EIGHT-WHEEL ELECTRIC VEHICLE KAZ SEEN IN KAWASAKI, SOUTH OF TOKYO, 2001-06-27 (photo)

The eight-wheel drive electric vehicle KAZ, developed by a group led by Hiroshi Shimizu, professor of the Faculty of Environmental Information at Keio University, is seen on the campus of the Faculty of Environmental Information, Keio University in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo June 27, 2001. The 6.7-metre (22-feet) long and 2.98-tonne vehicle, was unveiled in Japan for the first time on Tuesday after its debut at the 7th International Motor show in Geneva earlier this year. The developers say the car recorded a maximum speed of 311-km/hour in April at a test course in Italy. The eight-passenger, 580 horsepower limo will run for 300 km on a one hour charge of a lithium-ion battery recharge. KM/PB