German automaker, Artega, first unveiled the Artega SE at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show last March, showing the promise of what a German electric sports car could look like. Of course, their purpose was to also give the US-based Tesla and their pride and joy, the Roadster 2.5, something to think about.
Recently, the Artega SE was in attendance at the Frankfurt Motor Show with plenty of updates on the vehicle. The model that we saw at Frankfurt looks to be one of the few test prototypes of the electric sports car. While expectations are understandably high for the SE, Artega is tempering its expectations on the car, leaving it with a concept tag while it still undergoes testing and development.
Ultimately, the company has made no bones about its intention of bringing the Artega SE into something more than just a concept car. Artega chief executive, Peter Müller, put it in simple terms: "Our aim is to combine environmental responsibility with the passion for automobiles."
The Artega SE is an electric version of the company’s initial offering, the Artega GT. The two cars sport the same body and aluminum spaceframe with the only notable difference being the powertrain fitted under its hood.
UPDATE 09/20/2011: Engadget has received confirmation that the Artega GT’s younger brother - the Artega SE - will indeed be heading to US shores. There’s no specific timeline as to when this will happen, but at least we know it will!
Details on the Artega SE after the jump.
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The Artega SE may be the one getting all the attention, but Artega is determined to keep their offering, the GT version, as fresh as possible.
During the 2011 Geneva Motor Show held last week, the German automaker unveiled their latest project, an all-electric, Tesla-beating sports car that produces as much as 275 horsepower, courtesy of two, independently-operated electric motors mounted on the car’s rear axle. But while the SE figures to be a topic of conversation for the next few weeks, we definitely shouldn’t sleep on the car for which the Artega SE was based on, the Artega GT.
As far as aesthetics and performance figures go, the Artega GT makes no qualms about what it has. Designed by Henrik Fisker, the same man behind the BMW Z8, the Aston Martin Vantage, and the Fisker Karma, the GT was built by Artega with only one vision in mind: create a high-powered sports car and doing it on one of the lightest aerodynamic bodies in its market segment.
Using a combination of an aluminum space frame, high-strength steel and alloys reinforced with carbon fiber, the Artega GT is about as sleek and svelte as they come. The fact that it produces around 300 horsepower is the proverbial cherry on top of the sundae.
Details on the Artega GT after the jump.
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Artega unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show the Intro 2008 Special Edition. This limited edition Artega GT will be limited to only 99 units and will go on sale at a price of €79,790.
The Artega GT Intro 2008 will feature unique paintwork, diamond-turned Artega forged alloy wheels, individually numbered plaques on the side panels and gearshift console, as well as custom velour and leather trim.
The Artega GT is powered by a 3.6-litre V6 that delivers 296 hp at 6600 rpm and a peak torque of 258 lbs-ft at 2400 rpm. It makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in less than 5 seconds and can hit a top speed of 167 mph.
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