The Thuringian Company Innovative Mobility Automobile GmbH, IMA for short, presents its electric one-seater Colibri at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
The Colibri is a compact one-person electric vehicle which provides generous interior space despite its minimal measures of 2.75m length, 1.18m width and 1.30m height. A specially designed lifting mechanism eases entering and exiting, while pedals and steering wheel can be adjusted to suit drivers between 1.58m and 1.98m. The trunk offers enough volume for two crates.
The construction highlight is the lightweight frame on a magnesium-steel basis, reducing vehicle weight and, hence, energy consumption costs. Vehicle developer B&W from Wolfsburg as well as developer Altair Engineering have proven that this lightweight construction does not affect safety. The Colibri will pass the Euro-NCAP crash test as the first vehicle of its class.
IMA claims the Colibri has a range of 110 km (68 miles) from a 6.5-kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery. Zero-to-100 km/h (62 mph) time is apparently 9.9 seconds and a top speed of 120km/h (74 mph).
Together with an experienced contract manufacturer and other industry partners, the Colibri will enter serial production in late 2014 with a mid-term production volume of 17,000 vehicles per year. Its price will be under 10,000 Euro, with an additional monthly battery lease. Compared to conventional micro cars, the Colibri has one third less mobility costs.
Based on a current market study, IMA sees a market potential of 500,000 customers in the b2b market in Germany. Primary customers encompass carsharing providers, municipalities and delivery and mobile nursing services, for whom the Colibri is economically interesting.
Private customers as well are increasingly interested in intelligent traffic concepts which allow for a mix of different modes of transportation like private cars, carsharing, public transportation or rail. Within this mix, the Colibri can cover 80% of the private mobility demand.
