Gurgel Itaipu
| Gurgel Itaipu | |
|---|---|
 Itaipu E150/II | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Gurgel |
| Production | 1975 |
| Assembly | Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | city car |
| Body style | 2–door sedan |
| Powertrain | |
| Electric motor | 3,000 W (3.0 kW; 4.0 hp), 120 V |
| Transmission | Single speed reduction gear |
| Battery | 10 x 12V in series |
| Range | 60–80 km (37–50 mi) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 1,620 mm (63.8 in) |
| Length | 2,650 mm (104.3 in) |
| Width | 1,400 mm (55.1 in) |
| Height | 1,450 mm (57.1 in) |
| Curb weight | 780 kg (1,720 lb) |
The Gurgel Itaipu E150 is an electric car, produced by Gurgel. The Itaipu was presented at the Salão do Automóvel in 1974, with an intended production start in December 1975.[1] Only a few of these cars were produced, as it was of poor quality and drivability. Top speed was a mere 50 km/h (31 mph). While about twenty pre-series cars were built, it never truly passed the prototype stage to hit the showroom floor. Nonetheless, it was the first electric car built in Latin America.[1] The car was named after the huge hydro-electric dam and power plant on the border of Brazil and Paraguay.
The cars design was unique, a very compact trapezoidal two-seater. The car itself weighed a mere 460 kg (1,014 lb), with the remaining 320 kg (705 lb) consisting of batteries.[2] The name "Itaipu" was brought back for a larger commercial vehicle in 1980, called the Itaipu E400. This was based on the Volkswagen-engined Gurgel G800.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 Pereira, Fabiano (April 2007). "Clássicos: Grandes Brasileiros: Gurgel Itaipu" [Classics: Brazilian Greats: Gurgel Itaipu] (in Portuguese). Quatro Rodas.
- ↑ "Gurgel Itaipú: Especificações técnicas" [Gurgel Itaipu: Technical specifications]. gurgel800.com.br (in Portuguese).