Velozzi Supercar and Solo SUV

9. Velozzi Supercar and Solo SUV

Velozzi (Beverly Hills, Calif.) /// 100 mpg (both) /// $100,000-plus (supercar), $30,000-$35,000 (SUV) /// velozzi.org

They may not have a running prototype today, but the 20-member crew at Velozzi does have extensive plans and an inventive design for both a supercar (pictured above) and a mass-production SUV. A full-scale design buck is being constructed right now, with a powertrain in tow and plans to line up suppliers soon. CEO Roberto Velozzi tells PM that 300 acres have already been allocated for a solar-powered production plant in China, while the South African government has expressed interest in its own facility. The company is also exploring retail options that include stand-alone dealerships.

How it Works

Team Velozzi will enter the AXP with two plug-in hybrids; the original powertrain element for both will be microturbines functioning as onboard generators to charge the batteries. “These are just very small versions of the turbines you might find in a helicopter and can handle a variety of liquid fuels,” Roberto Velozzi says of the microturbines, which have been undergoing bench testing for four months. “When you run them at the right rpm, they can be incredibly efficient.” For the 3000-pound-plus supercar to hit its targets of a 200-mph top speed and 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, however, carbon-fiber bodywork and a lightweight tub (aluminum, composite or carbon fiber) aren’t going to cut it alone—battery tech will be key. Velozzi admits that the cost of packs from U.S. suppliers has been a major hurdle, so the company will likely source them from China.

Bottom Line

This appears to be a well-rounded squad, with engineering experience in Formula One race cars, fuel-cell vehicles and high-performance racing boats—not to mention concept cars at top firm Metalcrafters and high-level supply companies. Though there’s a lot of outsourcing to China involved, Velozzi will work with Bayer Material Science to produce bodywork in bulk and Virginia Tech to reinforce it with carbon nanotube pellets. Plans are for the supercar and SUV to hit the global market by 2010.