Venturi have been producing electric sports cars since 2002 in small numbers (about 10 per year), the boutique automaker based in Monaco released a new model at this years Paris Motorshow called the Venturi America EV and as far as we can tell it’s a modern take on the 60s era VW based dunebuggy.

Sporting a liquid cooled 300hp electric motor and an advanced lithium-ion battery system the Venturi America is a unique concept that seems to be designed for extremely wealthy outdoor enthusiasts. Interestingly they chose a rear wheel drive layout rather than a 4×4 arrangement which would perhaps seems more fitting for an offroad vehicle.

Venturi hasn’t released any pricing information yet, however the Venturi Fetish costs about $580,000 USD and the America will probably have a similar price tag. It is hard to imagine spending that kind of money on a modern electric Myers Manx but knowing Venturi, they’ll sell out before you know it.

-To stay in the loop join our Facebook page grab the RSS feed or join us on Twitter @ElectroVelocity –

The VENTURI AMERICA combines both the values of traditional America and those resulting from new awareness of ecological issues.

This new American dream is embodied by this new model from VENTURI : a high-riding electric sports car that one can see oneself driving, one’s hair in the wind, through the fantastic scenery offered by this vast continent.

Equipped with the same motor of over 300 hp as the VENTURI FÉTISH, this new-era “buggy” is, in fact, a high-powered lightweight vehicle with a chassis specially designed to suit its particularly high body. The AMERICA is nevertheless an acceleration car that symbolizes “cool green attitude” while being a luxury technological product.

In fact, there is nothing today that is anything like this fantastic vehicle, half sports car, half buggy, but it is well worth betting that VENTURI has once again come up with a model that will enter the annals of history.

The AMERICA also marks a new milestone for VENTURI which has just launched VENTURI NORTH AMERICA in Columbus, Ohio. In parallel to its sites in MONACO and FRANCE, this new unit will enable VENTURI to pursue its technical and commercial development in the United States.

Extreme Versatility

A real synthesis of two exclusive automobile worlds, the AMERICA is both an electric sports car and an all-terrain leisure vehicle. This “mix” approach ensures extreme versatility in use.

Its performance, balance and sports car road-holding, combined with its particularly high body and specific tyre mounting, ensure that it is equally at ease on steep paths as on the highway.

This electric “Buggy” offers the possibility of venturing off the beaten track while respecting the environment in terms of both noise pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

The America’s design, by Sacha Lakic

“Design of the America,” signed Sacha Lakic

Some dreams stay with us forever, and become clearer over time.

That of driving a fast, modern and silent sports car through amazing scenery is one of them.

The AMERICA was born for the great outdoors.

Just as comfortable on the secondary highway network in the USA as on narrow mountain roads in Europe, or even fast earth tracks, this car of a new kind offers unique driving pleasure comprised of precision, acceleration and gliding.

It has the Venturi ADN. This is indeed an innovative sports car, hi-tech and refined. Behind the wheel, the absence of any noise and a panoramic field of vision give an impression of total freedom.

The AMERICA is a contemporary sculpture in movement, both simple and sophisticated, and charged with emotion : the purpose of each one of its curves is to give both visual and tactile pleasure .”

VM300 : a new-generation electric motor

The AMERICA has borrowed its motor from the new FÉtish, the VM300, which, with over 300 hp (+220 kW) and torque of 380 Nm, is the most advanced electric motor ever designed for an automobile.

To get the very best out of such a motor, a new 54 kWh battery pack has been developed (LIV-10 Lithium Ion Polymer batteries) whose electronics (Battery Management System) have been entrusted to Ventec, the leader in the field.

The AMERICA offers a real range of up to 300 km. Thanks to its on-board charger, it can recharge using a standard electrical socket or fast charge terminals (see Specs).

Type :

2-seater roadster

Rear wheel drive

Electric motor :

Max power: 220 kW, central rear mounted

Max torque: 380 Nm from 0 to 6000 rpm

Max rating: 12,500 rpm

Liquid cooling

Transmission :

Differential gear reduction with limited slide, direct hold

Ratio: 1/8.5

Batteries :

Technology: Lithium Ion polymer

Energy: 54 kWh

Weight of battery system: 450 kg

Liquid cooling

Battery life-span: over 1,800 cycles

Regeneration system via deceleration

BMS (Battery Management System) developed by VENTEC