There are some things money cannot buy. Love, health… and a comfortable way to avoid traffic in congested cities. Bicycles, motorcycles, and helicopters are great for avoiding traffic, but they all have their shortcomings. A discerning executive who values comfort also wants a way to commute in busy metropolitan areas.
The Luxury Urban Vehicle (LUV) is a new, slim electric car that is establishing a new automotive segment. It is the first consumer product by Leia Gabriel, the automotive arm of MineBest, a tech firm that develops blockchain solutions around the globe.
A private jet for the road
The car is for people who appreciate bespoke elegance, yet still see that all the ultra-luxury vehicles on the market today mean hours spent in traffic. The Leia Gabriel LUV offers a solution to that problem.
This electric vehicle is able to use the high-occupancy vehicle lanes (also called bus lanes) in many cities. And due to its small size, it can also fit in many unconventional parking spaces.
The car is 86 cm wide and 340 cm long (34 in x 134 in), and includes some high-tech handling capabilities, making it safer at high speeds and highly maneuverable. These two factors alone save precious minutes while commuting to work or rushing to important meetings.
There are other electric runabouts on the market. However, no other manufacturer equips its cars with this level of comfort and attention to detail. The LUV includes a hand-stitched leather interior, carbon fiber elements and fully ergonomic controls, meaning drivers never need to take their eyes off the road.
City and country
The LUV carries two people in absolute comfort. Placing the seats in a tandem formation reduces the width of the car, and enables a more aerodynamic shape, reducing drag and increasing efficiency. The LUV will have a top speed of over 160 km/h (100 mph) and a range of 160 km (100 miles) on a single charge. This makes it perfect for weekend getaways outside town, and city commutes.
With its adaptable luggage compartment, two people can travel while carrying the essentials. Meanwhile, when the back seat is vacant, the luggage space expands to accommodate more items. The latest-generation Li-ion battery-pack on board meets all the current industry standards, meaning it charges quickly, allowing for an even greater range.
The back seat includes all standard industry safety fittings. Parents can use child seats when traveling with their children, knowing that they are cocooned in a safe monocoque chassis, which meets all federal and international standards.
A vision in motion
The LUV is the brainchild of Eyal Avramovich, a self-made businessman and innovator. He’s been developing the concept of a two-seat electric city vehicle for the best part of a decade. Founder and CEO of MineBest, he feels the time is right to turn his dream into reality.
He was dissatisfied with the options for small vehicles for high-level executives to successfully navigate the urban jungle. And on the other end of the scale, full-size luxury vehicles (as well as, for example, supercars) still have to deal with the incessant traffic in cities.
“I was looking for a solution, but couldn’t find anything I liked. Small cars were a bit plain, while the larger comfortable, premium models weren’t nimble enough to zip through traffic.”
The growth and success of his company, and the increased availability of the basic components needed to produce an electric vehicle, enable him to finally realize his project.
“Just a few years ago, batteries and engines were not small and light enough to contemplate this kind of footprint,” he says. Avramovich hopes a final version can be ready by the end of 2021.
“We have some of the best minds in the business currently working hard on the prototype. It’s now no longer a question of ‘if’, but ‘when’.
