The name ‘Imperia’ is one of the oldest names in Belgian (and European) car history, first being recorded in 1906, before going bust in 1948, only to be reborn in 2009 as a new company with ‘old roots’. The new company’s fruits of labour came at last year’s Brussels Auto Show, when they first unveiled a concept version of the ‘GP’, the new car.
The big news with the Imperia GP are its very efficient drivetrain and its neo-retro design, which we think doesn’t look half bad. Technically speaking, the car is a range-extender hybrid, being powered by a four-cylinder 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol motor, putting out 210 hp and 260 Nm of torque, coupled to an electric motor which boosts its power and torque figures by 134 hp and 300 Nm, bringing the total output of the system to 343 hp and 560 Nm - impressive numbers for a vehicle capable of returning 2 l/100 km and 50 g/Km of CO2.
However, with its sleek bodywork, low stance and 343 hp on tap, the 1,100 kg car is more than capable of going fast, reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4 seconds when using the combined power of both motors, or 6 seconds in pure electric mode. If you’re interested, the Imperia GP is already available for preorder, at €94,500 ($119,500), with deliveries expected to begin in 2013.
You might want to brush up on your French for this one.
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