Zagato Zele

Zagato Zele

The Zagato Zele (in the U.S. also Elcar ) is an electric car that was manufactured mid-1970s by the Italian Zagato body work.

Construction

The Zele is a 1.95 meter long mobile scooter with mounted on a box frame plastic body, two doors, tailgate and two seats. Many components of the suspension were taken over by Fiat, the radial tires size 145 SR 10 originally came from Michelin.

Drive

The vehicle is driven by an electric motor means that (4.8 hp) 3.5 kW and comes from Marelli. With a hand control three forward and one reverse gear can be selected, the engine output is controlled by a two-stage accelerator. Keep the pedal pressed the voltage is depending on the driving stage 24, 36 or 48 V. The maximum speed is 40 km / h

Eight 12 -volt batteries, which together weigh 160 kg are in a sideways sliding drawer under the floor. They can be charged at 25 A, within six hours.

Model history

In Zagato in Terrazzano di Rho ( Milan province ) models Zele Zele 1000 and 2000 were produced, which differ only in the reach. In the 1000 this is a maximum of 70 km, while in 2000 up to 100 km.

From about 1975, both models were assembled and offered from here in the U.S. also in Elkhart (Indiana). There they were, the sales name Elcar 1000 and Elcar 2000.

Overall, said to have been built about 500 copies.