Venture One Hybrid

The Venture One hybrid currently weighs approximately 1,200 pounds (544 kg) in prototype form, with an overall width of 48 inches (1,219 mm), a length of 11' 8", and a 106-inch (2,692 mm) wheelbase.

Venture Vehicles plans to initially offer two propulsion packages for the Venture One: the hybrid E50 and Q100, and all-electric Venture EV model. Prices will range from $18,000 for the E50, to $23,000 for the all-electric EV model.

The Venture One hybrid, to be released in late 2008, priced in the $20,000 range. If that is the case, then the Venture One is big news. This stunning looking vehicle that brings together a handful of innovative and proven technologies to make for a very environmentally sound short or long distance transport.

The Venture One hybrid will come in three configurations: a 50 kW plug-in hybrid (350-mile range), a 100 kW plug-in hybrid (300-mile range), and a 40 kW all electric model (120-mile range). Both hybrid models will be ethanol compatible with a 20-mile pure EV range, and can be charged from a conventional 110-volt outlet. The fastest of the bunch, the 100 kW hybrid, will top out at 120 mph and do 0-60 in less than 5 seconds. All three will get the equivalent of over 100 miles per gallon.

The concept of the patented technology licensed from a Dutch firm called Carver Engineering is that as the vehicle corners, the front half (including the cockpit) tilts to counterbalance centrifugal force, much the way a motorcycle does, while the rear two wheels stay put. There is quite a bit more that could be said about the Venture One hybrid, like the specifics of its li-ion batteries, its many safety features, and its iPod compatibility,

However the Venture One hybrid two-seater doesn’t actually exist yet. According to Ian Bruce, a founding partner of Venture Vehicles and founder of EVP Design and Engineering: “With the same height and length as the MINI Cooper, the Venture One hybrid will have both the performance of a sports car and the agility of a motorcycle... creating an incredibly exhilarating driving experience.

The only way I can describe the Venture One hybrid sensation is comparing it to flying a jet fighter at two feet off the ground. Plus, this extraordinary performance combines the significant environmental benefits of a flex-fuel, plug-in Hybrid with a high level of affordability.