Advanced Mechanical Products CEO Jack Kuntz explains how his team plans to electrify Saturn's Sky
Open Access Article Originally Published: June 13, 2007
The market for sporty electric cars is starting to get crowded, but a small Blue Ash, Ohio start-up is determined to join the race by adding an interesting new wrinkle.
As most engineers and entrepreneurs learn quickly, the hard part of building an electric vehicle, be it battery or hybrid, is its computer control system, or what Advanced Mechanical Products Chairman and CEO Jack Kuntz likes to refer to as the "secret sauce", which is what he sees as differentiating his AMP Motor Work's all-electric car from the small, but growing number of competitors.
But Mr. Kuntz and company are just now embarking on their journey to create an all-electric version of the Saturn Sky, officially forming the company late last month, issuing a cryptic press release what generated an equally abbreviated, four paragraph news story in a local paper. As he explained during just as brief a telephone interview with EV World, the company is now starting to buy equipment for their newly leased industrial space in Blue Ash, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati.
Once they've gotten up and running, the plan is to remove all the internal combustion engine components from their newly-acquired Saturn Sky sports coupe, following a familiar path taken by companies like Phoenix Motorcars, ZENN and even Tesla, to a degree.
Why the Sky?
"It's a sexy little car," he replied, adding that they thought it would add to the public relations appeal of the car. [How many 'sexy' electric sports cars can the world endure, one starts to wonder?]
"Besides that, it's an American-made car... and in picking a model for our prototype, weight had a lot to do with it. The Saturn Sky is 2,900 pounds (1315 kg). So, we wanted to have a relatively light car."
Kuntz explained that the company plans to also offer similar conversions of the Saturn Aura sedan and crossover SUV, emphasizing that "this is not just a one trick pony."
"Our project plan is to complete our prototype by the end of this calendar year."
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9 comments so far...
19-Jun-2007
56788
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The problem with building an EV from the ground up is the extremely expensive and time consuming on-road qualifications needed in most countries. Existing gasoline vehicles all have these done as a matter of course, so for start ups and other small companies converting a proven frame is going to cost far less than a greenfield approach. To do the latter you really have to be close to multinational in size - it could take many, many tens of millions to get into full production, compliant in most western countries and that excludes the engine. It shows really how cheap EVs are to develop if all you have to do is build the power train and energy storage systems! Try doing the reverse and convert, say a gasoline car to a diesel, where you only had access to various PARTS of the engine, (block, injectors, fuel system, exhaust, transmission, gearbox, auxiliaries, engine management computer) and they all had to be mechanically and electronically combined together by the installer. It would cost millions itself. So don't knock the smaller companies, they're taking the only approach feasible with less than 9 digit investment levels.
Posted by: Tony Maine
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17-Jun-2007
56725
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The Tesla Roadster seems a conversion to me because it is, quite recognizably, a Lotus Elise. Some minor changes were made. But unlike the EV-1, the Roadster was not designed as an electric car. It was converted from a gasoline car by taking out the gasoline engine and related parts and putting in an electric motor and batteries.
Not to criticize that approach. But it has not worked well in the past. And even with all these people trying it again, I don't think it will work now.
Posted by: john
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20-Jun-2007
56800
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Your point is well taken.
I don't mean to knock the smaller companies. In fact, I admire them. I just think they have little, if any, chance of success.
Posted by: john
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29-Jun-2007
56897
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Nice chart but you didn't count on gas being $4 a gallon in 2007 and $7 a gal in 2008 up to $10 or 11 by 2010.
You also have to show the cost of the war and pollution. With that in my chart it's a priceless cycle. Almost as good as my bicycle that also gives me exersize.
Posted by: jim stack
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13-Jun-2007
56644
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Bill, that is a very perceptive comment that the Tesla Roadster is, to a degree, a conversion. I'd like to see a truly electric car, one conceptually different from a gasoline car. These conversions may be the only economical way to go right now. But the future lies, I think, in a truly electric car.
Posted by: john
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13-Jun-2007
56655
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STOP right there AMP. The Sky cost much more 30K than the Saturn Ion, weighs more and only seats 2. It cost 13K and is 2800 lbs. The Aura and VUE also also more costly and weigh even more.
Too bad you can't use the 2001 Saturn SL1 at 2200 lbs and 11K but sadly GM Saturn upsized their great vehicle. Less Mass is everything on mpg and EV range.
The batteries are the key to performance and range. Lithium is 20 times lighter and 10 times less expensive than ultra capacitors. As good and caps are they have a way to go before they are at lithium levels.
Good luck and get the basics right before you go too far. Don't learn the hard way. Look at the past mistakes , EV 1 2 seater lead acid and learn from the best ACPropulsion with the light low cost scions made into world class lithium EVs.
Posted by: jim stack
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14-Jun-2007
56667
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The Tesla Roadster is only a conversion if no electric car may share any components with any gasoline car. In that sense no car is unique. They all dip into a global parts bin.
Posted by: Bob W
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21-Mar-2008
60872
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It is exciting that we are seeing basically a shift in automotive anything. Kind of old school industrial revolution stuff! I wish them luck. The Tesla gang I heard invested over $100 million to date. Ouch! It shows it pays to get the right people with the right smarts on board early to keep costs down and get the car mostly right the first time. I just hope big oil doesn't send in hired guns to take the little guys out.
Posted by: Dave Greene
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04-Apr-2008
61046
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Jack-- Willie C called me about you recent interview on your latest venture --
Sounds tremendous --
Let me know if you are seeking/looking for other investors
Steve
Posted by: Steve Marks
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