Green Machines: Electric: It Takes Two
April 1, 2007
The Tango T600, a tandem two-seat electric vehicle, may be the oddest duck in
the pond. With a length of more than 8 feet and a narrower body than some
motorcycles, the car may appear to be at risk of a rollover. But even most
sports cars can’t compete with its stability, the result of an innately low
center of gravity from the floor-mounted batteries. It is also possible––and
completely legal––to park a Tango head-first in tight curbside spaces.; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
To
resolve the safety concerns inherent in any small vehicle, Commuter Cars
designed the Tango around a roll cage that exceeds NHRA safety regulations.
However, most impressive is the Tango’s sporty performance. Commuter Cars claims
the T600 can topple a zero-to-60 run in just four seconds and has a top speed of
120 mph. As a zero emissions vehicle, it can also cruise for 160 miles on a
fully charged NiMH battery. With such phenomenal numbers and a price tag, the
T600 offers everything a commuter could ever want from environmentally
conscious, tire-roasting transportation. Squeezing in and out of the backseat
can be an exercise in flexibility, and compared to the similarly price Tesla
Roadster (which boasts identical acceleration), the $108,000 Tango has become a
hard sell. (Click image to enlarge)
Commuter Cars Corp.
509.624.0762
www.commutercars.com
SPECIFICATIONS:
Price: $108,000.
Engine: 2 Advanced DC FB1-4001 9-inch motors.
Transmission: 2 direct drive gear boxes.
Power: 804 hp.
Torque: 1,000 ft lbs.
Curb Weight: 3,057 lbs.
Zero-to-60 mph: 4 seconds.
Top Speed: 150 mph.
Range: 40-160 miles (depending on type of battery).
Pro: No more chipping in for the company carpool.
Con: Similar to riding in a bobsled.
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