if you feel completely overwhelmed and intimidated by the technologies that goes into today's car, then perhaps it is time to look back and ask yourself: do we really need such a complex vehicle? probably no. thankfully, there are good folks out there who are more than...

V+ Volteis by Starck
(photos: Philippe Starck) V+ Volteis by Starck | about US$40,000.00 | www.starck.com

if you feel completely overwhelmed and intimidated by the technologies that goes into today’s car, then perhaps it is time to look back and ask yourself: do we really need such a complex vehicle? probably no. thankfully, there are good folks out there who are more than keen to develop something a little simpler, something like this V+ Volteis. jointly developed by renowned French design, Philippe Starck and French electric vehicle maker, Volteis, this 736 kg golf cart-like electric vehicle is void of any lavish treatments that are common in today’s automobile. in short, it has no fancy audio system, parking assist or whatsoever. it is basically a people mover and that’s what it will do. fitted with a 4kW three-phase induction motor matched to a 7.5kW battery pack, the V+ makes a top speed of just 65 km/h (40 mph) and has an average range of 60 km (37 mph). while the performance is nothing to shout about, it is still one ride that’s good enough for some guilt-free short commute for up to four person and the design is, well, minimalist to its core: it has no doors, it has wicker for dash and seats, it has a large panoramic windshield and a fabric roof. you couldn’t get any simpler then that, can you? however, under the hood, this front-wheel driven vehicle is very much a modern vehicle adopting features like four-wheel disc brakes, double wishbone front suspension and trailing arm rear suspension, and a differential gear built into its drive train. the V+ Volteis by Starck will be available in limited units at its 15 shops throughout France and subsequently worldwide, with an estimated price tag of US$40,000. hit the jump for a few more look.

Starck /Volteis via Design Boom