SAN FRANCISCO (Business 2.0 Magazine) - Ian Wright has a car that blows away a Ferrari 360 Spider and a Porsche Carrera GT in drag races, and whose 0-to-60 acceleration time ranks it among the fastest production autos in the world. In fact, it's second only to the French-made Bugatti Veyron, a 1,000-horsepower, 16-cylinder beast that hits 60 mph half a second faster and goes for $1.25 million.
The key difference? The Bugatti gets eight miles per gallon. Wright's car? It runs off an electric battery.
EV entrepreneur ready to burn rubber, competition
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Savonarola
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EV entrepreneur ready to burn rubber, competition
A car that could save the planet—fast
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ChristianLoeschel
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After our discussion the other day, I got curious and looked up some specs. It says > 100 miles range for urban use, I just want to know how long a battery can last at full throttle. My guess is if you let loose on that thing, youll be running on empty after 15-20 miles.
Also, him comparing himself to existing supercars with an electronically limited topspeed of 112 mph is kind of ridiculous. The car is a cool gadget, but 112 mph is rather dinky for a wannabe supercar.
Not to mention, the point of owning a supercar is, quite simply, the fun factor. Noone in their right MIND would drive a Veyron to work every day. Its the kind of car you pull out on a nice weekend day to go take a few spins around the local racetrack, only to drive down Dickson afterwards to pick up chicks (easy enough in a car like that!). No shifting is like getting a Ferrari Modena with automatic transmission - talk about taking the fun out of things!
Anywho, here are the specs:
X1 Prototype Specs
• 3-phase AC induction motor, 236hp at the motor shaft
• 182 ft lbs torque at the motor shaft, from 0 rpm to 6,000 rpm
• 13,300 rpm rev limit
• weight 1,500 lbs
• no clutch, single gear ratio 8.35:1
• Quaife limited slip differential
• Alcon front calipers, 4 piston
• Dymag Magnesium Alloy wheels
• inboard Bilstein race dampers, Eibach 2-stage springs
• steering: rack and pinion, 1.5 turns lock-lock
• Lithium Ion battery pack
Performance
• 0-60 ~ 3.0 seconds
• Standing quarter mile ~11.5 seconds
• Top speed 112mph (electronically limited)
• Range >100 miles in urban use
• Charger: onboard conductive. Input 100-250V 50 or 60 Hz. Current: user adjustable up to 80A
• Energy consumption 200 WHr/mile in urban use, equivalent to 170 mpg (33,705 WHr/gallon)
Also, him comparing himself to existing supercars with an electronically limited topspeed of 112 mph is kind of ridiculous. The car is a cool gadget, but 112 mph is rather dinky for a wannabe supercar.
Not to mention, the point of owning a supercar is, quite simply, the fun factor. Noone in their right MIND would drive a Veyron to work every day. Its the kind of car you pull out on a nice weekend day to go take a few spins around the local racetrack, only to drive down Dickson afterwards to pick up chicks (easy enough in a car like that!). No shifting is like getting a Ferrari Modena with automatic transmission - talk about taking the fun out of things!
Anywho, here are the specs:
X1 Prototype Specs
• 3-phase AC induction motor, 236hp at the motor shaft
• 182 ft lbs torque at the motor shaft, from 0 rpm to 6,000 rpm
• 13,300 rpm rev limit
• weight 1,500 lbs
• no clutch, single gear ratio 8.35:1
• Quaife limited slip differential
• Alcon front calipers, 4 piston
• Dymag Magnesium Alloy wheels
• inboard Bilstein race dampers, Eibach 2-stage springs
• steering: rack and pinion, 1.5 turns lock-lock
• Lithium Ion battery pack
Performance
• 0-60 ~ 3.0 seconds
• Standing quarter mile ~11.5 seconds
• Top speed 112mph (electronically limited)
• Range >100 miles in urban use
• Charger: onboard conductive. Input 100-250V 50 or 60 Hz. Current: user adjustable up to 80A
• Energy consumption 200 WHr/mile in urban use, equivalent to 170 mpg (33,705 WHr/gallon)
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Barbara Fitzpatrick
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It does answer the naysayers who keep protesting you can't use EVs for highways - supposedly lacking the acceleration to move into freeway traffic, etc. If fact, it seems the perfect "stud car" for picking up girls. It's true it doesn't have a gearshift to fondle, but that leaves a hand free to fondle something else (use a cellphone, whatever).
I'm not and never will be in the market for a drag racer, but the technology that makes an EV drag racer can also make a perfectly good urban vehicle for normal usage. Good for Ian Wright!
I'm not and never will be in the market for a drag racer, but the technology that makes an EV drag racer can also make a perfectly good urban vehicle for normal usage. Good for Ian Wright!
Barbara Fitzpatrick