Venture Vehicles Inc. is introducing the VentureOne a 3-wheel, tilting, plug-in hybrid vehicle. This unique 2-passenger flex-fuel hybrid vehicle will achieve 100 miles per gallon with a top speed of over 100 mph.
Venture Vehicles plans to initially offer two propulsion packages for the VentureOne: the hybrid E50 and Q100, and all-electric Venture EV.
For the hybrid vehicles the propulsion system is of a series hybrid design. The system consists of a small internal combustion engine connected to a 15 – 20 kW generator, two in-wheel 25 kW electric motors, a four gallon fuel tank, and a 3 kWh Li-Ion battery pack. The system is able to take energy normally lost as heat due to braking and return it to the battery, increasing overall system efficiency. The hybrid versions are designed to have a 20 mile “EV only” range. The all-electric propulsion system has two in-wheel 20 kW electric motors, and a 17 kWh Li-Ion battery pack, and also has regenerative braking.
The VentureOne weighs approximately 1,200 pounds in prototype form, with an overall width of 48 inches, a length of 11' 8", and a 106 inch wheelbase. The engine is located in the rear of the vehicle at a low height. All three models will also feature ventilated disc brakes and measure 3.6 meters in overall length
All three models will incorporate the patented Dynamic Vehicle Control system, or DVC™, developed by Carver Engineering, which allows the vehicle to tilt up to 45° side-to-side at a rate of 85° per second.The passenger compartment and the front wheel tilt when cornering; however, the forces are aligned with the vertical axis of the driver’s body, resulting in the driver being pressed into the seat rather than pushed across it.
The lithium-ion batteries will be provided by A123Systems, based in Watertown, Massachusetts. The batteries address all three major factors that affect battery performance; high power, intrinsic safety, and long life. A123Systems’ battery technology is based upon highly active nanoscale materials that are inexpensive, nontoxic, and extremely stable in electrochemical systems. This high power chemistry is based on proprietary compositions with much higher charge and discharge rates.
The VentureOne also has separate power to each of the rear wheels which allows automatic traction control, steering assist, and ABS braking to be entirely embedded in software. This eliminates the need for costly additional components and combined with the lack of transmission, severely limits the amount of money a consumer will have to put into maintenance.
Since it has three wheels, the VentureOne is classified as a motorcycle. And while motorcycles must meet far fewer, and less stringent federal standards than those established for traditional automobiles, Venture Vehicles will be designing the VentureOne to meet, or exceed, Federal safety standards established for traditional automobiles. These features include a steel “safety cell” and other safety features typically found only in cars—things like side impact beams, driver airbag, rear bumper and engine shield.
According to Daily Tech, prices are expected to range from $18,500 for the hybrid VentureOne e50 to $23,000 for the all-electric VentureOne EV. The e50 accelerates from 0-60 in under 6 seconds, the Q100 has a 0-60 time of under 5 seconds and the EV has a 0-60 time of 8 seconds.
Thanks to Daily Tech via EV World
The VentureOne also has separate power to each of the rear wheels which allows automatic traction control, steering assist, and ABS braking to be entirely embedded in software. This eliminates the need for costly additional components and combined with the lack of transmission, severely limits the amount of money a consumer will have to put into maintenance.
I have ATC, steering assist, and ABS braking on a car that I've had for 11 years. None of those systems has ever had any maintenance to speak of and they are all working fine. I have changed the transmission fluid a couple times.
The important question: How many Cup Holders? Will it make insecure people feel powerful?
Posted by: George | February 24, 2007 at 12:40 AM
My only questions: Why haven't I heard of this before? and, When can I buy one?
Posted by: Mouseplatterman | February 24, 2007 at 02:40 AM
My question for George is:
Do you have small 4 liter car that you can drive that doesn't make you look like an high-strung little dork?
Posted by: Paul Shore | February 24, 2007 at 07:19 AM
This thing looks like a blast, and perfect for a single driver commute. It's got the back seat so I could carry groceries and save money.
I have no problem financially carrying two cars, and I wouldn't trade this one in as fast as my other, so there wouldn't be a payment once I get it paid off.
I wouldn't get this for soccer mom's, but anyone like me that can have two cars and wants to have fun driving seems just right.
Posted by: Greg Woulf | February 24, 2007 at 10:25 AM
OMG, this is the cutest car I've seen since the new electric car, the Xebra - and it sounds like this car doesn't have to be recharged every 40 miles like the Xebra, correct? (Except for the all-electric model, I'm wondering?) I agree that it would be perfect for a single driver commute. Of course, I do also understand the critical importance of cupholders ;-)
Posted by: Janis Mara | February 24, 2007 at 12:50 PM
It's got two seats, it can commute two people, more comfortably than a bike can it seems, so why single driver commute?
Posted by: Fabio | February 24, 2007 at 03:32 PM
Why single-driver commute? Because that's what most people do in their 4-, 5- and 7- passenger vehicles now.
I've been talking to the Venture folks on their forums. It sounds like they've got the right attitude and plenty of savvy. This means a.) It's going to be good, and b.) I want one!
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | February 24, 2007 at 11:49 PM
Finally a serial plugin hybrid! Make it with 2 wheels or four wheels now.
Either one would sell fast! But three wheels are problematic.
A two wheeler of this serial plugin hybrid design with automatically extending roller skids that prevent tip over when stopped would rule the roads!
Posted by: amazingdrx | February 28, 2007 at 06:34 AM
What's problematic about *this* three wheeler (taking into account that it tilts, rather than rolls over)?
Posted by: Hans Wurst | March 23, 2007 at 05:22 PM
I work as a firefighter/paramedic and a flight medic on my days off. My question is: is there ANY storage in this vehicle and also WHERE CAN I GET ONE AND WHEN??????? LOL . . . seems like thats the most important question we ALL want answered!
Posted by: cliff brooks | June 14, 2007 at 10:14 AM
I am thrilled to finally see someone produce a vehicle that exceeds the looks and capabilities of GM's Lean Machine. The Lean Machine was built in the 1980's and like all the other big auto makers Joe Average never had the opportunity to get within three feet of the vehicle much less own one. It (the Lean Machine) also leaned like the Venture One but was never put into production even when gas prices continued to rise. Today it seem rising gas prices are a weekly if not daily event. For the Venture One people working to put this vehicle on the road for all the rest of us... Three Cheers! Hip Hip Horay! Don't stop! Can't wait to see one for real and have the chance to own one.
Posted by: Dave Langkamp | July 10, 2007 at 09:39 PM
If anyone is still interested in this vehicle,since this article is almost six months old now, You can know pre-register for a Venture One on their website. Just go to www.flytheroad.com and you will find the link to pre-register on their home page. I did the first day it popped up. I can't wait!
Posted by: miracleman | July 16, 2007 at 12:57 PM
The VentureOne is still under development.... You can't buy it, yet. But you can dream. Like me. A newer design update by the BMW designers group working on it... should be out within a month... or so.
Note that where, above, it states, "The VentureOne... has separate power to each of the rear wheels..." this is incorrect. A single motor is now being planned for... as the available in-wheel motors were not acceptable. Not up to par. BUT in-wheel motors will be being used when good ones become at-hand... or so the VentureOne peeps say.
Beyond doubt... this is going to be a high quality machine... and at a remarkably low cost. Preddy exciting new ride, eh? Whoo! 100 miles per gallon at a 100 miles per hour... bring it on!
The Dutch-made, non-hybrid, and non-all-electric, Carver trike which uses the same, now fully developed, automatic tilting mechanism as the VentureOne will be using costs more than twice as much... and is much less cooler... overall.
Still... 20k, of course, is a lotta money... but if you buy a new GoldWing or Harley.... and convert it to a trike using an available quality trike-conversion kit... you're looking at some really big bucks being spent... and you won't end up with even half as good a machine as the planned-for VentureOne. Also... even the existing and readily available way-cool and extra high-tech TrikeTec trike made in Germany costs more than twice as much... and there is no weather protection at all... not even a fairing.
Posted by: E Tiffany | January 29, 2008 at 10:18 PM
This is a new site... the dates are more than six months off.
Posted by: E Tiffany | January 29, 2008 at 10:21 PM
WHERE THE HELL CAN I GET ONE I CAN USE IT BEHINE MY MOTORHOME!I WELL BE IN LINE FOR THE NEXT ONE I LOVE 3WHEELS!
Posted by: MS.Sarah J.Querry | March 06, 2008 at 07:11 PM
I'm 70,& live on S.S. I don't need a 200hp engine to go to Bingo, or Bridge, or to get my scripts, or groceries! Please give me a mode of transportation for us old folks! I think that all Senior Citizens could afford $5000. from their S.S. check to buy this new form of transportation!
Posted by: robert allen mazur | May 17, 2008 at 02:39 AM
I'm 70,& live on S.S. I don't need a 200hp engine to go to Bingo, or Bridge, or to get my scripts, or groceries! Please give me a mode of transportation for us old folks! I think that all Senior Citizens could afford $5000. from their S.S. check to buy this new form of transportation!
Posted by: robert allen mazur | May 17, 2008 at 02:41 AM
Wow This is a unique looking Bike
Posted by: Bucket Trucks | February 01, 2010 at 03:54 PM
wow amazing design.
amazing idea too, is so amazing to hve this car, is cute looks like a hotwheels but in real life, and the best of all is that is hybrid
Posted by: Miami Air Conditioning | April 23, 2011 at 05:17 PM
It's 2011, where is it?!
Posted by: Me | May 16, 2011 at 03:00 AM
i wont more info and where to get one and to be a dealer
Posted by: albert perrault | December 25, 2011 at 01:24 PM
Ever since I was a child I wondered if these cars would exist in reality sooner in my generation. It did! And it looks fantastic. Not only that, my hopes deserved a lot better because this is Eco-friendly, too.
Posted by: Chevy HHR cold air intake | December 27, 2011 at 09:12 PM