Volpe Design
Design
Volpe is a new type of vehicle: a “citymobile” designed for living and working in today’s urban environment, where time is valuable.
The Volpe is the outcome of putting aside the “book of conventional rules” on behalf of the best engineers and stylists and applying all their skills, intuition, knowledge and the latest technology to make something useful, unique and special: a vehicle that makes sense. A smart and intelligent solution, brought to life to help us live our everyday life better and rediscover the joy of driving in the city, yet spending much, much less.
The Volpe is not just an idea, but a precious instrument at the service of those who live in cities. It is freedom of movement... without a need to compromise.
Styled by Zagato
Zagato, one of the most prestigious automotive design and styling centres, has worked in Milan with Volpe ’s expert engineering team, to blend precision and technological performance with modern and elegant design into its engineering.
Furthermore Volpe’s engineering team has focused on all the latest technology, functions, safety, comfort and control systems - including four energy sources: batteries, fuel tank and a methane gas bottle for the efficient running of the bi-fuel generator (all in 2.2m2) as well as an optional photovoltaic roof to capture the clean energy from the sun.
Volpe has been modeled, designed, built and developed for today’s real city life.
The exteriors
Compact and compelling, the Volpe is a micro-vehicle made of steel.
The distinguishing characteristic of the Volpe vehicle is the monocoque chassis which has been developed using the latest generation technologies and materials.
Having a low centre of gravity, the Volpe hurtles along close to the ground, giving it optimum stability and handling.
A large air intake below the bumper, distinct side trimmings, a wider rear track and bigger wheel arches that house large-diameter tyres, all serve to give maximum performance. All these particulars have been designed and engineered starting from starting from scratch.
The Lambo doors open skywards to ease getting in and out of the vehicle.
The doors are made of aluminium , making them extremely light. At the same time they are fitted with side impact reinforcement bars, which makes them extremely robust.
The designers discarded using traditional car doors, as these require precious room in car parks. The tandem seating arrangement allows both passengers to climb in and out of the vehicle on the safest side of the road, away from any oncoming traffic.
The large wind-screen provides excellent visibility and the rear passenger doesn’t obstruct the driver’s rear vision. The rear hatch opens upwards. With the rear seat folded back there are 175 litres of boot space for suit cases or shopping bags.
In the rear seat backrest there is room for all necessities. The battery charger cable, type repair spray kit and other utensils are cleverly stored in the backrest in order to save space, leaving space put one’s belongings.
The interiors
Seemingly very small as seen from the outside, the Volpe is surprisingly spacious inside. The central seating position of both passengers gives greater space to the driver, if compared to a traditional vehicle.
The specially designed front seat with net backrest and seat is made of high-tech materials.
Its central position aids access to the dashboard, making it easy to reach the controls. All switches are placed so as to make their position comfortable and functional, and their use intuitive.
The two-tone interiors make the passenger compartment bright and airy.
The electronic display is integrated in the non-glare dashboard. The display clearly indicates the charge of all three main sources of energy (including the solar panel, if installed).
A tachymeter, showing all standard safety indicators, completes the basic features. The driver can vary the driving mode, so as to have greater performance, by increasing the power of the vehicle. The driver may otherwise choose to be more parsimonious and drive in Eco Mode; this will save energy and reduce pollution to a minimum, in relation to the type of area he is driving in.
The automatic transmission and the engine braking feature for long descents complete the driving modes.
The folding rear seat has been designed for typical short range urban driving. When there is no rear passenger, the back seat may be used as a rest for objects or as a boot. Ledges on both sides of the driver can host a briefcase each.
The Volpe offers wide connectivity: a Smartphone, an MP3 or a Sat Nav may be connected through the appropriate jack or port. Bluetooth may be used to connect one’s Smartphone for hands-free phone calls or to listen to the radio. The overhead light and container net for documents and small objects complete the interiors, which have been designed in four different colour variations.
The dashboard hosts the centralized door locking system, the electric windows and the air conditioning switches. A USB port and a standard battery charging socket complete the dashboard controls.
Technology and driving performance
Volpe brings back the pleasure of driving in today’s stressful city centres.
Traffic lights, roundabouts, junctions, bicycle lanes, tram and taxi lanes, parked vehicles, pedestrian crossings: it is all about being able to get through traffic and around obstacles, yet having all the necessary performance when needed.
“Stop-Start” city driving is the advantage of electric motors in cities. Every start is a winning one, thanks to the surprising torque from stationary. Precision steering, responsive handling, stability, control and stopping power make the Volpe run around town faster and fully protected.
Purpose engineered as a “citymobile”, the Volpe is tuned for urban driving. Being always powered by electric motors (even in range extender mode) means that all of the torque - the pulling power - is available instantly for brisk starts and sprints.
Disk brakes on all four wheels ensure quick and smooth stopping without brake fade. Breaking distances are drastically reduced thanks to the immediate action of the electric motor generator, which activates the booster in the deceleration phases. Rack and pinion adjustable steering and independent four-link suspensions give precision handling and immediate driver feedback.
Immediate power
A traditional thermal engine car needs to reach a certain number of revs before you can use all the available horse power. But in an electric vehicle, all the torque is readily available even from stationary, so that you can use all of the power instantly.
Volpe brings back the desire to rediscover the beauty of your city
Caratteristiche tecniche
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| Download brochure | Download brochure | Download brochure | Download brochure | |
| Purely electric quadricycle | Hybrid electric quadricycle with bi-fuel (methane/petrol) generator | Hybrid electric quadricycle with bi-fuel (methane/petrol) generator | Hybrid electric quadricycle with bi-fuel (methane/petrol) generator | |
| Power Rating | 4 kW | 4 kW | 8 kW | 12 kW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autonomia | 50-70 km in urban traffic on full charge | 350-380 km in urban traffic on full charge and full tanks | 350-380 km in urban traffic on full charge and full tanks | 350-380 km in urban traffic on full charge and full tanks |
| Battery recharge cost (1) | 45 Euro Cents | 45 Euro Cents | 65 Euro Cents | 75 Euro Cents |
| Drive | Front wheel, with automatic gear shift | Front wheel, with automatic gear shift | Front wheel, with automatic gear shift | Four wheel (8 kW front + 4 kW rear), with automatic gear shift |
| Weight | 350 kg | 350 kg | 400 kg | 400 kg |
| Speed homologation | 48 km/h | 48 km/h | 105 km/h (limited to 80 km/h) |
105 km/h (limited to 80 km/h) |
| Driving licence / age | Subject to local laws. From age of 14 with appropriate driving licence (2) |
Subject to local laws. From age of 14 with appropriate driving licence (2) |
Subject to local laws. From age of 16 with appropriate driving licence (2) |
Subject to local laws. From age of 16 with appropriate driving licence (2) |
| Standard colours | 4 basic colours. Cataphoretic coating on galvanized sheet steel |
4 basic colours. Cataphoretic coating on galvanized sheet steel |
6 basic colours. Cataphoretic coating on galvanized sheet steel |
6 basic colours. Cataphoretic coating on galvanized sheet steel |
| (1) Tariffs 5 June 2012 (2) For Italy |
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4 sources of energy
Volpe has four models with four different types of energy source: electric, petrol, methane, solar that confer healthy and clean mobility together with maximum autonomy.
Globo, purely EV with a 4KW electric engine, is the cleanest solution with a range of 70 km.
If this distance does not respond to one’s needs, there are three models equipped with a range extender: Goal, Graffio and Guru. These models have an electric traction motor, but also have an on-board generator that runs on methane (natural gas) as well as petrol.
You can also customize your Volpe with a rooftop solar panel that “captures” the very clean energy of the sun!
The methane/petrol generator keeps the batteries charged, giving the Volpe incredible autonomy, with a range in excess of 500 km! You will then be able to choose whether to drive in purely electric mode, when driving through restricted traffic zones, or in hybrid mode for all other areas.