Obvio Cars


One of the major issues facing the world is the effects of global warming, the reliance on oil and the amount of waste that driving a car contributes to the earth.  For those looking for a vehicle that is not only green, but extremely cool and trendy the Brazilian Obvio delivers.

The Obvio is a Brazilian car manufacturer and their specialty is the production of microcars.   A microcar can be categorized as cars that are high performance, trendy looking and exceptionally small..  The Obvio is similar to the Smart Car or MG Mini in class; however, it is even considerably smaller than these vehicles making it stand out as one of the leaders in microcar concepts.  There are currently two Obvio microcars in development; they include the 012 and the 828.  Obvio expects these two vehicles to be available to US consumers in 2008 distributed through ZAP.

The Obvio cars are like nothing you have ever seen.  They look extremely fun to drive, come in colors that that are stylish and include engines that give drivers powerful performance while achieving extremely high fuel efficiency.  They also accept several types of fuels that will be mentioned below.

Both the Obvio 012 and 828 are mid-engine cars that use variable transmissions.  A variable transmission is automatic; however it mimics a standard 6 speed transmission giving power to the driver without any lag. 

The Obvio 828

Everything about the Obvio 828 is smart and different from most cars on the road.  From its two tone green and orange exterior to its single bench interior that seats three comfortably and safely.  Here are just some of the things that make the Obvio 828 stand out in an increasing crowd of small, smart, green vehicles:

  • 1.6 liter, 115 horsepower Tritec engine that can run on NCG (natural compressed gas), 100% alcohol, gasoline or any mix of alcohol and gas. 
  • Front and side air bags
  • Specially designed passenger cabin for extreme safety
  • Exceptional fuel mileage. Expect about 29 MPG in the city and 40 MPG on the highway
  • Disc Brakes
  • Top speed of 100 miles
  • Dimensions :  Width: 1,650 mm (65.00 in.), Wheelbase: 1,750 mm (68.90 in.), Height: 1,500 mm (59.00 in.), Overall length: 2,650 mm (104.3 in.), Curb weight: 600 kg (1318 lb.), Fuel Tank: 50 liters (13.21 Gallons)
  • Retail Price:  $14,000

Besides the 828 standard versions, there is also a high performance version that includes an engine with 170 horsepower engineered by Lotus.  Other additions include Scissor doors, air conditioning, individual seats and an iMobile carputer that not only includes navigation, but digital music options, video, etc.

Obvio 828

The Obvio 828E

Besides the standard Obvio 828, the 828E is set for manufacturing and availability in 2009.  The 828E is an electric plug in version and includes the following features:

  • Vehicle Range 200 – 240 miles
  • Acceleration 0 to 60 < 4.5 secs with 200HP’s and two-speed transmission system
  • Top Speed 120 mph
  • Charge rate 30 minutes for 20 – 50 miles
  • Full Charge 2 hrs (fast), 5 hrs (normal)
  • Electric Propulsion      
  • Regenerative braking
  • Onboard, plug in anywhere charger
  • Retail price:  $59,000

More information at http://www.obvio.ind.br/obviona/828.htm

The 012, Obivo’s High Performance Microcar

The 012 includes similar features as the 828, but can come with an optional supercharged engine.  The 012 is set for sale in 2009 and is geared towards driving enthusiasts.  Some of the features of this vehicle include

  • 1.6 liter, 115 horsepower Tritec engine that can run on NCG (natural compressed gas) 100% alcohol, gasoline or any mix of alcohol and gas. 
  • Optional 175 horsepower engine or optional 200 horsepower engine
  • Front and side air bags
  • Specially designed passenger cabin for extreme safety
  • Exceptional fuel mileage. Expect about 29 MPG in the city and 40 MPG on the highway utilizing the 115, 1.6 liter engine
  • Disc Brakes
  • Top speed of 100 miles with the 115 hp engine, and more than 160 mph with either the 175 hp or 200 hp engine
  • Exclusive Mangels wheels
  • Dimensions:  Width: 1800 mm (71 in.), Wheelbase: 2250 mm (89 in.), Height: 1500 mm (59.0 in.),  Overall length: 3200 mm (126 in.), Curb weight: 750 kg (1,648 lb.), Fuel tank: 50 liters (13.21 Gallons)
  • Disc brakes
  • McPherson suspension
  • Continuous variable transmission
  • Target retail price:  $28,000

Besides the standard 012 package, the 012 can include extras such as individual seating, an iMobile carputer, air conditioning, full power, and leather seating. 

More information at: http://www.obvio.ind.br/obviona/012.htm

The 012E Electric Plug in Vehicle

Also slated for production is the Obvio 012E- electronic plug in version of the 012.  Features will include:

  • Vehicle Range 200 – 240 miles
  • Acceleration 0 to 60 < 4.5 secs with 200HP’s and two-speed transmission system
  • Top Speed 120 mph
  • Charge rate 30 minutes for 20 – 50 miles
  • Full Charge 2 hrs (fast), 5 hrs (normal)
  • Electric Propulsion      
  • Regenerative braking
  • Onboard, plug in anywhere charger
  • Retail price:  $59,000

Obvio 012

The iMobile Carputer

One of the special features available as an option in both the 828 and 012 vehicles is the iMobile Carputer.  Carputing makes it incredibly easy to access data, important information and entertainment while in your car.  Some of the special features of the hardware include the ability for the carputer to tilt and swivel, 160 gb hard drive, 2 gb of ram and a touch screen.  The iMobile carputer is easily located in the center of the dashboard for extremely easy viewing and control.

Just like your home computer, the iMobile carputer is full of incredible power and features.  First off, you can easily surf the internet with integrated browser, enabling you to check your email no matter where you drive.  In addition to internet functionality, the iMobile also lets you watch movies, live TV and listen to digital music.  iMobile comes with an MS Windows based environment that can play the following audio and video formats: MP3, WMA, DVD-Audio, WAV and AVI, DVD, MPEG, WMV, DIVX.

In addition, an integrated antenna can pick up the following signals: WAN, WWAN, Wi-Fi2, GPS, GSM-GPRS, FM and TV. And for those that don’t leave home without their iPod, there are 4 USB ports so that you can easily connect your iPod or other portable music players directly into the carputer.

All Obvio Cars are Extremely Green

All Obvio vehicles are extremely green and get exceptional fuel economy.  Both the standard 828 and 012 are able to use compressed natural gas, ethyl alcohol, gasoline or any mixture of these two and both the 828 and 012 cars have electric vehicle models slated for production as well.  The plug in vehicles will be one of the first mass produced cars that can plug directly into the grid and produce zero emissions.

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