Month: April 2017
AMC Pacer Electric Car, 1978 by Electric Vehicle Associates (EVA) of Cleveland. Known as the Change of Pace, over 100 Pacers were converted to electric power including one wagon model
Lionheart Xotic X1F Endeavor. 1986. A high-performance 3-wheel sports car
Garret-Airesearch Electric Hybrid Vehicle, 1979. Developed under the direction of NASA for the Department of Energy’s Near-Term Electric Vehicle Development Program. The Garrett-Airesearch car was a flywheel-battery hybrid using lead-acid batteries and a spinning flywheel which helped the car accelerate and deal with spikes in demand for power.
Lancia Medusa, 1980, by Italdesign, The Medusa was actually based on an extended Lancia Monte Carlo (marketed as the Lancia Scorpion in the US) platform so was mid-engined with the transverse installation fitting behind the rear seat, in front of the rear wheels. When it was revealed it was the most aerodynamic car in the world with a drag co-efficient of 0.263
Lotus Etna, 1984, by Italdesign. Giugiaro’s proposal for a second generation Lotus Esprit, the Etna was powered by Lotus’s then experimental 4.0 lire V8 engine. When General Motors took a controlling interest in Lotus at the beginning of 1986 the project was cancelled thought they did proceed with the V8 Esprit, based on the first generation model
Ford Maya, 1984, by Italdesign. The original Maya concept was a fully working prototype because Ford had wanted it to be be a limited edition model for the US market, it featured a 250hp 24 valve V6 mounted transversely. The roof panel could be removed, targa-style