Zoomi Life

Fiat unveiled the Fiat Palio Weekend Eletrico, the electric version of it’s popular Fiat Palio Weekend station wagon, at the Sao Paolo Motor Show last week. Its development was created in conjunction with the the Swiss company KWO. This car is mainly meant for European markets, which are in high demand for electric cars.

The Fiat Palio Weekend Eletrico is powered by a 20 HP Electric motor which in turn is run by a Nickel-Cd battery located at the base of the trunk, (Lithium-Ion isn’t used as it is very expensive, but future variants should come with Lithium-Ion units). Over night charging will give you a maximum possible range of 120 km. The Palio Eletrico can be operated in 3 modes : Drive, Neutral and Reverse. This car is not a hybrid, it’s a fully electric short distance city car.

As for the exteriors, there have only been minor face-lifts. The Eletrico comes only in one color - green, which supposedly reflects on Fiat’s concern for the environment, and the blue graphics on the doors helps to distinguish the Eletrico from the Palio Weekend Station Wagon. No news has been revealed so far about production and prices, but, we are quite sure that it will be launched in the European market first, where there is suitable infrastructure to support electric cars.

This Post via IndiasAutoBlog

Imagine a dune buggy without the dunes and powered by an electric motor. That’s what the Bugster is. It’s a new concept car from a Brazilian subsidiary of Fiat. Entered into the 25th Salao Internacional do Automovel (Brazil’s Motor Show), it debuted to a confused Brazilian public. A Brazilian design that doesn’t use ethanol? What?

The power train on this buggy is all electric while the body is made up of natural fibers and renewable materials that minimize the car’s environmental impact. Innovative use of nanotechnology makes the materials both light and resistant. The company’s motto is “Environment & Fun” and they hope to mix together environmentally conscious products with fun uses and innovations.

Kind of a cool concept and these could be the next big thing on Brazil’s famous beaches. Whether they ever actually get built is another matter, but at least the idea is there.

This Post via AutoblogGreen