Friday, October 1, 2010

Frogeye Sprite Austin Healey the first of several Sprite models


Frogeye Sprite Austin Healey

Frogeye Sprite Austin Healey the first of several Sprite models.
The Austin Healey Sprite which was introduced in 1958 was a diminutive roadster with an unmistakable headlight arrangement.
The prominent headlights were initially intended to be flip-up units. However the cost of retractable headlights was to high, and instead they were fixed in what would have been the 'up' position. Their unusual location gave rise to the cars affectionate nickname, the "Frogeye" Sprite.
The Austin Healey Sprite MK I was powered by a 1.0 litre, inline, four cylinder engine which developed a grand total of 43 horsepower. Coupled to a four speed manual gearbox it was capable of propelling the car up to 84 mph.
The Frogeye Sprite (which was discontinued in 1961) was the first of several Sprite models. In 1962 the MK II Austin Healey Sprite was introduced. The MK II introduced several updates, the most noticeable of which was a more conventional headlight layout. From 1961 the Austin Healey Sprite was also sold as the MG Midget.

2010 Venturi Sport Cars Venturi Fetish Electric Sport Cars

DETROIT (Reuters) - Electric vehicles may not sell worldwide in large numbers for some years, but the CEO of electric sports car maker Venturi wants his company's racy models and high-end technology to demonstrate their potential. At the Mondial de l'Automobile 2010 in Paris, Venturi is presenting a completely new Venturi Fetish, directly based on developments undertaken for Venturi's World Records program in Bonneville, USA (2009-2012) with the Venturi "JAMAIS CONTENTE", the fastest electric vehicle in the world.
One of the stars of the 21st International Electric Vehicles Symposium (EVS21) to be held in Monte Carlo next week will be the world’s most exclusive electric car – the Venturi Fetish. Assembled by hand in Monaco and made to order, the Fetish has an asking price of 450,000 Euro (US$583,000) - not bad for a vehicle which can legitimately claim the title of being the first production electric sports car in history.
To get the very best out of such a motor, a new 54 kWh battery pack has been developed (LIV-10 Lithium Ion Polymer batteries) whose electronics (Battery Management System) have been entrusted to VENTEC, the leader in the field. Venturi Fetish offers a real range of up to 340 km. Thanks to its on-board charger, it can recharge using a regular electrical socket or fast charge terminals With over 300 hp (+220 kW) and torque of 380 Nm, the VM300 is the most advanced electric motor ever designed for a car.
2010 Venturi Sport Cars Venturi Fetish Electric Sport Cars
With an output of over 300 HP for total weight of 1,225 kilos, 200 km/h, and 0-100 km/h in less than 4 secs, the 2010 Venturi Sport Cars Venturi Fetish Electric Sport Cars has become a "muscle car", armed and ready for battle : above all, it is more than ever before the world's sportiest and most highly perfected example of an electric car.
The first chassis specifically designed to house a large volume of batteries, the carbon monocoque developed by Venturi provides an exceptional protection cell for its occupants ; it is completed by two deformable cells positioned at the front and rear of the vehicle. This concept guarantees the security of the battery in the event of an accident and provides a level of safety never before achieved in an electric vehicle.
The Venturi Fetish is made by hand and to order in our workshops in Monaco. The production is limited, but not the program of customization, our Designer Sacha Lakic being at the arrangement of every customer to assist him in his most exclusive desires.