REPORT: French railroad invests in Lumeneo
Lumeneo Smera - Click above for high-res image gallery
According to Le JDD, French railroad company SNCF has invested 1.5 million euros in another unlikely French transportation company: Lumeneo. SNCF apparently has an investment fund totaling 15 million euros that it uses to branch out into alternative transportation sectors. Last April, the French railway reportedly injected capital into Green Cove Engineering, a provider of carpooling services.
Lumeneo recently began offering the Smera, a tiny four-wheeled vehicle that leans into corners like a motorcycle, for 24,500 euros (about $33,000 US). The electric vehicle was shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 2008 and features a 144-volt lithium ion battery pack. According to Lumeneo, the Smera can hit 0-60 in eight seconds, has a top speed of 80 mph and a range of about 90 miles. Thanks for the tip, Mike!
Gallery: Geneva 2008: Lumeneo Smera
[Source: Lejdd.fr via Bikes in the Fast Lane]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mark 12:44PM (7/18/2009)
Sell for 5000 euro and I might buy
Reply
Lorena Palin 1:09PM (7/18/2009)
Too damn expensive. Much cheaper to buy a motorcycle, even if you want to electrify it and ad a cowling like this:
http://www.bugev.net/images/BugE_CG.jpg
...and even if you wanted to pay someone else to do that for you.
Reply
alexacoon 3:07PM (7/18/2009)
As much as i like this I think it would be just as economical and a hell of a lot less expensive if they just put a 600cc or so motorcycle engine in it. I would bet anything it would do better on the highway than my SV650 and could be ridden in all but snow up here in New England
Reply
mike 9:12AM (7/20/2009)
Do you think they would bring this to the US? I find the design amazing even with the price. I think this would be perfect for someone like me who a college student in a major city.
Reply