ZAP buys into Obvio! – the little cars are coming

[hemidakota]

ZAP buys into Obvio! – the little cars are coming

Posted Oct 31, 2005, 12:30 PM ET by John Neff




You may remember a post back in August on a Brazilian car company named Obvio! The company’s search for a U.S. partner has ended in a deal with ZAP, the environmentally conscious auto distributor whose $1 billion order for Smart minicars was recently turned down by DaimlerChrysler.

In September ZAP purchased 20 percent of Obvio! and placed an order for 50,000 minicars. Obvio! currently has two vehicles designed, the 828 and the 012.

This Reuters article states the 828 will go for $14,000 and include a 170-hp 1.6L engine that propels the minicar to 60 mph in a mere 5.2 seconds. The 012 (shown) will be a high performance version with more power and a price twice as high. ZAP claims that demand for the two Brazilian born cars are so high it’s already stopped taking orders.

Read

[bloodzombie]

14k, 170hp, 0-60 in 5.2? I'm sold.

[cali]

hawtness

[JmalB]

Quote: Originally Posted by bloodzombie

14k, 170hp, 0-60 in 5.2? I'm sold.

But they need to hurry the hell up. I'm in the market for a new car now. I'm not going to wait another 2 years.

[boostins14]

im guessing its a 2 seater?

[Pilsburry]

"Tritec Motors

Tritec Motors is a new factory of high quality motors, located in Parana State - Brasil in a joint-venture between BMW and DaimlerChrysler, USA EPA approved products

Uses fuel injection system by Siemens, 16 valves, 4 cylinders in line, Obvio !`s high-power versions with 170 HP´s and 250 HP´s. This motor is used in the BMW Mini buided in England, the DaimlerChrysler Neon, builded in USA and the PT Cruiser builded in Mexico."

"Curb weight: 750 kg (1,648 lb.)"

"215x45x17 front and 245x40x18 rear"

"rear driven with mid mounted engine"

250hp suspossedly on the good engine....ours is 235hp.
245's with RWD vs 205's with FWD.
1650lbs vs 3000lbs.

Now that's a competitor.....

[Pilsburry]

Quote: Originally Posted by boostins14

im guessing its a 2 seater?

3 seater, but with the room provided I'd say 2 seater....it's 3 people across....

http://www.obvio.ind.br/obviona/012.htm

[Pilsburry]

Here is Zap's (the USA distributor) page also...

http://www.zapworld.com/about/news/news_obvio.asp

[suzq044]

been a while for the bench seat

Tritec Motors

1.6L

Engine Model

Otto cycle, 4-stroke gasoline

Induction

Naturally aspirated

Layout

4 cylinders in line, 16 Valves

Displaceament (cc)

1598

Valvetrain Type, Drive & Layout

16 valves, SOHC, roller rockers with hydraulic tappets. Chain driven with hydraulic tensioner.

Bore x Stroke (mm)

77 x 85.8

Compression Ratio

10.5:1

Cylinder Blocks - Material

Grey Cast Iron

Cylinder Heads - Material

Aluminum alloy A319 - High Silicium Content

Fuel Delivery System

Multipoint Sequential Fuel Injection

Engine Management System

Siemens 2000

Valve Diameter (mm)

30.23 Intake 23.26 Exhaust

Maximum torque (Nm @ rpm)

Obvio ! special specs – original starts at 149 @ 4500 RPM

Maximum Power Output (kW @ rpm)

Obvio ! special specs – original starts at 85 @ 6.000 RPM

External dimensions Length x Width x Height (mm)

590 x 465 x 675

Weight of engine (kg)

104

Obvio ! uses the ZF Ecotronic CVT - Continuosly Variable Transmission

The easyest choice for the driver: full stepless automatic or six electronic

"manual gearshift style" with shift levers in the steering wheel.


Width: 1,800 mm (71 in.)
Wheelbase: 2,250 mm (89 in.)
Height: 1,500 mm (59.0 in.)
Overall lenght: 3,200 mm (126 in.)
Curb weight: 750 kg (1,648 lb.)
Gasoline tank: 50 liters (13.21 Gallons)

Obvio ! 012 key-tech specs
• metallic chassis + Composite superstructure bonded = the chassis enters in the "RTM Light" forms (resin Transfer Molding Light) and forms only one part, with the cell of survival with high safety rating, formed by composites structuralized for absorption of impacts, traction, compression and torsion that receives afterwards all modular components;

• the structure resulting of setting the windshield as part of the chassis structure, with an integrated roll cage being part of the structural chassis;

• the chassis doesn’t have central tunnel - the interior is a "lounge – it provides a nice, smooth floor with large space for legs – ergonomically perfect - in a pleasant ambience, with a “sofa” for three passengers;

• gearshift of the CVT transmission – front, park, neutral and reverse - located at the left of driver, between the door and the seat and electronic six speed “manual gearbox style” control in the steering wheel;

• parking brake lever located at the left of the driver also, between the door and the seat;

• rear driven with mid mounted engine;

• dettachable "Boblbee" backpack as part of the dash design;