Impact Automotive Technologies recently updated the design of the model. In September, a limited series of 500 units is planned for release, and by 2009, production volume should reach 5,000 units. The developers at Cree, when creating the SAM, aimed to make a product that would stand out from its counterparts: affordable price, comfortable handling, high safety standards, and full recyclability. The goal was also to minimize production and operating costs.
The vehicle's powertrain is highly efficient: consumption is just one kilowatt-hour per 100 kilometers. Additionally, the system can convert energy generated during braking or downhill driving into electricity. The prototype has already been tested on roads, and a limited batch of 80 cars is undergoing trials in Zurich and Basel. Mass production is expected to start before the end of the year, with an estimated price of 6,600 euros.
