VIDEO: $6,500 Salamandra Lexion launches in Colombia
Billed as the most affordable ecological vehicle in the world, the wraps came off the $6,500 Salamandra Lexion earlier this month to reveal the three-wheeled wonder you see pictured above. Calling Colombia home, the folks behind Salamandra hope to offer people a green choice they can afford while still providing a reasonable amount of performance for a city car. The car will be available as an all-electric, gas only or electric with a 15 hp gasoline range extender. It was originally designed to have a compressed air engine, but the company says that option will have to wait for now. The vehicle is said to have an electric range of over 40 miles and the lowest end model, the Lexion X1, will have a modest top speed of 40 mph while X2 should hit 50. The deluxe X3 will go all the way up to 60 mph which, we believe, is as fast as anyone will want to go in this two-seater.It may not be terribly fast but its designer, William Mercay, claims it has plenty of power, saying, "Unlike the Reva, this car can climb hills. It can climb 22 degree inclinations at 40 kph (25 mph) and it can run for 70 km (43 miles) before needing a recharge." Production should start in earnest this coming July and the company hopes to put some 50,000 copies on the calles (streets) over the next two years. Hit the jump for Spanish TV news coverage of the Lexion launch as well as a promotional video featuring footage of the car in motion accompanied by a funky (not in a good way) soundtrack.
[Source: Salamandra]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Indi 5:00PM (4/27/2009)
It's kind of cool, but what's with the Pontiac front grille?
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Joe 5:08PM (4/27/2009)
I believe the country is spelled as Colombia
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Domenick Yoney 11:42PM (4/27/2009)
Thank you. Fixed.
Tohe 6:53PM (4/27/2009)
An "aquatic" (amphibious) and air version in the works? what was that about? Besides Colombia, Mexico and Spain, a car like this could enjoy success in other parts of the world like India etc. But I agree they need to improve the design a bit.
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jharlan 8:27PM (4/27/2009)
Too small, to slow, too limited range, but cheaper than my scooter was. (but my scooter will go 90 MPH and can get 60 to 70 MPG).
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amtoro 9:58AM (4/28/2009)
The lanes on the roads and streets in colombia are normally 3,6m wide, the population density is similar to Europe's and a whole day's worth of school, work and errands usually adds up to 30-40 km (18-25 miles). Families used to have only one car but in recent years they have been buying lots of small chinese and korean cars for personal mobility. If you consider a Chery costs about us$9,000, this $6,500 three seater sounds like a very good deal. Operating costs are a big difference as gasoline there costs as much as us$4.50/gallon for 83 octane and over us$5.00/gallon for 87 octane.
Besides, I calculated they expect the consumption to be about 450Whr per mile, a little high for a vehicle its size. It makes me think they are considering very well the steep hills you find everywhere in the country.
I will be flying to Colombia in July, I might do a review and bring back a video, if anyone is interested.
AC 5:39PM (4/28/2009)
And your point is what, exactly?
I hear this beef about electrics all over ABG, pretty much any time someone announces a new one.
Here's a hint: We are where we are today, because people drive cars that are too big, too fast, and too common. The only way you're going to get a 2000 kilo station wagon plus cargo to 100 km/h in less than 30 seconds is with gasoline, and lots of it. And if you read this site, you probably know what that does to the air you breathe.
Conversely, there's hundreds of different gas powered vehicles in production right now that are equally and utterly impractical to you and your family. Think Mazda Miata, BMW Kompressor, Ferrari Testerosa, Nissan 350Z, Smart fourtwo, and Chevrolet Camero to name a few. Yet somehow, there's a market for these cars.
And then there's motorcycles. For all the griping about the safety of these diminutive cars, they're far and away safer than a bike (which they're classified as). Yet somehow, many thousands of people throw caution into the wind for some kind of intangible benefit to riding a bike.
Your criticism is hollow, whiny, and annoying. So what if you're not in the market for one of these. Other people are - probably enough of them to make the venture profitable, just like the Miata.
harlanx6 5:45PM (4/28/2009)
Then buy one, AC! Where I live I need more speed and range. Apparently you don't. Fine. It's a toy car. I would get a kick out of seeing you in one of those!
wave54 5:11PM (4/29/2009)
** Your criticism is hollow, whiny, and annoying. So what if you're not in the market for one of these. Other people are - probably enough of them to make the venture profitable, just like the Miata. **
You're right, AC. I don't understand why folks here think that if a car isn't for them, i.e. doesn't cruise at 80 mph+ on the highway and seat 5 adults for under $25K, that it shouldn't be built for anyone.
There's a place for smaller, slower EVs in the mix -- I think GEM, with their low-speed NEVs, is the largest manufacturer and seller of electric cars to date (US) with 48,000 on the road.
If it isn't for you, fine. No need to comment on every vehicle that you don't want.