Venturi Volage

These guys are right up there with Rinspeed. Low volume head-turners.

Or when you consider they are going to do volume production of the 2nd gen Eclectic


They are also a low-speed head-turner.

Okay, so why did they choose this suspension setup? What's the advantages as well as the drawbacks to this suspension design?

Takumi said:

Okay, so why did they choose this suspension setup? What's the advantages as well as the drawbacks to this suspension design?

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I have been wondering the same thing. I am hoping that this suspension set up overcomes some of the inherent problems with hub motors being "unsprung weight". This might end up making hub motors more useful going forward.

Venturi Volage: Watch out, Tesla! - Crave at CNET.co.uk


Personally I think this thing looks great - it really shows what can be done when you are free from having to design around a conventional ICE drivetrain.

(Although I don't think their Roadster range is all that correct...)

So much engineering and design work for such limited numbers to be produced.

TEG said:

So much engineering and design work for such limited numbers to be produced.

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As a showcase the cars are great. I wonder if any larger automaker will be willing to buy their technology

The motor and suspension-in-wheel idea is one that I bet many have pondered over the years. I wonder if it works well or is just a gimmick.

In-wheel suspension - Google Patents
In-wheel suspension - - US Patent 6357770





http://www.motorauthority.com/michelins-active-wheel-technology-in-detail.html
http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightline/2008/10/2008-paris-auto-show-michelins-active-wheel.html
http://bp0.blogger.com/_koFXUwAbrrI...c/-cVeQ83DIyE/s1600-h/MichelinActiveWheel.JPG
http://radio.weblogs.com/0105910/2004/10/23.html

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/10/siemens-vdo-announces-ecorner-motor-in-hub-concept/

New Electric Car Leaves the Tesla Roadster in its Dust | EcoGeek - Clean Technology

If you’re dreaming of going electric, but also want to go fast, Venturi has designed a new all-electric roadster capable of reaching 160 mph, leaving the Tesla Roadster in the dust.

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I'm guessing that is our Doug at the top of the comments.

dpeilow said:

New Electric Car Leaves the Tesla Roadster in its Dust | EcoGeek - Clean Technology

I'm guessing that is our Doug at the top of the comments.

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At least he beat KB

I am sure that if TM chose to they could compromise their 3.9 second acceleration for that rather SLOW 5 second one and get to that 160 mph. LOL:smile:

More details on the motor, suspension setup:
Michelin Unveils Active Wheel in Affordable Electric Car : TreeHugger
Detail de News

TEG said:

The motor and suspension-in-wheel idea is one that I bet many have pondered over the years. I wonder if it works well or is just a gimmick.

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Yes, very fast, very fast indeed...under ideal circumstances, but how is it in the rain? The snow? Under dusty/weathered road driving conditions?

These are all the same questions that occur to me when I review the both the questionable and unquestionable attributes of other "in-wheel" propulsion designs, such as the Eliica for example, which has motor units in it's eight(8) wheels that are "hermetically" sealed, imparting protection against moisture/air, but how does such technology stack up against real world daily driving conditions when the tech is in such a precarious/susceptible position (down next to the roadway)?

Also, isn't the core ideology behind placing the driving unit(s) in the wheel(s) of a vehicle to address the practical application of increasing interior cabin space, which seems to be pretty limited in this concept? Just asking.

I guess time will tell.



p.s. By the way, the Venturi Volage is a very exciting conceptual design from a purely aesthetic point of view, though it looks like an awful waste of trunk space from the rear.

Some good points. What will changing a tire be like on one of these?

Me thinks the venturi will handle like crap with its ultra skinny snow racing tires and loads of unsprung weight.

To me this isn't a performance car its a gimmick to show off Michelin's new technology.

Prince of Monaco test drives the all-electric Venturi Volage

As you know, Monaco wants to position itself as one of the leading EV countries in the world. Of course, the country's small size helps keep range anxiety in check. HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco enjoyed himself during the Grand Prix de Monaco last weekend when the Venturi Volage was in town. The car, which is the result of Venturi's collaboration with Michelin, is an electric sports car that uses Michelin's Active Wheel. Prince Albert II drove the car along the urban circuit set up for the race.

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