Updated stats and new pics of the all-electric $70,000 UEV Spyder
We first spied the Spyder from Universal Electric Vehicle last December at the sports car's Santa Monica unveiling. UEV just emailed AutoblogGreen an updated spec sheet and some new pictures of the car under sunny skies and who are we to sit on something like this. Enter the photo gallery by clicking on the image above or the thumbnails below.
To recap what the Spyder is all about, it's an all-electric two-seater that will be available for around $70,000 (plus $30,000 more for lithium ion batteries, last we knew) with a top speed of 100 mph and a range of 70-150 miles (250 with li-ion). Check out the rest of the numbers after the break, and flash back to meeting the car for the first time here. And check out our video interview with designer Greg Lane.
Gallery: UEV Spyder
Related:
- Alt Car Expo: Electrum Spyder electric roadster unveiled. We've got pictures
- Alt Car Expo: Video of the Electrum Spyder and interview with the designer, Greg Lane
Electrum Spyder
The Electrum Spyder is an exciting two passenger convertible all electric freeway flier that is available in a limited production. Powered by a 300 vdc system, the Spyder provides an effective range of up to 150 miles at a top speed of approximately 100 miles per hour on a full charge using Nickel Metal Hydride batteries, standard in all of our vehicles. As with all of our Electrum series, the Spyder can be upgraded to lithium ion batteries with a range of up to 250 miles on a single charge.
Equipment• Removable hardtop
• Tinted glass
• Electric heater/defroster
• A/C
• Alloy wheels
• Tilt steering wheel
• Rack & pinion steering
• Electric windows
• Optional Touch screen navigation, CD, DVD, XM
Electrical Systems
• Propulsion batteries (nickel zinc batteries / optional (nickel metal hydride, lithium ion)
• On-board high frequency battery charger (240v or 120v charger), approximate charge time 1-6 hr. Depending on usage and discharge.
• 300 VDC
• Safety Features
• Layered composite construction
• Large front and rear crunch zone
• Enclosed battery safety containers
• Inertia switch (cuts power automatically in case of an accident)
• Four wheel disk brakes
• Coil over shocks
• Redundant interlocks (will not allow car to power up unless driver is in the driver's seat)
(Specifications are subject to change without notice)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kardax 7:41PM (5/09/2007)
I don't think this car will ever see production.
You can tell by the absence of roll protection that they haven't even -thought- about crash testing yet, a requirement of highway-capable vehicles in the U.S. And yet they're already taking orders. This borders on fraud.
Sadly, it does say a lot about the EV marketplace when one guy can drop an electric drive train into a kit car and get all this publicity for it...
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Devin Lussier 12:12PM (5/10/2007)
At $100,000 for the Li-Ion version what on earth would make somebody choose this over a Tesla Roadster, especially considering the base price for a Tesla with Li-Ion is only $92,000?!
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Jeff Gustafson 1:28PM (5/10/2007)
The cars specs alone sound good but in the end would anybody spend $100,000 to have one of the ugliest cars on the road?
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Paul 1:53PM (5/10/2007)
And 2900 lbs.??? Lost about 900 (or at least 500!) and it'd be not only faster, but have a longer range. Kardax is right, we'll never see this thing in production....
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Paul 1:54PM (5/10/2007)
That should be 'Lose' 900 lbs, not 'Lost'....stupid spelling! :)
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William C Kennedy 2:18PM (5/10/2007)
Beautiful vehicle! I wonder what motivates any negative comments above? This is a beautiful vehicle that has received some acclaim in previous shows. William C. Kennedy
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viridari 2:45PM (5/10/2007)
This isn't a $70K car. This is yet another vaporware electric car that may or may not sell for $70K.
Given its specs and its appearance, I'm guessing this is likely the last we will hear of it.
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jstand6 4:53PM (5/10/2007)
Posted by Kardax: "You can tell by the absence of roll protection that they haven't even -thought- about crash testing yet, a requirement of highway-capable vehicles in the U.S. And yet they're already taking orders. This borders on fraud."
Take a look at the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, Ford Mustang, and Pontiac G6 convertibles, just to name a few. Roll protection isn't found on any of those street-legal, in-production cars either. The only government requirement is that the windshield assembly can support the static weight of the car.
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Mulad 5:18PM (5/10/2007)
Eep, I had no idea there weren't roll bars on the Sky/Solstice. I thought they had pop-up units at least, but I guess not... Anyway, back to your regularly-scheduled AutoblogGreeening (or is that AutoGreenBlogging?)
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Kardax 7:21PM (5/10/2007)
jstand6: You're right, I officially retract my comment about roll protection.
I'm still concerned about safety, though. Pretty pictures of the car in the sunlight are nice and all, but personally I like to see cars smashed, crushed, and mangled--and if the occupants would survive it. Tesla and Phoenix have both provided such photos. UEV has not.
I agree with everyone's marketing concerns...I like that UEV is providing realistic performance numbers, but it's also priced in the same market segment as the absolutely-superior Tesla Roadster.
Of course, both the Tesla and the Spyder are still vaporware at this point, but if either of these two cars has a chance for mass production, the odds highly favor cash-rich Tesla.
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Tysto 8:16PM (5/11/2007)
Kardax-- You're still showing your panties. This thing is a tank compared to any motorcycle. I wish safety matrons would stop being the first to post on new technology.
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Kardax 10:32PM (5/11/2007)
Tysto: As a 4-wheeled freeway-speed car, _by_law_ it must satisfy many safety standards if it is to be sold.
Don't flame me, flame the U.S. government.
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Pat 6:19PM (5/13/2007)
I think you all have nothing better to do than complain. It's a beautiful car and if you buy a sports car WHY would you wonder about how you'd do in a crash. Sports cars,in general, are so small I wouldn't even dream of what would happen in a crash.Drive careful and enjoy the (green) ride.
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Ernie 12:47AM (10/20/2007)
Kardax: As a four-wheeled freeway-speed car, by law *Porsche* needs to demonstrate the crashworthiness of the Spyder. If you ask, I'm sure they'd send you a video.
This guy took an already crash-tested frame, removed the engine and replaced it with an electric one, leaving all of the safety features intact. You *are* allowed to do that without getting it re-crash-tested.
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