A false start in practical terms on the road to electrification.
This is part of a series of articles looking back at the cars on show that we feel deserve a little more attention than they really are. If you have suggestions for the Forgotten Concepts theme, feel free to drop us a line or leave a comment below.
The Forgotten Concept: The Impact of General Motors
First displayed: 1990 Los Angeles Auto Show
Description: electric car prototype
Sales pitch: “A Sunraycer for the real world.”
Detail:
First seen at the 1990 Los Angeles Auto Show, the GM Impact was the forerunner of the manufacturer’s pioneering EV-1 electric vehicle. The Impact, driven by then-GM CEO Roger Smith as part of the introductory presentation, is a small, two-seat hatchback that features extremely aerodynamic styling and a lightweight composite construction.
According to GM, the impact is designed using technology developed for the manufacturer’s Sunraycer solar-powered test race car, which won the 1987 World Solar Challenge.
Impact is powered by 32 Delco lead-acid batteries, and each GM, with 110 hp to the touch, accelerates to 60 mph from a stop in less than 10 seconds. The impact is said to be good for a 125-mile range.
Although the Impact is said to weigh just over 2000 pounds, the production EV-1 weighs in at almost 3100.
The Forgotten Concept: Chevrolet Electrovette
CG says:
Interestingly, the excitement surrounding the Impact had largely been lost by the time the production EV-1 hit the market for the 1997 model year. Sadly, some of the Impact’s specs were blurred. away due to the transition to being a street legal production car. And, the reality of driving a tiny two-seater with a range of only 74 miles—and only available in markets with limited warm weather—certainly makes things worse.
But the failure of the EV-1 does not diminish Impact’s importance. Credit Impact engineers have packed both extreme aerodynamics and regenerative braking in a single package that is said to be very comfortable and fun to drive. Looking back, the only thing the Impact/EV-1 really lacked were more advanced batteries—still 15 years away.
The Forgotten Concept: Mercury Marauder Convertible
General Motors Impact Gallery
(Click below to enlarge the image)
