Venturi’s Electric Eclectic, Version 2.0
February 20, 2008

By Nick Kurczewski

MONTE CARLO, Monaco — As the only automobile company to call the glamorous enclave of Monaco home, it’s no wonder Venturi has turned environmentally friendly vehicles into green-themed status symbols. The second generation of the company’s successful solar-electric Eclectic model is due later this year.

First seen at the 2006 Paris auto show, the Venturi Eclectic certainly lives up to its name. Looking like a cross between a dune buggy and a lunar rover, its design evolved around the 2.5 square meters of solar panels on the roof. The Eclectic seats three, and when fully charged has a range of 30 miles.

Recharging the current Eclectic’s liquid-cooled, nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries is done via a normal plug and outlet. This takes about 3 to 5 hours. However, the solar panels and an optional Venturi-developed wind turbine can also be used for recharging duty. Mounted separately from the car, the turbine provides up to 9 miles of charge per day. On a sunny day, the solar panels provide an additional 5 miles of range.

The initial run of 200 Eclectics was sold last year. Company representatives confirm production will be increased and the second-generation―the Eclectic II―is scheduled to appear at the Paris auto show in September. However, a sneak preview of some of the improvements might be seen as early as late March, during the Ecological Vehicles and Renewable Energy (EVER) conference held in Monaco.

Details remain sketchy, but we’ve been told Eclectic II will remain true to the electric and solar urban-vehicle blueprint of the first generation. Venturi has told AutoObserver improvements will focus on the Eclectic’s “size, weight, materials and price…in order to answer the needs of a larger market.”

Plans also include a “smaller and more affordable” Eclectic. The current version costs about $34,000, not including options. A company representative said the proposed cheaper and compact version will be “more adapted for city centers and will not target only companies, administrations and hotels but also individuals.”

We wouldn’t be surprised if this variation targets customers in London and other urban areas where electric vehicles are exempt from city-congestion charges.

Photos courtesy of Venturi.

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