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Working Loremo L1 diesel prototype to debut in Frankfurt

It's been roughly a year and half since we last talked about Loremo AG's lightweight 2+2 coupe. The vehicle generated a lot of interest due to its futuristic shape and incredible fuel efficiency due its diesel engine.

When Loremo first debuted the vehicle, it said that two models would be released: a 992 pound, 157 MPG, $13,000 USD Loremo LS and a 1,032 pound, 87 MPG, $17,800 USD Loremo GT. Loremo noted that the LS would reach 0-60 in 20 seconds and have a top speed of 99MPH whereas the faster GT would hit 60 MPH in 9 seconds and race on up to 137 MPH.

According to AutoblogGreen, Loremo is now ready to display a working prototype of its vehicle -- which is now called the Loremo L1 -- at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show. Loremo has also revised the fuel consumption of the vehicle from 1.5 liter per 100km to 2 liters per 100km -- that works out to roughly 117 MPG putting it squarely between the previous ratings for the LS and GT.

Loremo's L1 is also scheduled to compete in the Automotive X PRIZE (AXP). Contestants in the AXP much achieve at least 100MPG and emit no more than 200g/mile of CO2. There are 31 teams currently signed on to participate in the AXP competition.

"We are thrilled with the wide variety of teams and technologies from around the world that have expressed an interest in joining the competition," remarked Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, CEO and Chairman, X PRIZE Foundation. "We are confident that the Automotive X PRIZE will motivate and bring visibility to a range of non-traditional solutions from both traditional and non-traditional players. The time for incremental change is over. We need radical breakthroughs to stem the consumption of fossil fuels. An X PRIZE can help make this happen."

Another high-profile entry to the AXP contest is the Tesla Roadster. The $100,000 Lotus Elise-based sports car boasts a driving range of 200+ miles while being powered solely by batteries.

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sweet!
By Moishe on 8/14/2007 1:38:55 PM , Rating: 2
That thing is ugly, but the price is something that finally approaches "affordable" for a hybrid.

I also didn't know about the AXP which is a great thing. Commercial and consumer use is what drives innovation and drives the price down.




RE: sweet!
By helios220 on 8/14/2007 1:45:30 PM , Rating: 2
The angle in the shot is not the best, the side profile doesn't look as bad in my opinion but to each his own. With a lot of these new high MPG prototypes the shape is also influenced for aerodynamic qualities to reduce resistance and further increase fuel efficiency.

Regardless, I agree it's a tad fugly but the proposed price is reasonable and the efficiency is good so I could get past it.


RE: sweet!
By omnicronx on 8/14/2007 1:45:37 PM , Rating: 3
I think it looks kind of cool, way better than the prius.
Kind of looks like a Porsche 911 on steroids


RE: sweet!
By Hare on 8/14/2007 2:38:08 PM , Rating: 1
It looks nothing like a Porche 911.

Click on the second link and see for your self. I have no idea why you picked the 911 of all the cars.


RE: sweet!
By omnicronx on 8/14/2007 3:18:00 PM , Rating: 3
i google image searched to see the front. And this is why i said 'kind of'
http://images.auto-motor-und-sport.de/hps/img/hxme...
http://www.chrisabraham.com/porsche-911-turbo-thum...

compare for yourself.


RE: sweet!
By TomZ on 8/14/2007 3:32:57 PM , Rating: 2
By your standard, all 2-door silver/gray cars look the same, if photographed from the same angle?

Styling is in the details, and there are a ton of differences between those two. Most are also pretty clearly visible in the photos you linked.


RE: sweet!
By omnicronx on 8/14/2007 3:47:33 PM , Rating: 2
heh I just think it has a few 911 characteristics, i was not trying to imply this is a reworked 911 ;) compared to say an audi tt, s2000, corvette, etc etc.. i personally think it kind of looks like a 911, thats all. I am just glad it does not look like a prius, sports cars are aerodynamic for the same reasons as genuine hybrids(non camry, escape, etc.. models ), why designers can not emulate a sports car design is beyond me.


RE: sweet!
By omnicronx on 8/14/2007 4:02:11 PM , Rating: 2
batteries.. oh ya .. nothing like answering your own question..


RE: sweet!
By Alexstarfire on 8/14/2007 11:47:01 PM , Rating: 2
I'm sure the fact that the Prius and the Insight have the lowest Cd around isn't it. [/sarcasm]


RE: sweet!
By theapparition on 8/15/2007 7:28:11 AM , Rating: 2
Well, if you'd like to get technical, the lowest Cd on any production car was GM's EV1. The Insight also has a better Cd than the Prius.

When talking drag, the its the Cd*Area(cross-section) that matters, for example, you could design a large car with a very low Cd, yet it's size negates some of that advantage, while a very narrow car with higher Cd could perform better.

When it comes to sports cars, drag becomes much less of a factor than downforce and attack angles. No one cares about a Prius' ability to corner at 100mph, where for sports cars, proper design means all the difference between seeing the wall, or crashing into it. So, sports cars, are not technically, the most aerodynamic, because drag is induced to reduce lift.

As an aside, we all know that the biggest advantage of hybrids is city driving, precicely where drag has almost negligable effect. Only for highway driving does drag make a noticalble difference. My point is, if a very aerodynamic car with similar numbers to an Insight was designed with a conventional powertrain, it would be interesting to see the differences in highway mpg.


RE: sweet!
By Hoser McMoose on 8/15/2007 5:14:19 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
sports cars are aerodynamic for the same reasons as genuine hybrids(non camry, escape, etc.. models ),

While the Camry hybrid might not LOOK aerodynamic, it actually is. In fact, it's remarkably aerodynamic for something that looks like your basic sedan. Actually it's not just the Hybrid model of the Camry, all the 2007 Camry's are extremely aerodynamic vehicles.

The co-efficient of drag on the 2007 Camry Hybrid is 0.27, only slightly higher then the 0.26 of the Prius and much better then the 0.34 of the Chevy Corvette Z06. As far as actual drag (or at least CdA), they come out to 0.67m^2 for the Prius, 0.72m^2 for the Camry Hybrid and 0.82m^2 for the Corvette Z06.


RE: sweet!
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 8/14/2007 1:52:58 PM , Rating: 3
AFAIK, it's not a hybrid -- just a VERY lightweight car with a diesel engine.


RE: sweet!
By killerroach on 8/14/2007 1:57:31 PM , Rating: 1
Correct. It's not a hybrid. Short of using lithium-ion batteries (which hybrid makers like Toyota seem loath to do), it would take some serious black magic to get a hybrid up into this level of fuel economy (mainly due to the mass of the batteries, something that this car, obviously, doesn't have to worry about).


RE: sweet!
By Moishe on 8/14/2007 2:26:33 PM , Rating: 2
ahhh... you're right. The acceleration is super bad on the LS version, I was wondering about that... anything electric would probably accelerate faster.

I actually kind of like the cockpit, very clean and uncluttered. Not sure how the door opens up.


RE: sweet!
By Treckin on 8/14/2007 8:47:50 PM , Rating: 2
The whole front facia opens, and you step out the front sides, where the fenders were. Its rear engined.


RE: sweet!
By A5un on 8/14/2007 1:55:49 PM , Rating: 2
I thought this is a diesel?

I'm glad someone's doing something with diesel. Between now and hydrogen being fully commercial, I think diesel is the best alternative.


RE: sweet!
By Oregonian2 on 8/14/2007 2:03:10 PM , Rating: 3
Not just a diesel, but a diesel that has only 20-HP or 50-HP if they've used one of the two turbo engines mentioned in the previous article. Wonder how well it does going uphill with a heavy person driving? Reminds me of a Morris Minor (in terms of power) where that uphill test would be a problem. My late father once had a MM for a few months. :-)


RE: sweet!
By Ringold on 8/14/2007 4:12:23 PM , Rating: 2
20-50hp? You've got to be kidding me.

http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCatalog/HO/servl...

24hp, 4 wheel drive, power steering,cruise control, pseudo-automatic transmission, tilt steering column with full instruments and comfy seat.

Plus, it mows the lawn and looks better. :P


RE: sweet!
By Seemonkeyscanfly on 8/21/2007 11:57:29 AM , Rating: 2
and cost about the same. :)


RE: sweet!
By herrdoktor330 on 8/14/2007 4:19:07 PM , Rating: 2
The 20 HP might be better named a "Rolls Canardly": Rolls down one hill, Can 'ardly roll up the next. ;)

But seriously though, Diesel HP is kind of misleading. Because a low HP diesel actually produces a fair amount of torque, which is what will control hill climbing speeds. Case in point, I was reading on the forums for another popular turbo diesel engine club and they say that a 180hp diesel engine has all the torque of a 5.0 Ford Mustang. Granted this car will never be able to achieve that kind of HP, but if you consider that a Volkswagon Golf TDI has a 90 HP engine in a heavier curb weight car this thing should compare similarly... and for about $5k less.

My main concern with this car though isn't so much the HP, but the diesel fuel delivery system of the vehicle. Diesel has a tendancy to gel in cold climates. I'm hoping that they'll make sure to not skimp on any tank warming mechanisims and insulation for the fuel lines to prevent freeze-up. Fuel additives can be administered to compensate... but it always helps to limit the problem as much as you can.

I guess the bottom line here is that top speed on these cars is going to be less than exciting. But as far as functional driving goes, I'm sure these things will deliver in spades. Even the 20 HP model will be acceptable when you think about the savings. I would be interested in buying one for fuel economy alone. Just make sure my tank doesn't freeze when winter comes.