.
Exclusive Battery Pack To realize the full potential of the VM300–400, Venturi has specifically developed a 53 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, which guarantees a genuine range of up to 300 km*.
Charge time: 4 hours with external booster (20 kW), 10 hours from single-phase socket (230V – 32A).
Carbon ChassisSpecially developed to house a large number of batteries, Venturi's monocoque carbon chassis provides optimal protection for both the battery pack and passengers.
* on race track
* at a stabilized speed of 90 km/h
Tailored in Monaco
Exclusivity
The America is assembled in France at the Manufacture de Véhicules Electriques (Electric Vehicle Plant) in Sablé sur Sarthe. Each America has a custom finish applied at Venturi Automobiles' headquarters in Monaco, from where the vehicle is delivered to the customer. The America's production run is limited to 100 individually numbered vehicles.
Warranty and support
The America is guaranteed for two years, and benefits from ongoing support through regular diagnostics carried out over a simple Wi-Fi or GPRS connection.
Expertise
Venturi Automobiles tests its systems in extreme conditions, or by creating technology demonstrators: unassisted voyages, extreme vehicles, distance records, speed records across all modes of propulsion*... With a certain audacity, Venturi is pursuing the development of the principles, methods and tools of sustainable mobility, without sacrificing any of the pleasures of driving. The America is the perfect illustration of this approach.
* Venturi Global Challenges on venturi.fr
Tecnhical Specifications
Type
High-riding electric sports car
2-seater
Rear wheel drive
Electric powertrain: VM300-400
Powertrain specially designed by Venturi
Power: 220 kW (300 hp)
Torque: 400 Nm (de 0 à 5000 rpm)
Technology: 3-phase PMS (Permanent Magnet Synchronous)
Driving modes
Cruising (low adherence) for maximum range
Sport for the best torque / range compromise
Super sport for maximum torque
Battery system
Pack developed by Venturi
Electronic BMS developed by Ventec
Technology: Lithium Ion Polymer
Energy: 53 kWh
Performance
Top speed: 200 km/hr (on race track)
Range: 300 km at a stabilized speed of 90 km/hr
Recharge time (80%)
4 hrs on an external charging system (20 kW)
10 hrs on a 230V-32A monophase charger
Structural composite carbon-nida monocoque chassis
Composite carbone bodywork
Weight: 1,425 kg
Dimensions:
Length: 4,121 mm
Width: 1,960 mm
Height: 1,386 mm
Wheelbase: 2,672 mm
@venturi
www.venturi.fr
VenturiAutomobiles
Featured Gallery Venturi America: Paris 2012
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