|
Kaz Limousine
The KAZ (Keio
Advanced Zero-Emission) limo is not your casual limousine as this
electric vehicle hauls assets while not polluting the environment
one iota. While stretch limos have always looked a little different,
nothing will top the new Kaz Limousine electric vehicle (EV). Don't
expect to see Kas limo sitting still for too long, though. While
the outside might look odd, there's nothing humorous about the power
of this machine as it boasts 600 horsepower, a remarkable feat for
a car of its size.
Kaz Limo |
|
The Kaz Limousine
is also roomy, but it's not as big as most stretch limos you'll
see on the road. It seats eight folks very comfortably, but you
could probably squeeze a few more in if needed. This isn't the limo
that you'll want to cruise the Las Vegas strip in, however. It's
built to have a much more entertaining life than that. In reality,
you'd be better suited taking this luxury limo onto the NASCAR circuit
for a few laps.
What kind of
power are we talking about? In addition to that 600 horsepower,
the 6,578 pound Kaz Limousine boasts a top speed of 193 miles per
hour. When's the last time you saw a limo driver come close to hitting
200 on the speedometer? Because of its size, it's more suited for
high top speeds than it is for extreme acceleration.
The 0 to 60
mph time of around seven seconds is certainly not pedestrian, but
no one will mistake the Kaz's acceleration for that of a supercar.
It did perform well on the quarter mile drag strip, though. The
time of 15.3 seconds is remarkable for what should be a slow moving
passenger vehicle.
The Kaz Limousine
runs on lithium-ion battery technology, using 84 of the litter buggers
to power the vehicle. This battery has excellent range, though as
it can run for a full 180 miles before a recharge is needed. This
battery lifespan ranks the Kaz as one of the longest lasting vehicles
in its class.
The exterior
of the Kaz Limousine has an interesting look. Like most electric
vehicle concept cars, it doesn't look even remotely like the common
car you'll find on a local street. The vehicle is 8-wheel-drive
with a 55 kw electric motor in each wheel. The electric motors are
Nd-Fe Rare Earth magnets providing high torque in a compact size.
Two wheels
are staggered in the central part of the car, while two front wheels
complete the configuration. It sits on 17-inch tires that look just
a little bit too small for the bulky car. The top of the car is
relatively flat, until you get to the front of the vehicle, where
it gradually comes forward, leading some to compare the look to
that of a space ship. The windows are outlined in a shiny silver
that lights up brightly in the sun.
The Kaz Limo
is one of the most interesting limousines that one will ever see.
Its strange exterior and overloaded engine capacity make it one
of the coolest cars ever. The Kaz Limousine was built as a collaboration
between 14 Japanese companies and Italy's I.D.E.A. Institute.
Probably better
suited for a racetrack than a Sunday stroll, the Kaz Limousine is
reported to be a ton of fun to drive. As such, celebrities better
put on their neck braces before getting into this version of Mr.
Toad's Wild Ride. In addition, the yelling of "yee ha"
out the window is also required.
|
