http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?page...e&storyid=1170
In the audio presentation available from the above page, Alec Brooks (lead Aerovironment engineer on the EV1's development) says:
"We wanted to ... make a vehicle that people would want to drive, not something that you would have to apologize for. It was going to be a 2 seat, with fast acceleration, good handling... The inspiration for the EV1 was the Honda CRX Si."
__________________