The Loremo: Never before has something German sipped so little
Simple, clever, fun. That's the philosophy behind the vehicle you see pictured above, the Loremo (pronounced lo-ray-mo which is short for Low Resistance Mobile). Of course, there's nothing simple about designing and building a car, but there has certainly been a large need for cleverness to meet our current standard of "fun".
Don't let the picture fool you. There's nothing really new here, aside from the impressive 50g/km CO2 figure. This car achieves its high level of fuel efficiency by taking current fuel-saving methods to a level almost beyond reason. A main part of this is weight saving. Every part of the car has been stripped down to its 'bare essentials', including the interior, chassis, wheels and tires, and engine (though oddly enough, it still possesses a navigation system). The designers have optimized its drag coefficient all the way to the width of the tires - wider tire = more friction. This is a good thing, since engine options are either a 2-cylinder 20hp turbodiesel, or a 3-cylinder 50hp turbodiesel. The former will get you to sixty miles per hour in a blistering 20 seconds, while the latter will get you there in 9. Fuel efficiency, however, is very impressive - 1.5L per 100 km (translated 188 mpg). Not too shabby.
The coupe is labeled as a 2+2 because the trunk boot is 'ergonomically shaped' so that two children can fit "comfortably" facing rearward - given, of course, that they don't get car sick. One enters the car by opening the front or rear 'gate' (see gallery). The front lifts the entire nose section from the A-pillar forward, taking the steering wheel with it. According to the website, it's as easy as getting in a bathtub. Uh-huh.
It'll be a while before we can test that out. Production versions of the Loremo won't be available until 2009. Weighing in at just over 990 lbs. to just under 1040 lbs., it might be fun to drive - but is it worth the pain to one's cornea? I mean, I like the headlights and taillights, and even the Tesla-esque nose, but really. The profile doesn't look as though it has evolved past the early sixties. Retro isn't that much back in.
Maybe if I saw one in person... nah.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Greg 10:40PM (2/23/2008)
Such judgementalism by so many commentators here, and on a "green" site. Ugly? How a about a Hummer? Toy? How about monster SUV, or a sports car? Crashworthy? How about a motorcycle?
Slow? Try walking, or a bicycle again.
This is fully modern motorized transportation that makes the smallest carbon foot print possible for an enclosed 4-wheel 4 seat machine. It will travel from point A to B just as fast any other vehicle, granted it will go up hills slower, and acclerate slower, but changing one's frame of mind takes care of that "problem". And those lucky Germans can drive it at 100 mph as well! Austere? yes, and that is charming to me as well. Elegant, functional and effective minimalistic engineering in an age where vehicles have become overwhemingly, impractically, and unnecessarily overweight and complex is quite refreshing.
I'd buy this thing now if I could, and make mine the 2-cyl. >150mpg? YES! please!.
Reply
Max O. Jonas 7:21AM (5/21/2008)
Loremo originally touted the car at an affordable 13K for the LS and 18K for the GT back in '06 when this was first unveiled. Now they smell mega profit. The price I have been reading lately is 18K and 30K respectively. Great car, but may be out of my reach now.
Reply
rohan 8:54AM (7/10/2008)
It is such a small car. Can it really take four people.
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Reply
rohan 8:56AM (7/10/2008)
It is such a small car. Can it really take four people.
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Reply
kittu 1:48AM (11/22/2008)
Argentum Motors to Expand Capacity to Produce 0.4 Million Small Cars
03/7/2008
Argentum Motors is set to expand its capacity for small cars to 0.4 million per annum. Argentum Motors would also start manufacturing 1-2 litre engines to cater to the demand for small cars. The company is creating flexibility at plant to suit a larger range of vehicles. Existing facility, which can produce engines in the size of 1.3-1.7 litre, is being expanded for 1-2 litre. The company was also setting up a new paint shop and an assembly line which would have a capacity of 0.25 million-0.3 million cars per annum at an investment of INR 5,000 million.
Argentum Motors to Infuse $126 Million in Indian Daewoo Facility
12/26/2007
Argentum Motors will infuse INR 5 billion ( $126.8 million) to modernise the facility over the next 18 months as it gears up to host global commercial vehicle maker Daimler for the latter's proposed Low Cost Vehicle (LCV) roll out.
http://investing.businessweek.com/businessweek/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=20407418
Reply
hbestm 6:57AM (12/02/2008)
Auto majors eye sourcing pact with Argentum owned by Ashish Deora and Team
MUMBAI: A couple of European and Asian auto majors including Peugeot-Citroen of France are in talks with Argentum Motors to manufacture components and cars, it is reliably learnt.
Argentum is also planning to invest around Rs 500 crore to upgrade the facility. The three promoters of the company will eventually hold around 12% in the company after the debt is converted into equity and fresh investors are roped in.
“This capacity will attract a large number of global auto manufacturers as the company has all the building blocks for integrated car and component manufacturing,” said an analyst of a Mumbai-based brokerage.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Auto/Auto_Components/Auto_majors_eye_sourcing_pact_with_Argentum/rssarticleshow/2762786.cms
Reply
hbestm 1:41AM (12/10/2008)
IPTV News - Videocon’s Dhoots look to snap up IOL Netcom owned By Ashish Deora
The Dhoot family, the promoters of Videocon Group, has bought 14% equity in IOL Netcom owned by Ashish deora, a Mumbai-based broadband company, from the open market transaction is being perceived by the industry as a take over bid.
In the last two months, Shree Dhoot Trading & Agencies Ltd, an investment company of the Dhoots, has mopped up 11.72% shares in the loss-making firm, earlier known as IOL Broadband. This is in addition to the 1.97% stake that Videocon Realty & Infrastructure Ltd, a Videocon group company, owns in IOL Netcom.
Sources close to the development said the Dhoots have hired an advisor for further negotiations to gain management control of the zero-debt company that was the first in Asia to launch IPTV.
Videocon Group officials have met IOL Netcom president Siddharth Srivastava to discuss areas of mutual cooperation. However, the talks did not cover any buyout proposal.
IOC Netcom offers broadband solutions and IPTV and has set up a 200 km fibre optic network in Mumbai and Delhi. The company, which suffered a loss of Rs 2.14 crore on revenues of Rs 2.19 crore in fiscal 2008, is about to launch its broadband services in Mumbai.
When contacted, Mr Srivastava said that the share purchase by Videocon is not seen as a hostile bid by Netcom, even though there was no understanding between the two companies on the transaction. “We have a wide range of investors with no identifiable group of promoters. This segment is set for a boom and may be the new investors see value in our shares,” he told ET.
Videocon Group chairman Venugopal Dhoot was not available for comments.
Videocon’s synergies with IOL Netcom would include joint development of direct-to-home (DTH) content and internet protocol TV (IPTV) platforms, supply of fibre for the broadband business, besides alliances in marketing, retailing and branding.
The Videocon Group is planning to launch its DTH services across the country by the end of the year. As the DTH business has significant strategic synergies with IOL, the Dhoots are keen on acquiring Netcom, said an industry official familiar with the matter.
The share price of IOL Netcom, has crashed from its peak of Rs 580 as on August 9 last year to Rs 76.50 as on Thursday on the Bombay Stock Exchange. The sharp decline was a good opportunity for the Dhoots to buy into the company.
The family has done similar in other companies. For instance, the Dhoots have bought a substantial chunk of shares in Archies, the maker of greeting cards and now looking for a management control.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Infotech/Internet_/Videocons_Dhoots_look_to_snap_up_IOL_Netcom/articleshow/3312325.cms
Reply
hbestm 7:18AM (12/12/2008)
Auto majors eye sourcing pact with Argentum owned by Ashish Deora and Team
MUMBAI: A couple of European and Asian auto majors including Peugeot-Citroen of France are in talks with Argentum Motors to manufacture components and cars, it is reliably learnt.
Argentum is also planning to invest around Rs 500 crore to upgrade the facility. The three promoters of the company will eventually hold around 12% in the company after the debt is converted into equity and fresh investors are roped in.
“This capacity will attract a large number of global auto manufacturers as the company has all the building blocks for integrated car and component manufacturing,” said an analyst of a Mumbai-based brokerage.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Auto/Auto_Components/Auto_majors_eye_sourcing_pact_with_Argentum/rssarticleshow/2762786.cms
Reply
hbestm 4:34AM (12/16/2008)
Argentum Motors to Expand Capacity to Produce 0.4 Million Small Cars
03/7/2008
Argentum Motors is set to expand its capacity for small cars to 0.4 million per annum. Argentum Motors would also start manufacturing 1-2 litre engines to cater to the demand for small cars. The company is creating flexibility at plant to suit a larger range of vehicles. Existing facility, which can produce engines in the size of 1.3-1.7 litre, is being expanded for 1-2 litre. The company was also setting up a new paint shop and an assembly line which would have a capacity of 0.25 million-0.3 million cars per annum at an investment of INR 5,000 million.
Argentum Motors to Infuse $126 Million in Indian Daewoo Facility
12/26/2007
Argentum Motors will infuse INR 5 billion ( $126.8 million) to modernise the facility over the next 18 months as it gears up to host global commercial vehicle maker Daimler for the latter's proposed Low Cost Vehicle (LCV) roll out.
http://investing.businessweek.com/businessweek/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=20407418
Reply
hbestm 2:36AM (12/19/2008)
Auto majors eye sourcing pact with Argentum owned by Ashish Deora and Team
MUMBAI: A couple of European and Asian auto majors including Peugeot-Citroen of France are in talks with Argentum Motors to manufacture components and cars, it is reliably learnt.
Argentum is also planning to invest around Rs 500 crore to upgrade the facility. The three promoters of the company will eventually hold around 12% in the company after the debt is converted into equity and fresh investors are roped in.
“This capacity will attract a large number of global auto manufacturers as the company has all the building blocks for integrated car and component manufacturing,” said an analyst of a Mumbai-based brokerage.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Auto/Auto_Components/Auto_majors_eye_sourcing
Reply
hbestm 4:02AM (12/22/2008)
Argentum Motors to Expand Capacity to Produce 0.4 Million Small Cars
03/7/2008
Argentum Motors is set to expand its capacity for small cars to 0.4 million per annum. Argentum Motors would also start manufacturing 1-2 litre engines to cater to the demand for small cars. The company is creating flexibility at plant to suit a larger range of vehicles. Existing facility, which can produce engines in the size of 1.3-1.7 litre, is being expanded for 1-2 litre. The company was also setting up a new paint shop and an assembly line which would have a capacity of 0.25 million-0.3 million cars per annum at an investment of INR 5,000 million.
Argentum Motors to Infuse $126 Million in Indian Daewoo Facility
12/26/2007
Argentum Motors will infuse INR 5 billion ( $126.8 million) to modernise the facility over the next 18 months as it gears up to host global commercial vehicle maker Daimler for the latter's proposed Low Cost Vehicle (LCV) roll out.
http://investing.businessweek.com/businessweek/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=20407418
Reply
kittu 5:13AM (12/26/2008)
IPTV News - Videocon’s Dhoots look to snap up IOL Netcom owned By Ashish Deora
The Dhoot family, the promoters of Videocon Group, has bought 14% equity in IOL Netcom owned by Ashish deora, a Mumbai-based broadband company, from the open market transaction is being perceived by the industry as a take over bid.
In the last two months, Shree Dhoot Trading & Agencies Ltd, an investment company of the Dhoots, has mopped up 11.72% shares in the loss-making firm, earlier known as IOL Broadband. This is in addition to the 1.97% stake that Videocon Realty & Infrastructure Ltd, a Videocon group company, owns in IOL Netcom.
Sources close to the development said the Dhoots have hired an advisor for further negotiations to gain management control of the zero-debt company that was the first in Asia to launch IPTV.
Videocon Group officials have met IOL Netcom president Siddharth Srivastava to discuss areas of mutual cooperation. However, the talks did not cover any buyout proposal.
IOC Netcom offers broadband solutions and IPTV and has set up a 200 km fibre optic network in Mumbai and Delhi. The company, which suffered a loss of Rs 2.14 crore on revenues of Rs 2.19 crore in fiscal 2008, is about to launch its broadband services in Mumbai.
When contacted, Mr Srivastava said that the share purchase by Videocon is not seen as a hostile bid by Netcom, even though there was no understanding between the two companies on the transaction. “We have a wide range of investors with no identifiable group of promoters. This segment is set for a boom and may be the new investors see value in our shares,” he told ET.
Videocon Group chairman Venugopal Dhoot was not available for comments.
Videocon’s synergies with IOL Netcom would include joint development of direct-to-home (DTH) content and internet protocol TV (IPTV) platforms, supply of fibre for the broadband business, besides alliances in marketing, retailing and branding.
The Videocon Group is planning to launch its DTH services across the country by the end of the year. As the DTH business has significant strategic synergies with IOL, the Dhoots are keen on acquiring Netcom, said an industry official familiar with the matter.
The share price of IOL Netcom, has crashed from its peak of Rs 580 as on August 9 last year to Rs 76.50 as on Thursday on the Bombay Stock Exchange. The sharp decline was a good opportunity for the Dhoots to buy into the company.
The family has done similar in other companies. For instance, the Dhoots have bought a substantial chunk of shares in Archies, the maker of greeting cards and now looking for a management control.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Infotech/Internet_/Videocons_Dhoots_look_to_snap_up_IOL_Netcom/articleshow/3312325.cms
Reply
hbestm 5:10AM (12/31/2008)
Auto majors eye sourcing pact with Argentum owned by Ashish Deora and Team
MUMBAI: A couple of European and Asian auto majors including Peugeot-Citroen of France are in talks with Argentum Motors to manufacture components and cars, it is reliably learnt.
Argentum is also planning to invest around Rs 500 crore to upgrade the facility. The three promoters of the company will eventually hold around 12% in the company after the debt is converted into equity and fresh investors are roped in.
“This capacity will attract a large number of global auto manufacturers as the company has all the building blocks for integrated car and component manufacturing,” said an analyst of a Mumbai-based brokerage.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Auto/Auto_Components/Auto_majors_eye_sourcing_pact_with_Argentum/rssarticleshow/2762786.cms
Reply
vaibhav 4:38AM (1/06/2009)
Argentum to expand capacity to produce 4 lakh small cars
Co also setting up new paint shop, assembly line at Rs 500-cr investment
New Delhi, March 7 In a short span after Argentum Motors acquired the production facility of erstwhile Daewoo Motors, the company is set to expand its capacity for small cars to 4 lakh per annum. Argentum Motors would also start manufacturing 1-2 litre engines to cater to the demand for small cars.
“We are creating flexibility at our plant to suit a larger range of vehicles. Our existing facility, which can produce engines in the size of 1.3-1.7 litre, is being expanded for 1-2 litre,” said Mr Ajay Singh, Chairman, Argentum Motors.
He said that the company was also setting up a new paint shop and an assembly line which would have a capacity of 2.5 lakh-3 lakh cars per annum at an investment of Rs 500 crore.
“The new capacity would be in addition to our existing one, allowing us to produce 4 lakh small cars per annum,” said Mr Singh. The company had earlier said that the plant had a capacity to produce 2 lakh car bodies, 4 lakh engines, 4 lakh gear boxes and 35,000 aluminium die casting division per annum.
On the company’s interest to manufacture Nano in response to Mr Ratan Tata’s statements about Tata Motors open for licensed manufacturing of the car, Mr Singh said, “We have no intention of making the Nano because of lower margins. But it has led to the whole world looking at India as a hub for small cars. So we are essentially looking at OEMs who would like to outsource manufacturing to India for their global operations.”
Read more…
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/03/08/stories/2008030850730300.htm
http://www.ashishdeora.com
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vaibhav 1:49AM (1/07/2009)
There is mojor Auto deal for ashish deora
A couple of European and Asian auto majors including Peugeot-Citroen of France are in talks with Argentum Motors to manufacture components and cars, it is reliably learnt.
The partnership will involve joint sourcing for domestic and global requirements and assembly operations. Argentum Motors was set up by Hyundai Motors India former president BVR Subbu, SpiceJet promoter Ajay Singh and broadband entrepreneur Ashish Deora.
Argentum Motors had acquired Surajpur-based Daewoo facility for Rs 765 crore late last year. The company is now equipped to produce 4 lakh engines, 4 lakh gear boxes and 35,000 aluminium die casting division per annum. It has a press shop to produce body parts, moulding machines to make plastic parts, a paint shop and a captive power plant.
Mr Subbu is the CEO while Mr Singh is the chairman of Argentum. When contacted, Mr Subbu refused to share details. "We are in talks with a number of companies," he said. German and Asian auto firms which do not have a manufacturing base in India plan to take advantage of low production costs.
The plant will manufacture engines and transmissions for international original equipment manufacturers and also act as a contract manufacturer or a third party assembly centre for cars and commercial vehicles. The plant is expected to begin production by April. "Our immediate concern right now is to get the component plant started," said Mr Subbu.
Daewoo Motors India closed down its facility in 2001, after it ran into creditor problems. The plant manufactured Cielo, Matiz and Nexia cars and produced engines, gear boxes and body parts. The Daewoo manufacturing facility in India is the third largest after Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai.
Argentum is also planning to invest around Rs 500 crore to upgrade the facility. The three promoters of the company will eventually hold around 12% in the company after the debt is converted into equity and fresh investors are roped in.
"This capacity will attract a large number of global auto manufacturers as the company has all the building blocks for integrated car and component manufacturing," said an analyst of a Mumbai-based brokerage.
http://ashish-deora.blogspot.com/2008/09/major-auto-deal-for-ashish-deora.html
vaibhav 5:48AM (1/08/2009)
Ashish Deora Owned by Argentum motor they expand its capacity for small car to 0.4 million per annuam….
Argentum motors of Ashish Deora – A Mumbai Based Entrepreneur
Argentum Motors to Expand Capacity to Produce 0.4 Million Small Cars
03/7/2008
Argentum Motors is set to expand its capacity for small cars to 0.4 million per annum. Argentum Motors would also start manufacturing 1-2 litre engines to cater to the demand for small cars. The company is creating flexibility at plant to suit a larger range of vehicles. Existing facility, which can produce engines in the size of 1.3-1.7 litre, is being expanded for 1-2 litre. The company was also setting up a new paint shop and an assembly line which would have a capacity of 0.25 million-0.3 million cars per annum at an investment of INR 5,000 million....
Read more…
http://ashish-deora.blogspot.com/2008/09/iol-broadband-owned-by-ashish-deora_13.html
http://ashish-deora.blogspot.com
http://www.ashishdeora.com
Reply
vaibhav 5:08AM (1/10/2009)
Now, contract manufacturing in auto sector
Till now, contract manufacturing has largely been associated with either the fast moving consumer goods industry or some other small daily use items. But for the first time, such a facility is being readied for automobiles in India.
Argentum Motors, co-promoted by Spice Jet's Ajay Singh, Hyundai Motor' former president B V R Subbu and Ashish Deora, plans to get into the contract manufacturing business soon.
Argentum has taken possession of the erstwhile Daewoo Motors plant at Surajpur (Haryana) and plans to assemble cars, LCVs and other vehicles some months down the line.
This facility was acquired for about Rs 850 crore and the company now plans to invest another Rs 500 crore in upgrade facilities.
"OEMs are looking at low-cost manufacturing options and many of them are hesitant to set up full-scale manufacturing facilities in India," Singh said.
"So, offering them a third-party manufacturing option is a good way of attracting them here," he told DNA Money.
While Singh declined to name which global OEMs were in discussions with Argentum, he said the contract manufacturing route could be used for all kinds of vehicles, not just cars.
The facility, before being used by Daewoo for small cars, was manufacturing trucks for the DCM-Toyota combine, so the possibility of Surajpur churning out commercial vehicles with global brands cannot be ruled out. As of now, the facility houses a 4 lakh unit engine and transmission capacity and a 2 lakh unit press facility. Daewoo used this facility to produce its Matiz, Cielo and Nexia models.
Singh said Argentum would also be looking to become a component, engine and transmission systems supplier to domestic as well as foreign companies.
He said private equity funds have already picked up 10 per cent of the company and their share would increase to 12 per cent over time. But the Rs 500 crore required for long-term investment would have to be mopped up through a mixture of debt and equity.
Asked about Hyderabad-based MLR Motors, which was earlier supposed to source engines and transmissions from the Surajpur facility, Singh said there was no connection between Argentum and MLR as of now.
Subbu, who was earlier the chairman of MLR Motors, is believed to have severed connections with that company now.
http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=14564473
http://ashish-deora.blogspot.com
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MAD8 8:39AM (8/08/2009)
Kids travelling backwards is not a new innovation. My Montego had them as did my friends Volvo. The problem we had with them was, the kids fought to get in the rear facing seats first. As for safety, I like the idea of the more stable safety cage and the the fact that they have not compromised this with side doors. I only want to know when it is going to be releasd into the UK. Anything that reduces my Road Tax and Fuel Bills is okay with me. Besides I will no longer require the security to guard what must be a solid gold tax disc - considering the extortionate amount I paid for it!
Reply
Joseph 9:25PM (6/04/2007)
It might be able to hold four-passengers in terms of volume, but can such a light car actually hold the weight of four people? Also, the 188mpg figure, is that for the two cyclinder, or the 3 cylinder?
It'd be awesome to beef up this car just a little, you know add better seats and a larger 3-cylinder engine, maybe from the Insight.
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an engineer 9:20PM (6/04/2007)
How can this site claim to be environmentally supportive, when a car that has clearly been shaped with aerodynamics as a main consideration gets attacked for it's style, that, even though it must be one of the most advanced low drag designs around is labelled unevolved.
lets be supportive of a design where form follows function, where new styles are based on efficient design ideals, not those of some hyped up californian style guru.
come on autobloggreen, show some love and try not to kick those trying to innovate from within our own ranks....
Reply