Tuesday 22nd February 2011

Imperia GP: The Retro-Styled Hybrid Coupe

Belgian's finest set to hit the streets this year

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Imperia's future...

This retro oddity is the Imperia GP, recently given its world premiere in - of all places - Belgium.

With the buzz surrounding the impending Geneva motor show, we'll admit that the Belgian version rather slipped our notice, but the Brussels show, held in January, did present the world with something interesting in the form of this home-grown (from a Belgian perspective) hybrid sports car.

A pre-production prototype that has been the product of three years of development, the Imperia GP is powered by a 204bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder (which sounds like a Peugeot-Citroen job to us) and a 132bhp electric motor.

...and Imperia's past

Running on electric juice only, the GP is capable of a range of around 70km, and can hit 62mph from rest in 6.0secs. With the aid of good ol' internal combustion, that drops to 4.0secs.

The reborn Imperia (the company used to make stuff like the car pictured right in the first half of the 20th century) is set to go on sale this year, with a 90,000 euro price tag (£76k).

Specifications
IMPERIA GP

Engine
Type Petrol
Layout 4 in line turbo
Displacement 1.6 l
Maximum torque 260 Nm
Maximum power 156 kW
Gearbox 5 speed
Motor
Type Induction
Maximum torque 300 Nm
Maximum power 100 kW
Batteries
Type Li-Polymer
Layout 1P96S
Nominal voltage 355 V
Capacity 31 A.h
Range on batteries > 70 km
Battery charger
Maximum power 3 kW
Net plug 220 V 16 A
Charging time 85% in 4h 100% in 5h
Chassis Steel spaceframe including safety cage
Body Composite
Suspensions Double wishbones
Rims 18 inches alloy

[anonymous-user]

Wow, this could be a stunner. I'd want one. Love all the retro looks, it's a bit 'Batman'

[entwisi]

I like that too...

[AnotherClarkey]

Well I think it looks awful - kind of like a Ssangyong Actyon coupe.

[ZOLLAR]

Its nice, but looks like a fatter version of the Aeromax.

[Pesty]

ZOLLAR said:

Its nice, but looks like a fatter version of the Aeromax.

aeromax and weissman

[Frimley111R]

Odd mix of ultra modern tech and old world styling

[jake15919]

A car so wrong on every aesthetic level. It looks like Pixar designed it. In a hurry. In the dark.

I've still yet to hear a convincing argument for Belgium.

[Snoggledog]

jake15919 said:

I've still yet to hear a convincing argument for Belgium.

The Germans seem to like it.

[louismchuge]

ZOLLAR said:

Its nice, but looks like a fatter version of the Aeromax.

Took the words from my keyboard

[Neil G60]

Looks too close to Morgan for me. Not bad looking but not original either.

[Chris71]

So near yet so far.

By which I mean so near to becoming an Aeromax (stylistically), but so far it's not succeeding.

[Mr Gearchange]

Looks like a total weissman rip off with a bit of morgan aero thrown into the mix.

[Haighermeister]

I'll have one in white with some graphite wheels.

[AshRS250]

I like it . . I thinks its a nice modern take on their previous retro model.

But it will be way overpriced and in direct competition with Morgan. Which i dont think they can compete against.

But if they kept the price low, it might do ok.

[Jerwatt]

It sounds really interesting in regards to the technology.

Imperia website said:

The principle of PowerHybrid® propulsion according to Imperia
During a journey, the driver can decide at any time, via a selector, the type of propulsion required: electric or hybrid.

Using another control, the driver decides whether he/she intends to run the batteries down completely (in order to recharge them on the mains, having reached the destination), or wants to keep a reserve to be used when entering urban traffic.

These functions enable you to optimise your use of the Imperia GP by adapting to circumstances.

Sounds a simple but effective way of stopping the batteries life shorting quickly, due to charging from partially full.

Edited by Jerwatt on Tuesday 22 February 12:13

[f111lover]

I quite like that.

[rocketride]

I love it !!!!

Why dont they style smaller cars like that!

Id have a newly re-styled Ford Model T for 20k any day over a focus!

New cars now look boring and dated really quickly! Retro is cool!!

Edited by rocketride on Tuesday 22 February 12:32

[FraserLFA]

I like it.

[James Dean]

Give me a Morgan everyday.

That said it's not that bad, but they should rework the front a bit.

[piefacemate]

Looks great, but it'll be a little aurally disappointing with a small capacity 4 pot I imagine. Shame something like the small capacity V6 that Citreon use in their hybrid limo isn't proposed.