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Lumeneo Smera
Lumeneo Smera, A Car That Behaves Like a Motorcycle
It Is Narrow And Leans On Curves
Filed Under: Specialty Marques Specialty Marques Geneva Motor Show
Some cars that were presented at the Geneva Motor Show did not manage to be on the main pages as much as they deserved. One of the vehicles that fit perfectly under this description is the Lumeneo Smera. And this little electric car is not able to fit only on that, but also on the complicated traffic of almost any big city in the world. After all, it is as narrow as a motorbike and even leans on curves like one.
Created by Daniel and Thierry Moulène, Smera will be manufactured in France and no word has been said so far on the price, but it is very likely to be higher than the one paid for a smart fortwo. This is due to the fact that the two-seater is an all electric car, powered by lithium-ion batteries that account for only 80 kg of the total 350 kg it weighs.
The first Lumeneo is 2.45 m long, 1.45 m tall and, best of all, 0.80 m wide, what allows it to split lanes in countries where motorcycles are allowed to do so. In places where there this advantage does not exist, the wideness of the Smera is still useful for parking or more agility on traffic.
Above all characteristics, the new two-seater will probably be one of the first new generation electric vehicles available to the public. It uses two engines, one in each of the rear wheels, what exempts the car of using a differential. Together, they develop 40 hp. This output is enough to take the 350 kg of the Smera up to 130 km/h, with a range of 150 km.
Acceleration will convince many people that might not like it to consider buying one. Smera is able to reach 100 km/h from stand still, in 8 s. This is due to high level of torque provided, 1,000 Nm! If it would be desirable in bigger car, imagine what it can do to a 2.45-m-long vehicle…
Production of the Smera will commence in 2009, and Lumeneo expects to produce 250 unit next year. Demand, anyway, may force the company to increase its capacity as soon as possible, especially considering that traffic in most cities requires vehicles to become more and more rational. The Smera has already reached a great deal of rationality.
Source: Lumeneo
Joe_Limon
March 30, 2008 6:33:28 PM
wow talk about claustrophobia, they can't even fit that briefcase sideways in the trunk. It would be fun though. I can't help to wonder how safe it would be. The crumple zones are an inch thick at most on the sides, true motorcycles aren't safe, but at least when you get hit on a motorcycle you aren't trapped in a cocoon.
joelynn
March 30, 2008 10:30:52 PM
an awesome idea, and really well executed- only 250 a year- I expect they'll sell more than that, unless it's something like 20,000 pounds
Super_car_muscle_man
March 31, 2008 5:08:05 PM
what a great idea! dont moan about luggage space - get a car. as an extra comfy moped hybrid er... car, its a genius idea. with reference to Joe_Limon's comment, im not a fan of bikes myself, but id rather be in some sort of shell than flying throw the air, heading for a tree.
Joe_Limon
March 31, 2008 5:54:09 PM
yeah but if you get in any sort of collision and you would have that vehicle protuding through your thigh, arm, torso, etc. On a motorbike you go flying, not much improvement, but I would rather be worrying about scrapes and bruises then having to remove sheet metal from my body.
THERENAISSANCEMAN
March 31, 2008 6:01:05 PM
pretty narrow girth for stable cornering , if you ask me. just wondering how this vehicle could handle the shearing forces of crosswinds while cruising on an open road , and how possibly could it handle the buffeting effects of turbulence generated by an overtaking/approaching vehicle?
Super_car_muscle_man
March 31, 2008 6:21:53 PM
yeah i thuoght about htat too, but in the city you cant really drive too fast and you will just have to corner at the speed of a bike - slowly! i wonder if it will tilt slightly round corners..
super_car_muscle_man
April 3, 2008 1:16:31 PM
haha! oops i must have missed that bit out!
joelynn
March 31, 2008 11:06:05 PM
it's not really meant for rural driving and unless you plan to cruise Chi (Chicago or Chichester) there's not so much wind in cities.
THERENAISSANCEMAN
April 2, 2008 2:19:33 PM
Joe_Limon , in this case , even if it happened to be Einstein driving this tall, glamourized go-kart , he surely couldn't possibly bend the laws of physics in the event of sudden , compound evasive maneuvers which happen everyday on the road.
Wow,I'm eager to get one.In my city the street is much crowded,I think this motoist car will decrease much traffic jams!