2008 Imperia GP

(from Imperia Automobiles Press Release) IMPERIA AUTOMOBILES. A new car for a new sensation

History never forgets

Between 1900 and 1950, Imperia wrote one of the finest pages in the history of the Belgian automotive industry. Flattering sales and convincing successes in different international races enabled the Liege-based manufacturer to occupy an enviable place in the prestige car niche.

Green Propulsion was born in 2001. Specialising in the development of clean motor vehicles, Green Propulsion soon became an essential European benchmark in its field.

Green Propulsion designed its own motorisations (an electric motorbike, an electric and hybrid Microbus, a hybrid Renault Kangoo and a hybrid city bus), and also worked in conjunction with major manufacturers to develop prototypes that are still kept secret.

Accumulated experience and know-how generated a new desire amongst the company managers: to develop an individual project that offers a decidedly innovative and appropriate solution to environmental problems.

Green Propulsion recalls that in 1907, Imperia achieved rapid success in the workshops of Pieper, inventor of the Auto-Mixte, the first hybrid vehicle, also called at the time the “petro-electric” car. Reviving the Imperia brand is a way of creating the future by remembering a prestigious past.

Good clean fun

Imperia hopes to create a new concept of vehicle. This concept involves new technologies, shares environmental concerns and introduces a new approach to driving and the pleasure it brings.

The Imperia GP roadster sees the light of day in 2008.  This is a project that has superb road-holding.

“PowerHybrid” propulsion

The motorisation of the Imperia roadster is its main innovation. It relies on a technology developed exclusively for this vehicle: “PowerHybrid” propulsion. This combines electric motor and thermal engine in parallel with a harmony never before achieved. In addition to its autonomy in electric mode, the Imperia GP offers an unlimited radius of action. The thermal engine takes over when battery recharging is required. Thanks to this hybrid motorisation, the Imperia roadster emits remarkably little CO2 overall (zero direct emissions in electric mode) and thereby plays an effective part in fighting global warming. Another exclusive feature is that it is the only hybrid car that can be recharged from the mains, simply via a power socket. Full charge is obtained in 3 hours, for an unbeatable cost per kilometre ratio (€2.10/100 km on day tariff, €1.10/100 km on night tariff).

Sports and environmental performances

The Imperia GP is comparable in consumption and CO2 emissions to a Smart ForTwo, whilst still guaranteeing outstanding performance (*), easily rivaling Ferraris or Porsches. It demonstrates brilliantly that a socially- and environmentally-responsible approach does not rule out the finer pleasures in life!

The In Thing

Design is very important for a car in the exclusive “prestige cars” niche. The Imperia roadster is of Neo-Retro style, which is very much the in thing. Distinct from standards commonplace in today’s vehicles, with its wings separate from the engine hood and its fluid lines, the Imperia celebrates the return to a concept where elegance is not sacrificed for efficiency. Serenely aggressive, its vertical radiator grille might suggest an aerodynamic weakness. In fact, it houses a mobile inlet device that regulates the flow of air into the vehicle and gives it a better penetration ratio than many contemporary cars.

Communication based on “buzz”

The Imperia is produced in small numbers. You will rarely come across it on the roads and never on 20 ft-high posters. It aims to establish its reputation via a different route. Its qualities enable it to drive endlessly along the “information highway” (a similarly Neo Retro name for the Internet), and you cannot fail to spot it there. And get to know it better.  There is no doubt that it will go very far.

(*)  Performances

The Imperia accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds in purely electric mode, and in 4.8 seconds in hybrid mode. The kilometre time trial clocks in at 22 seconds. Even the Porsche 911 Carrera S cannot boast as much. Specialists will appreciate it.

Contact :

Imperia Automobiles
c/o Green Propulsion
Liege Science Park
Avenue Pré-Aily, 20
4031 LIEGE - BELGIUM
Tel : +32 4 239 70 40
Fax : + 32 4 239 70 49
info@imperia-auto.be