Engineers in Bucaramanga presented Colombia´s first electric car to a proud audience of journalists, politicians and academics Saturday.
The Salamandra –Spanish for Salamander- is a two seat car the size of Mr Bean´s mini-cooper, with a curvy and compact design that brings back memories of the Volkswagen Beetle or the long time Colombian favorite, the Renault 4.
The first model of the Salamandra line is the Lexion a three wheeled vehicle that works with electricity or gasoline. It´s fitted with a 15 horse power engine that can propel the handsome car to 65 km per hour speeds.
It´s not quite as fast as a gas guzzling vehicle, but the Lexion´s promoters say their invention outperforms the "green" competition. “Unlike the Reva, this car can climb hills” affirms Salamandra designer and general manager William Mercay. “It can climb 22 degree inclinations at 40km per hour and it can run for 70km before needing a recharge”
Mercay expects Salamandra production to begin in July in a factory outside Bucaramanga. Spanish Investor Carlos Gonzalez said the Lexion will sell for approximately 5,000 Euros, a price that makes it “at least five times cheaper than electric cars sold in Europe and the US”.
The Salamandra Lexion was built and designed in Colombia with the backing of start up company Yakey International, a network of investors, designers and engineers that is developing green technologies in Spain and Latin America.
Yakey investors have already set up Salamandra franchises in Mexico and Spain and the electric vehicle is set to appear in those countries roads during the first half of 2010.
Ever optimistic, the Venezuelan born Mr Mercay, says that future –four wheeled- members of the Salamandra family will accommodate five passengers and reach 100km per hour. He´s also working on an engine that will run with compressed air and on a Salamandra that will be able to advance through water, just like the amphibian the car took its name from. (photos: Manuel Rueda)
