AMP's Electrified Saturn Sky is a Finalist in the International $10M X Prize Compet

[Charlie]

A new story entry has been added:

AMP’s Electrified Saturn Sky is a Finalist in the International $10M X Prize Competition

AMP Holding Inc, a company engaged in the all-electric, emission-free conversion of General Motors vehicles, announced today that their AMP electric car has advanced to the finals of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize worldwide competition after passing the most recent "knockout" qualifying stage.

[MiSaturn]

The AMP'd electric Sky is a GM Saturn Sky converted by AMP, and powered by REMY International motors. As part of AMP's current offering of converted electric vehicles, the AMP'd Sky, as well as the full-size AMP'd Electric GM Equinox crossover, can be ordered by visiting the AMP website. Initial deliveries are expected to reach the market this year, by the end of summer.

Should be interesting to order a "new" Sky from these folks... . Wonder if they stockpiled them before the end of production - I do remember seeing several of them on flatbeds being moved around here - I would if that's what they were doing.

[emg77]

I got to ride in one of the other finalists earlier this year, the Commuter Cars Tango. It's a narrow tandem electric vehicle, and it was quick (0-60 in under 4 seconds). It was quite an experience, even if the ride was limited to 15 mph.

http://www.commutercars.com/

[SC2SkyVue]

Will go ahead and keep the SKY RL with it's real engine, thanks.

[gpartrid]

I saw a report on the evening news (NBC) earlier this week that the Federal Government MAY require the auto industry to give hybrid vehicles a noisier engine. The report went on to say that people with visual impairments (blindness) and other disabilities as well as pet owners have difficulty hearing approaching vehicles, in particular, when they're running on battery power and this supposedly poses a significant danger to pedestrians.

Although I agree with SOME of what I heard (specifically people with visual impairments), my initial reaction was a cynical head shaking and thinking "you just can't make it right for everyone". That's a bit of a disappointment.

There are also a few recent articles about "too quiet hybrid engines" I was able to find.

Good luck, AMP!