Loremo Super-Efficient Convertible in the Works?

A little less than two years ago, a small but green-minded company called Loremo built a prototype car called the LS. We dubbed it the world’s greatest fuel miser for its ability to travel 800 miles on a single tank of fuel, which equates to a fuel economy rating of 156 mpg. This of course was done through a tiny two-cylinder diesel engine and a body that’s as slippery as they come. Loremo designed and engineered the LS for the Automotive X-Prize, a contest between automakers to create a car capable of 100 mpg, and although the contest has still yet to run, things are looking very good for the Germans.

Complementing the coupe, there looks to be an upcoming convertible version of the LS on the way, a more enjoyable way of achieving excellent fuel economy. The issued sketch shows more or less the same vehicle from the waistline down, but the removal of the roof means modifying the car’s internals significantly. The original LS Coupe has a two-door design that consists of the entire front end of the car that acts as the door. Hinged at the front, the one-piece hood and fenders tilt forward along with the windscreen and A-pillars. The convertible will most likely share the same front-door layout, but getting in and out is less likely to be an acrobatic feat, especially if the roof is down.

Of course, with the roof down the LS’ eye-popping “green” performance will be reduced. The drag coefficient of the LS convertible is bound to be greater than the 0.20 cd rating of the LS coupe, and it most certainly won’t be able to obtain hardtop’s 122 mph top speed. But still, a little sun, fresh air and a high-probability of less than 74 mpg sounds like the perfect car for the environmentally conscious and extra-frugal alike. It sounds like a great way of saving the environment.


The news of a new Loremo ties into a previous rumor that the brand is getting ready to build a car that’s purely powered by electricity, with a goal of introducing it by 2010. While the standard LS offers exemplary fuel economy, at the end of the day it still requires fossil fuel to power it, something that the brand might want to remove from the equation. Perhaps Loremo will combine the two together; electricity and convertible.

Finally, the Loremo LS project is going to become a reality, with the company’s founders seriously pushing the car for production. As for the convertible version, should Loremo choose to build it, it’s expected to make its debut at the Geneva motor show this upcoming spring.