Electric VentureOne Morphs Car and Motorcycle

Venture Vehicles says driving its three-wheel, tilting VentureOne is like "flying a jet fighter two feet off the ground." As if that isn't exciting enough, this innovative vehicle's drivetrain configurations are sure to endear it to fans of both electric and hybrid cars alike.

Though classified as a motorcycle, the Los Angeles, California-based company claims the two-passenger VentureOne is more than 30 times safer. It will be offered in three versions with two types of propulsion. The base Venture E50 and higher performing Venture Q100 have a series hybrid drivetrain with plug-in capability, while the Venture EV will be all-electric.

All three versions will use Carver Engineering's DVC (Dynamic Vehicle Control) system. Originally conceived by this Netherlands-based company in 1994, DVC is now in its 18th iteration. It allows the passenger compartment and the front wheel to automatically tilt up to 45 degrees side-to-side at a rate of 85 degrees-per-second while cornering. This maintains the ideal tilting angles under all driving conditions, including emergency maneuvers and while driving on slippery or slanting road surfaces. The hydro-mechanical system splits the driver's steering input into a front-wheel steering angle and a tilting chassis angle.
The hybrid system uses a small rear-mounted gasoline engine to drive a generator, which in turn produces electricity that powers the vehicle's electric motors. Electricity is stored in an A123Systems lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery. The all-electric EV model has a Li-Ion battery pack and two in-wheel electric motors. Both versions feature ventilated disc brakes, ABS, and regenerative braking, but no transmission. Top speed for the 1,200 pound VentureOne is over 100 mph with acceleration pegged at 0-60 in 6 seconds.

While the VentureOne does carry a motorcycle classification because of a three wheel configuration, it's quite unlike a motorcycle because it has a fully enclosed body. Car-like features include a reinforced steel safety cell, front and side impact protection, three-point driver and passenger restraints, driver's airbag, rear bumper, engine shield, collapsible steering col

umn, safety glass, and digital traction control. A front-wheel capture collar transfers the energy of a front impact to the welded moly-steel frame.

About the same height and length as a MINI Cooper, the VentureOne measures in at an overall width of 48 inches with a length of 140 inches, and features a 106 inch wheelbase. It will have car-like standard and optional equipment including GPS navigation, cruise control, heating/air conditioning , and personal entertainment. Prices will range from $18,000 for the E50 to $23,000 for the EV model. The company says that deliveries are expected to start sometime in 2008.
This is all good news. The challenge, of course, is that the market for three-wheel vehicles has been virtually nonexistent, so there are marketing hurdles ahead. That said, a great many motorists are ready to consider new and different alternatives to today's often fuel inefficient vehicles that contribute to poor air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and growing dependence on oil. Innovative vehicles like the VentureOne could be part of the solution.