High-performance electric vehicle straight from the fashion runway
Fashion industry stars André and Coqueline Courrèges have produced a third fully-functional EV prototype, the Zooop, a lightweight car that can go 450 km (about 280 miles) per charge and uses "Lithium Polymer batteries that are lighter, have greater power density don't overheat, charge quicker and offer many more recharges" and can reach speeds of 180 km/h (about 112 mph), according to Gizmag.
The Maison de Courrèges, the fashion house run by André and Coqueline is a long-time promoter of EVs, using them in fashion shows since 1969. The duo revamped its EV promotion with the release of La Bulle at the 2002 Michelin Bibendum Challenge, then came out with the EXE in 2004. Typical of their behind-the-scenes involvement with EVs in the past, the Courrèges are not saying what their future plans are in the EV field.
[Source: Gizmag]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
bloodnok 11:23AM (7/11/2006)
it's quite hideous and probably impractical even by e/v standards, but i sure hope they make something like it to sell!
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Eveline Souza 5:01PM (7/11/2006)
Well, this is still a prototype. ZAP has the all-electric city-car called XEBRA already available in the USA. It's not a prototype, ZAP is delivering a bunch of orders to its dealers. To learn more go to www.zapworld.com
Eveline.
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Whiplash 6:43PM (7/11/2006)
It looks like one of those "scrubbing bubbles". Pretty cool specs though.
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Joeysmom 8:34PM (7/17/2006)
I think if this car actually became available to the public, most people would fry in it during the summer months! Besides, how would you open the window to pay a toll? ;)
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ROLAND 8:35PM (7/17/2006)
I'm interested in getting an electric car, but if this is the only kind and color we can expect, I change my mind right now, not on this planet.
Roland
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FRED 8:41PM (7/17/2006)
I don't care how it performs...its cool. I WANT ONE!!!
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Hank 8:57PM (7/17/2006)
I have some basic Questions. 1 How much does it cost? 2 How long do the batteries last? 3 When the batteries are discarded are they a hazardous waste?
4. How many watts of electricity are required to recharge the buggy from full discharge to full charge. What measure of ecological damage would be done by the generation of the electricity necessary to recharge this vehicle by Hydroelectric, coal. Oil, Gas, Nuclear. Since this would add additional power genration requirements to support this vehicle, car for for what would be the net plus if any. and finally have any of the green thinkers thought past theplug? Anyone got the answers to thses questions. Its not solar power so there has tobe a trade off somewhere. Think big one other thing what would be the cost per mile for this vehicle at its current price?
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Silvia 9:12PM (7/17/2006)
Where do you sit? I see the steering wheel but it's against the back of the seat. Also, isn't there a weight minimum? The Renault 2chevaux wasn't legal here because it was too light.
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Ed Slawinski 10:15PM (7/17/2006)
The Smart Car developed by Mercedes is the real ticket. I drove one in Europe and it is definately the right car for short runs in America. Roger Penske is tweeking the car to fit our safety standards and it should be here in two years. If you cross the pond try to take a ride in this hot car. America needs to get away from its dependency on foreign oil and cutting our fuel costs and consumption should be a top priority in the next ten years. Five bucks a gallon is on the horizon so we had better all shape up soon.
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Dana 10:27PM (7/17/2006)
Does it have to be that ugly?
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Yolanda 10:29PM (7/17/2006)
It looks like a bathtub on wheels. Quite hideous!
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Dave 10:39PM (7/17/2006)
Where's the bumpers? Where's the rear view mirrors? Etc. Etc. I can't imagine this car being street legal anywhere but I commend them for furthering the Green cause! We HAVE to find an alternative to gasoline!
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Gary 10:47PM (7/17/2006)
Looks like a giant egg poacher, but, at least it doesn't pollute.
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Gary 10:55PM (7/17/2006)
Drive this thing around Vegas in the summer time and you'll be "well done" upon arrival ..
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Dennis 11:07PM (7/17/2006)
Thanks but no thanks. I'll keep my full size SUV and all the gas it can handle.
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Mildred Michaels 11:34PM (7/17/2006)
Cute car...I can picture me on the L.A freeways...THEY'LL KILL ME!
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Colin 11:34PM (7/17/2006)
Did anyone else notice the orange tires? This is obviously the most important part of the vehicle.
Do they come in any color? Where can I get color-coded tires? Can we put them on spinners?
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Josh 11:39PM (7/17/2006)
It kinda looks like a bright orange horseshoe crab. And you what they say about horshoe crabs. You won't see many of these down south because there is no back seat to bang ur sister. Maybe a three seater, so Dennis or Hank could sit in the middle between myself and a friend and go "skiing". At least it doesn't run on stem cells because creationism is good and abortion is bad. Death to the teachers who teach sex-ed to children!
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niya 11:43PM (7/17/2006)
its ugly but cool. the tires are really ugly and the head lights look like eyes! i dont know its just weird. and it doesnt look safe to keep because someone could break the glass and get in and steal it like a convertible!
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Alaedra 11:43PM (7/17/2006)
i have a few ?s too : if i go over a speed bump, will i get stuck? it looks like it's about 5inches above the ground; is there a s/roof option avail?;if i had a blowout, would i have to buy all new tires, or a new orange tire could be 'rush delivered?'; who makes orange tires?; what is the height max?; does this thing even have cup holders? adapters?; i don't think i would see this thing behind my car at a traffic light and i drive an accord!; how does it open?; can i change the glass color?; where are the windshield wipers?; if it only seats two people, would it be legal for one of those passengers to be an infant?; THIS 'CAR' JUST LOOKS LIKE HELL TO GET IN AND OUT OF...NOT TO MENTION U WOULD ALMOST HAVE TO GET ON YOUR KNEES TO PUT GAS IN IT.....KEEP TINKERING WITH IDEAS FASHION PEOPLE...KEEP TINKERING...
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