What are we looking at?
A sort of beach-buggy/convertible/off-roader crossover thing from Venturi, a Monegasque firm that now makes electric vehicles (EVs), but which was once a purveyor of little-known supercars like the Atlantique.
What's the best thing about it?
Called the America, it is a full EV - not a hybrid - and it makes 407hp and 480Nm, which is all sent to the rear wheels. Venturi says it can do 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds, 0-200km/h in just 14 seconds and run on to 220km/h, without emitting a single iota of CO2. It can also go 250 kilometres on a charge, which takes 3.5 hours using the 22kW on-board charger. The interior has a smattering of Renault switchgear and the America, which features a carbon-Kevlar and aluminium honeycomb chassis, is put together at Venturi's Monaco HQ.
Show stopper or floor filler?
Floor filler, sadly. While it is certainly unusual and also commendable, given its zero-emissions capability and vibrant exterior, it's an uber-niche oddity that's destined to remain rare; word is that only 25 examples will be produced, at a rough cost of €370,000. Gulp.