Cree SAM-Evolution II looks like an angry locust, available now
If you crave driving an electric car that looks like an angry locust and are tired of waiting for the new version of the SAM that we told you may be coming, this may be your lucky day. We have found one of the original 80 prototypes for sale and, though it may be a few years old, it has been much improved! Re-dubbed the "Cree SAM-Evolution II," this baby has had its Zebra batteries replaced by modern lithium iron phosphates (LiFePO4) that give it a much more practical range of 100 miles. Actually, it has two. One for propulsion up to speeds of 60 mph and one for heating and lights. With only 6,524 miles on it, the asking price is a negotiable €24,900 ($32,913.77) which doesn't include shipping from
If you have your heart set on a SAM and this one is a little out of your budget then consider the adage, "Patience is a virtue." We expect to hear positive news about factory new vehicles sometime in the next couple months. Bonus video of someone cavorting in the snow with their SAM after the break.
Gallery: Cree SAM-Evolution II
[Source: Elektroauto Kleinanzeigen]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
gulags 5:35PM (1/28/2009)
Best news all day! I loved these little guys from the moment I first saw mention of one (probably on ABG.) Certainly wouldn't replace my car, but would be great for local errands and trips to the beach.
Now, if someone would make a highway-speed model with appropriately-sized tires, that might really change the game.
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Harald Dreher 9:36AM (3/09/2009)
@gulags
I did it :-)
http://www.box.net/shared/h2kku6u3lv
jharlan 8:10PM (1/28/2009)
IT'S A TOY!!!
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andrichrose 1:55AM (1/29/2009)
25,000 euro is a bit rich , the original draft was that
the car should cost no more than 10,000 swiss franc
which is around 7000 euro !
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Domenick Yoney 7:51AM (1/29/2009)
It is definitely expensive but it does have a lot more range than the original. When the new SAM goes into production, rumor has it that it will be CHF 23,000. Perhaps more than twice the original but it will be twice as good. I look forward to being able to tell you more but a lot of the technical information is out there already. http://www.imotive.pl/main.html
Jeff the Baptist 10:14AM (1/29/2009)
Looks interesting, but the design definitely hasn't been optimized well. Why do they have two doors on a car with only one seat? That's cost and weight they could easily cut.
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Domenick Yoney 10:18AM (1/29/2009)
Actually it has two seats with the riders sitting in tandem. The new SAM may only have one door.
Harald Dreher 7:46AM (3/09/2009)
Dear Jeff,
The SAM has two seats in a row....TANDEM :-)
Harald Dreher 7:28AM (3/09/2009)
I´m the engineer of the SAM Evolution Stage I - III***
But it´s not from Switzerland - It´s made in Germany !
*** Increased range of 200 km (125 miles)
Advantages:
Programmable controller
Single-Cell High Power Charager
Link: http://www.elektroauto-forum.de/Kleinanzeigen/index.php?id=68
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Domenick Yoney 8:15AM (3/09/2009)
Thanks for that info. I corrected the story.
sam 6:15PM (6/02/2009)
The Sam was engineered by Cree in Biel, Switzerland (www.cree.ch) and looks totally different as the strange Vespa on your link. Changing the charger doesn't turn it into a "German Army Knife" :)
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mik 2:47PM (6/22/2009)
its made in Poland
Pruszków near warsaw
eh
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