Imperia GP Hybrid Debuts at Brussels Motor Show

Belgian luxury auto maker Imperia Automobiles is reviving their car-making facilities in Liege. Now for $140,000 and change you can get a hybrid gasoline/electric retro-looking GP roadster. This beast will get you from 0 to 60 in four seconds using hybrid mode.

Drop into electric-only mode and you'll add only two seconds to that time. The secret the Imperia GP's dual power plants, including a 1.6 liter turbocharged direct-injected gasoline engine with 209 horsepower. The electric induction motor kicks another 74 horsepower to the wheels.

A key part of the PowerHybrid drivetrain, this 100 kW motor is powered by an 11 kWh lithium-polymer battery that plugs in to charge in just five hours with 220V and a built-in charger. According to US calculations, the Imperia GP is capable of 124 miles per gallon. In electric-only mode the vehicle has a range of up to 50 miles on a single charge.

Carbon dioxide emissions are incredibly low considering the speed and power this car is capable of exercising. According to Imperia Automobiles, the GP seeks to provide one solution to three parameters:

- Environmental concern, through motorisation based on Plug-in hybrid engine technology supplemented by path-breaking autonomy in electric mode.
- The pleasure of sport driving, obtained through high-level performance.
- Attention to design, conveyed through its neo-retro lines inspired from Imperia history that will seduce the most demanding amateur.

Looking at photos and specifications of this vehicle, it would appear they've achieved their goals.