new Messershmitt? Cool novelty!
 

Egads... the price!

They should offer it without the EV portion... just a fiberglass or CF shell over a recumbent cycle...

Pedaling it without the electric motor would be difficult, I think. $7,200 is a reasonable price, really - especially for a startup. It is a two person vehicle(IF you don't use the cowling?), and if you compare it to say the Organic Transit ELF, which is one person human electric hybrid that starts at $5,000 (white only). Colors cost $125 more.

The battery in each is similar (ELF is 48v while the Veloschmitt is 36v) and I think the ELF motor is 500W or 600W, while the Veloschmitt motor is 250W. The Veloschmitt looks 'cooler' and more aerodynamic.

http://c1gas2org.wpengine.netdna-cdn...hmitt_main.jpg

http://organictransit.com/shop/image...elf-wasabi.jpg

The ELF has a solar panel (60W with a 100W optional), and that is a big advantage.

I would rather have a 262 but the fuel costs would kill me! :D Chumly

I do appreciate an innovative & stylish product, having said that recumbents in general, velomobiles in particular suffer more then a little from inflated pricing - one of my "favorite" examples is a 20mm mountain bike/BMX thru-axle is usually half the price of the exact same part for a recumbent...

It's hard to justify it as a practical alternative with such impractical purchase costs. My concern is for those new to alternative transportation being deterred by such disproportionate pricing, e-vehicles already having somewhat of a reputation for such it's not doing the market any good.

I'm familiar with production costs, as an example this one-off hybrid - complete with a 49cc four stroke and a 36v 1000w ehub w/LiFePO4 pack, fully suspended w/RockShox, Avid disc brakes & more cost about $3500usd to fabricate... which puts me in almost a 100% profit range should it be sold for the same as the Veloschmitt;

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps5b210987.jpg

...granted, it doesn't have a veloshell - but that's a heck of a price for a body & not a lot else...

My Pod shell cost $3000.usd in 2003 dollars, and everything mechanical cost about the same; for $6000. I was rolling (almost the same as the 'Shmitt- 36V/hub)! In a way that was a great expense, and I certainly got my moneys worth, but it turned out to be a very expensive investment if I wanted to make money with it. Sold the recumbent trike for $200.00 and the shell for $60.00. It was fun to wear everything out though :D

The Messerschmitt looks cool. BTW I've already considered a similar project, but would rather use a Honda Cub engine (too lazy to pedal, I gotta confess).