|
|
Little is known about the Lumengo Smera.
In fact, when you hear the name, it sounds more like the scientific name of a spider than anything car-related.
The Smera raised a few eyebrows when it was unveiled at this year’s Geneva Auto Show.
It’s another electric car intent on encouraging the driving public to become aware of the effect of exhaust emissions on the environment.
Electric cars were certainly a formidable presence at the 2008 show, but little else on the stands was as curious as the little Smera.
Firstly, its design and aesthetics are definitely different. If a scooter and a Smart Car ever mated, the Smera would be the resulting offspring of that union.
It’s tiny, but at the same time manages to seat two with space left for a trunk at the rear. It’s really narrow too – the passenger sits behind the driver – which means weaving in and out of heavy traffic won’t be a problem.
Finding parking space in the city need never be a hassle again.
The idea of the mega-scooter isn’t a new one. Honda and BMW have patented all-weather scooters with roofs, sometimes ones with electric raise-and-lower functions. The Benelli Adiva is another such vehicle modeled on the popular BLW C1.
However, the Smera is different because it has four wheels and unlike the Adiva or the C1, it’s completely enclosed. Also, there’s space for two in the Smera whereas the others only seat one. As far as car-bike combinations go, the Smera is closer to a car than either of these.
The Smera has everything a regular-sized car has – two doors, four wheels and side-mirrors – but unlike regular cars and definitely like its eco-friendly cousins, the Smera is driven by 40HP of electric power.
The source is two 20HP electric motors powered by what will most likely be lithium or lithium-ion battery packs. For such a tiny, light vehicle weighing in at just 700 pounds, 40HP is more than enough to get the Smera going at a decent speed with zero emissions – besides hot air – leaving the tailpipe.
In fact, the Smera will give you a top speed of 80mph and just over 90 miles on a full charge.
As for handling, the Smera is designed to keep both driver and passenger safe and secure on the road. Just like you’d do on a normal scooter, the Smera is engineered to keep all four wheels rooted to the road when turning by tilting automatically around a corner.
This way the whole thing doesn’t tip over when making a right or a left. This little car is not just environmentally friendly, it’s also convenient, easy to pilot and an even easier to maintain.
The Lumengo people have been quiet about their latest offering, but if the lithium-battery technology is similar to that of the Th!nk Ox, “refueling” will be as easy as plugging it into a household electric socket. Now that’s what the future of motoring is all about.