The Indonesian's Electric Sports Car

Electric car apparently is becoming a trend in Indonesia. Look Mr. Dahlan Iskan, Indonesian’s SOE (State-Owned Enterprises) Minister, who interested in reserving a premium electric sports car to his private car, and the President of Republic Indonesia, Mr Susilo Bambang Yudhono (SBY) also chimed in order cars made in Yogyakarta.

"After this inaugural electric sports car was made for Mr. Dahlan Iskan, the next electric cars would we do is for Mr. President," said the maker of electric sports car, Danet Suryatama is an engineer graduate of ITS (Institut Teknologi Surabaya) with a doctorate from Michigan USA. Danet has worked as an engineer at the U.S. car manufacturer Chrysler over 10 years.

Tucuxi Electric Sports Car. (Picture from: http://balirecycling.com/)

At first glance, Tucuxi electric cars made beginning in June 2012, similar to 2054 Lexus concept car that appeared in the movie Minority Report, driven by actor Tom Cruise. While Tucuxi (Too-Koo-Shi) itself means dolphin which have inspired car's aerodynamic body. The dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis) whose habitat is scattered from the Caribbean to South America.

Tucuxi Electric Sports Car on road test at Istora Senayan, Jakarta. (Picture from: http://balirecycling.com/)

Design trapezoidal chrome grille facing downwards reminiscent of the Bugatti. The curve of the bumper look flush with the body and windows. The roof embraced the concept of panoramic roof, full glass that from the outside looks black to the rear body. Headlamps follow the lines of the body, sharpened down to the use of LEDs. Shades of the same found in the stern, with vertical lights in the second bumper design. Futursitic rearview mirror with LED turn signal lights form a sort of lightning strikes. Behind the rear number plate, there is a "plug" to recharge the batteries.

Front view of Tucuxi Electric Sports Car. (Picture from: http://life.viva.co.id/)

Two-door sports sedan, uses an electric motor 200kw Permanent Magnet AC that produces 268HP of power. The body is done by the craftsmen at Kupu Kupu Malam Autocustom workshop and use of Aramid-Carbon Fiber Composite with weighs less than 1,200 kg. Dimention of this car with the length x width x height = 4.413 m x 1.995 m x 1.200 m. This car also has a wheel base of 3.110 m with a ground clearance of 150.9 mm will make it more stable driven at high speed. For the wheel, the new electric sports car gets 22-inch alloy wheels. Inside, Tucuxi still get a distinctive touch red and white for the interior color. 

Interior view of Tucuxi Electric Sports Car. (Picture from: http://life.viva.co.id/)

This electric car only takes five seconds to advance at a speed of 100 km/h and claimed that  will be able to run at a maximum speed of 240 km per hour with a cruising range of 200-300 km on a single electric charge. If that is true, then this car will go to the list of the world's fastest electric car.

Side view of Tucuxi Electric Sports Car. (Picture from: http://www.solopos.com/)

The car's electric motor can be turned on by pressing the start-stop button just like other modern cars. According to its creator, Tucuxi sound like a siren. By using Lithium Iron Phosphate or Nano-Lithium, which can be filled from empty condition most rapidly for 4 hours to 10 hours depending on conditions.

Tucuxi Electric Sports Car on December 23, 2012 road test. (Picture from: http://autos.okezone.com/)

Danet said that his electric car technology is a combination of the United States, China and Indonesia, adding to the allure of Dahlan and calling about 50 percent are local components. "My machine brought from America, batteries from China, other components such as the accessories are local products," he added.

Danet admitted it was actually a prototype car made since 2008 by an automotive company based in Michigan, where he was the founder and president of the company. As a new company, ElektrikCar LLC recognizes that all matters such as design, technical review, administration and investors, they did on their own. But the target of this electric car will be produced commercially in Indonesia. He said that until now the electric sports car orders has reached 40 units Tucuxi, especially from government officials and businessmen. "For similar with Mr. Dahlan's, we made limited edition only 200 units," he said. The Tucuxi electric sports car will be sold at Rp. 1,5 billion in Indonesia, and is equivalent to the U.S. price of about $150,000. Next step for this electric sports car will also be in production to the United States and Europe market.

Furthermore, for commercial purposes, will be created a new design, but still refers to the concept of four-passenger sedan. "We have no design, we will take the price of Rp. 100-200 million (or approx U.S $10,500-21,000) making it more competitive," he added. May the spirit to make the electric car is not a momentary passion. With the growing EV technology in Indonesia will further promote the progress of Indonesia's automotive industry in the future. *** [ELETRIKCAR | EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES]

But unfortunately while done the unauthorized road test on Saturday (January 5, 2013), the Tucuxi electric car was in an accident on Plaosan area, the eastern slopes of Mount Lawu, Magetan, East Java, due to brakes problem. 

Many of those who deplore it when the accident occurred. This is reasonable because when the accident happened to the car, there is no single official document issued by the relevant agencies stating this electric sport concept car was roadworthy.

Indeed the car had crushed by Mount Lawu's cliff but in fact the car was destroyed by the impatience and arrogance of Mr. Dahlan Iskan. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES]
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