The Amp

vfx · 05-23-2008, 10:10 AM

I think this is a good conversion choice:

AMP Motorworks - (Advanved Mechanical Products) -The 100 percent electric car

doug · 05-23-2008, 10:50 AM

I heard about this Saturn Sky conversion maybe a year or so ago. Haven't heard anything from them since.

vfx · 05-23-2008, 11:31 AM

Well it looks like they started taking resevations for 300 cars May 20th. I just checked today the 23rd and there are 212 left. Not Bad.

If I was not so into the Tesla I would seriously consider somthing like this.

WarpedOne · 05-23-2008, 12:12 PM

Nice, really nice though I'd like to see more detailed specs. I guees I'm "Tesla spoiled" :)

Interesting tidbit: they've ditched rear differential and are using two electric motors. I have a feeling this approach will prevail sooner or later because you can "simulate" limited slip differential and have better torque delivery and control through corners and on slippery roads.

Price is also mighty interesting: only 25.000 $ for conversion!? So the electric version comes at double the price of donor car.

ACPropulsion wants 55.000$ to create eBox from your xB that retails for around 16.000 $. So the electric version is more than 4 times the price of donor car.

I guess, electric cars are gettin' cheaper :D

DaveD · 05-23-2008, 12:43 PM

I happen to have rented a Pontiac Solstice earlier this week. The Solstice and Sky are essentially the same car, just some differences in body styling. If you're very tall at all, this car is a torture chamber on wheels. Very cramped, with knees knocking against the steering wheel. I'm 6' 0" tall.

You want trunk volume in a car? You'll find NONE of that in the Solstice/Sky! Without a doubt, the Roadster is more comfortable for the driver, and it has at least a modicum of trunk storage space.

Given that, I personally don't care if someone has converted them to be EV's; it wouldn't be a fun car for me to drive.

vfx · 05-23-2008, 12:54 PM

Ditto on the details. How about photos of a prototype? Video of it running. Photos of the conversion prosess. So far the only shots are "stock".

WarpedOne · 05-23-2008, 01:40 PM

Sky Roadster Forum

Some more views on this interesting "donor car" :)
They have a thread on this conversion also.

That counter is now downto 208. They've already got almost a million dollars in downpayments. Not to bad for a mere conversion.

Edit: Scrap that. That availability counter is back upto 248 ?:| I sense some fishy bussiness...

Brent · 05-23-2008, 03:05 PM

I'd sure like to see a least one conversion before plunking down any money. There are so many promises here with so few details that it starts to sound a lot like a scam.

doug · 05-23-2008, 03:47 PM

Couple more articles on it:

AMP vehicles to convert Saturn Sky roadsters to electric power - AutoblogGreen

AMP offers converted all-electric Saturn Sky in limited run - Engadget

Kardax · 05-23-2008, 08:01 PM

No prototype...

I think their plan is to collect the money now and figure out how to do it later. Or flee the country.

-Ryan