The Scorpion

[MasterDon]

Source-http://www.geekologie.com/2008/11/the_scor...g_450horsep.php

http://www.ronnmotors.com/cms/

The Scorpion gets its sting from a hydrogen delivery system the company calls H2GO. While cars like the Honda FCX Clarity and Chevrolet Equinox use hydrogen fuel cells to drive electric motors, the Scorpion uses electrolysis to convert water into gaseous hydrogen. The hydrogen is mixed with 91-octane gasoline to improve the fuel economy and reduce the emissions of the car's 3.5-liter internal combustion engine.

Ronn Motors is confident that the sexy Scorpion will top 200 mph. The chrome-moly chassis and carbon-fiber body surrounds a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 in a car that weighs just 2,200 pounds. The engine was sourced from Acura -- it's the same mill found in the TL Type S, albeit turbocharged -- and mated to a six-speed gearbox. The car will set you back $150,000, and if 450 ponies isn't enough, another $100 grand will get you a tweaked version with another 150 horsepower.

Edited November 7, 2008 by HelRazor

[Devinda_Z]

that almost seems too good to be true...

brilliant concept though

hmmm economical supercar - I'll stick with the more conservative Audi R8 V12 TDi

or wait till the Lightening GT electric makes production...

[MasterDon]

that almost seems too good to be true...

brilliant concept though

hmmm economical supercar - I'll stick with the more conservative Audi R8 V12 TDi

or wait till the Lightening GT electric makes production...

yep almost didn't believe myself...this hydro assist thing in paper sounds pretty do-able...then again it might be a hoax

here's a video of them supposedly testing it.....

[Devinda_Z]

or wait till the Lightening GT electric makes production...

it lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MasterDon]

looks ok...reminds me of the new marcos

the electric sports car craze seems to be catching on ne?...interesting to see if this catches on or just ends up being a passing "phase"

[MasterDon]

the electric sports car craze seems to be catching on ne?...interesting to see if this catches on or just ends up being a passing "phase"

another contender......

Shelby SuperCars Ultimate Aero EV

After making the fastest production car in the world, the SSC Ultimate Aero TT, Shelby SuperCars is now planning to make the world's fastest electric car. The Ultimate Aero EV will be based on the company's current Aero, but with the 1183 HP V8 replaced by an electric powertrain. The electric driveline would consist of either a 500 HP electric motor, or a 1000 HP setup using a pair of motors, possibly driving all four wheels. So where are they gonna get the juice for that sort of power?

SSC claims they're working on a revolutionary power source that allows for up to several years between charging. We're assuming that they mean several years of actual use, and not just sitting around. Because, you know, we can put some fuel stabilizer in our car, park it, and not have to fill up for a while too. So, is this vaporware or soon-to-be-reality?

[Devinda_Z]

Dodge Circuit

Europa-like electric sports car takes on Tesla Roadster Sport

By David Kinchella

16th January 2009

Loud, fast, thirsty and full of harmful emissions; words usually used to describe the cars from Dodge. However, petrolheads may be surprised by the arrival of the Dodge Circuit EV – an all-electric, high performance sports coupe.

Strikingly similar in exterior design to the Lotus Europa, the Dodge Circuit EV looks sleek but extrovert in the colour ‘Tangoreen’. Using sculpted bodylines, wind flows effortlessly over the rounded snout, along the low, long bonnet and cleanly over the raked cockpit, boosting the aerodynamics to boost performance.

The body sides feature a deep scallop, providing visual depth that adds a degree of aggression. In fact, the whole car is intended to develop on the Europa and have ‘bold Dodge styling’ according to Ralph Gilles, Chrysler’s design vice president.

Dodge’s all electric motor will whisk you from 0-60mph in under 5sec, have the quarter mile covered in under 13sec and onto its 120mph top speed. These figures are very respectable indeed, especially considering the environment will be unharmed as the Circuit EV uses zero amounts of fuel and consequently produces zero emissions. In the current quest for sports cars that are attractive to the consumer and ‘green’ the Dodge is looking very strong.

The Dodge Circuit EV uses a 268bhp electric motor to drive the wheels, an advanced lithium-ion battery system to power the electric-drive motor and has a driving range of 150-200 miles between charges.

As an alternative, Tesla offers the Roadster sport. It seems the Lotus connection continues, as Tesla uses Lotus parts in the production of its Roadster. Priced perhaps outside the reach of many at 112,000 Euros (plus VAT) this electric vehicle shows a clean pair of heels to the Dodge with 288bhp and 0-60mph arriving in 3.7sec.

Competition between manufacturers can only be healthy and advantageous for the consumers, who are demanding zero emission, fast and attractive sports cars. Dodge and Tesla have just given us a couple, as has Fisker with its Karma and Karma S.

Source : http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/233603/dodge-circuit.html

[Devinda_Z]

Charge up

19 January 2009 - 10:00

Shock news (see what we did there?) - the Tesla Roadster is getting even faster. And more expensive.

Deciding that the standard all-electric Roadster - which develops 248bhp and hits 60mph in 3.9 seconds - just wasn't sufficiently quick to hold its head high as the poster child of the green movement, Tesla has given it a big old power boost.

Thanks to a new hand-wound stator that increases torque (nope, us neither) the Tesla Roadster Sport now develops 288bhp and hits 60mph in 3.7 seconds. That's lightning quick, that is.

The Roadster Sport also gets sticky Yokohama tyres - as seen on the Exige - reworked suspension with adjustable dampers and new forged black alloys (which don't do anything for performance but look deeply cool).

The price for all this extra fastness? About £106,000 - that's around £12,000 more than the non-Sport Roadster. Ouch.

"This car can beat nearly anything in its price class," says Tesla VP Michael van der Sande, which is sort of true, given that the Caterham R500 is considerably quicker but a mere third of the price.

Nonetheless, we can't imagine there'll be a shortage of takers for the Roadster Sport when it goes on sale this summer. Join the 1,000-long waiting list, chaps

Source : http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/tesla-p...ampaign=ongoing

[JadeyBlitzen]

SSC claims they're working on a revolutionary power source that allows for up to several years between charging

if they crack it it's going to be the next best thing since the discovery of oil. but whatever they build it'll be rubbish.

[Devinda_Z]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLqsSRG2Vbc

The BBC admits the silver Tesla Roadster driven by Jeremy Clarkson on this past weekend's episode of Top Gear didn't run out of electricity and didn't need to be pushed back to the garage.

You remember last week's episode of Top Gear where Jeremy Clarkson drove the Tesla Roadster around the Top Gear track? Remember how in that episode, a silver Tesla being tested was shown taking a dump on the track after a mere 55 miles? You also remember Tesla's Rachel Konrad claiming Top Gear was the only entity taking a dump on the track, saying "They never had to push a car off the track because of lack of charge or a fault...It’s unclear why they were pushing one into a garage in the video; I’ll refrain from speculating about their motives."? Well, now the UK Register Hardware's found out what happened. Here's what they have to say:

According to the Top Gear spokeswoman, the tested Tesla was filmed being pushed into the shed in order to show what would happen if the Roadster had run out of charge.

"Top Gear stands by the findings in this film and is content that it offers a fair representation of the Tesla's performance on the day it was tested," the BBC said in statement."

Hmm, sounds like some motoring show won't be on this year's Tesla holiday card list.

Source : http://jalopnik.com/5115617/shocking-scand...un-out-of-juice

[Devinda_Z]

Dodge Circuit

Europa-like electric sports car takes on Tesla Roadster Sport

Source : http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/233603/dodge-circuit.html

[Devinda_Z]

Jaguar C-CX concept brings Tesla-like good looks to hydrogen power

Phillip Dean, a graduate of the Coventry University specializing in transportation design, designed the C-XC as part of a job placement assignment with Jaguar. With sleek stylings like that, we hope he got the job.

On paper, the C-XC is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, with a single-piece glass upper hull that covers the length of the vehicle and improves its aerodynamic profile and keep the inside of the vehicle well lit. Likewise, the covered tires are designed to help keep it lean and mean and, though it may never be manufactured, its production notes include enviro-friendlier materials such as vegetable tan leather and recycled plastic bottles.

Part of getting a new technology accepted in the automotive world, it seems, is making it look good. So far, Dean's on the right track.

Source : http://dvice.com/archives/2009/02/phillip_...=undefined#more

[Devinda_Z]

none of the new concept cars look nearly even half as futuristic as concepts did in years gone by..

this Jag C-XC is possibly one of the few that really looks like its far out there and just so much as tickles ones imagination making you wonder what motoring in 2050 might be like!

[Devinda_Z]

and yet another sporty electric hybrid thingy...

Rinspeed iChange concept

Mad-looking electric concept to debut at Geneva motor show; 0-60mph in 4secs!

By Stephen Dobie

16th February 2009

There’s been plenty of Geneva news and unveils so far, with two weeks to go before the show begins. But so far we’ve not seen any of the crazy concepts that tend to grace the Swiss show.

All that changes with this, the Rinspeed iChange. One look at it is enough to tell you it’s something a tad different, but there’s more to it than gold paint and a Thunderbirds-esque entry procedure.

Propulsion-wise it’s an electric vehicle, with a 150kW (equivalent to 201bhp) motor combining with a low 1050kg weight and aerodynamic teardrop-shaped body to provide sports car performance – 0-62mph in a just over 4sec apparently, while top speed is 137mph. That’s a rather quick maximum for a lithium-ion powered car.

The batteries themselves can be stacked in two different configurations for short- or long-range driving while the alloys are forged and are bespoke lightweight items to reduce unsprung weight. They measure 17in front and 18in rear and come wrapped in Pirelli P Zero rubber to further enhance the performance car pretensions.

Perhaps the most unique thing about the iChange, though, is the relevance of its name. That pop up roof (which is front hinged to further smooth the aerodynamics at the front) opens to reveal a trick interior that can vary between one and three seats at the touch of a button. It means that the weight distribution only deteriorates when it has to – the optimal situation of the centrally positioned driver is enhanced by the lack of seats over the rear of the car when there are no passengers, but the car can be transformed to accommodate others when necessary.

And if you’re wondering about the name and whether it infringes the copyrights of any well-known MP3 players, fear not – the car’s key functions are all controlled via an Apple iPhone.

Source : http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/234094/r...ge-concept.html

[Devinda_Z]

[JadeyBlitzen]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=369h-SEBXd8...player_embedded

shall we build one of these?

[MasterDon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=369h-SEBXd8...player_embedded

shall we build one of these?

hmm..an eco friendly redneck???? ...now i've seen everything

but that is one seriously fast datsun he's got there...and that electric bike was sick!!!

[JadeyBlitzen]

he thinks cars pollute and by driving green cars the weather will stay sunny

[MasterDon]

Tesla unveils Model S electric saloon

Source

Tesla last night launched the Model S, a seven-seat electric hatchback capable of 60mph in 5.5 seconds, with a range of up to 300 miles and a charging time as low as 45 minutes.

When it goes into production in 2011 the Tesla Model S will cost US buyers around $50,000 (£34,600) after a federal tax credit. Without a tax break, European buyers can expect to pay closer to £50,000. Tesla plans to build 20,000 cars a year in Los Angeles if it can win £240m from US federal loan schemes designed to encourage green vehicles.

Slightly larger than a BMW 5-series estate, the Model S is the work of former Mazda designer Franz von Holzhausen. An 8000-cell lithium-ion battery pack lies flat beneath the seats. Customers will be able to choose packs with a range of 160, 230 or 300 miles. A full charge with a standard European 220V power supply will take 4 hours, but that can be cut to as little as 45 minutes with a special 480V supply. The battery can also be changed in around five minutes, meaning the Model S could be recharged in less time than it takes to fill a fuel tank at one of the ‘swap stations’ being pioneered by Project Better Place.

The compact electric drivetrain means luggage can be carried under the bonnet. In addition to the five standard seats, two children can sit in a third row of rear-facing seats, and Tesla claims that with just a driver aboard the Model S can carry a surfboard, a 50-inch flat screen TV and a mountain bike with its wheels on at once.

Top speed is limited to 130mph, and a later Sport version will cut the 60mph time to under five seconds. Total mass is 1738kgs, with around 545kgs of batteries. The Model S gets the same, seamless, single-speed transmission as the £92,000 roadster, and Brembo brakes

Leaked pictures show the car’s vast 17-inch central touch-screen display in more detail. It replaces all the switches used to control the audio and ventilation systems and can be customized and upgraded with new features. A 3G connection allows drivers to access the internet, and check the car’s state of charge remotely.

Tesla has delivered around 250 Roadsters but has had to lay off 80 of its 380 staff and close its engineering centre in Detroit after major delays and cost overruns. Much of its estimated $195m funding has come from CEO and PayPal founder Elon Musk. The 37 year-old South African says he expects to receive US Government backing later this year, and insists that the Tesla Model S will make production despite the downturn. “This car will be manufactured,” he says. “Have no doubt about that.”

[Devinda_Z]

Tesla unveils Model S electric saloon

Source

Tesla last night launched the Model S, a seven-seat electric hatchback capable of 60mph in 5.5 seconds, with a range of up to 300 miles and a charging time as low as 45 minutes.

When it goes into production in 2011 the Tesla Model S will cost US buyers around $50,000 (£34,600) after a federal tax credit. Without a tax break, European buyers can expect to pay closer to £50,000. Tesla plans to build 20,000 cars a year in Los Angeles if it can win £240m from US federal loan schemes designed to encourage green vehicles.

Slightly larger than a BMW 5-series estate, the Model S is the work of former Mazda designer Franz von Holzhausen. An 8000-cell lithium-ion battery pack lies flat beneath the seats. Customers will be able to choose packs with a range of 160, 230 or 300 miles. A full charge with a standard European 220V power supply will take 4 hours, but that can be cut to as little as 45 minutes with a special 480V supply. The battery can also be changed in around five minutes, meaning the Model S could be recharged in less time than it takes to fill a fuel tank at one of the ‘swap stations’ being pioneered by Project Better Place.

The compact electric drivetrain means luggage can be carried under the bonnet. In addition to the five standard seats, two children can sit in a third row of rear-facing seats, and Tesla claims that with just a driver aboard the Model S can carry a surfboard, a 50-inch flat screen TV and a mountain bike with its wheels on at once.

Top speed is limited to 130mph, and a later Sport version will cut the 60mph time to under five seconds. Total mass is 1738kgs, with around 545kgs of batteries. The Model S gets the same, seamless, single-speed transmission as the £92,000 roadster, and Brembo brakes

Leaked pictures show the car’s vast 17-inch central touch-screen display in more detail. It replaces all the switches used to control the audio and ventilation systems and can be customized and upgraded with new features. A 3G connection allows drivers to access the internet, and check the car’s state of charge remotely.

Tesla has delivered around 250 Roadsters but has had to lay off 80 of its 380 staff and close its engineering centre in Detroit after major delays and cost overruns. Much of its estimated $195m funding has come from CEO and PayPal founder Elon Musk. The 37 year-old South African says he expects to receive US Government backing later this year, and insists that the Tesla Model S will make production despite the downturn. “This car will be manufactured,” he says. “Have no doubt about that.”

i say that quite an agreeable looking thing - fresh but not extreme - would be a nice if they actually make mass production

but for somecodd reason it looks a smidge Korean - kinda reminds me of the new Police Hyundai Elantra's

[Devinda_Z]

Volkswagen 1 Litre Car!

At the 42nd Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Volkswagen AG in Hamburg, the most economical car in the world is presented: the 1-litre car. The prototype, which until now has been kept closely under wraps, and which many people never believed could be built, was driven under its own power from Wolfsburg to the Annual Meeting in Hamburg. Before the Annual Meeting, the current Chairman of the Board of Management, Dr. Ferdinand Piëch, drove this research vehicle to Hamburg from the company's headquarters at an average fuel consumption of 0.89 litres per 100 kilometres. This has once against impressively demonstrated Volkswagen's position at the cutting edge of modern technology.

The objective of developing a roadworthy vehicle that consumes just 1.0 litre of fuel per 100 kilometres could not be achieved through compromise. All existing technical solutions were examined, and in close cooperation with numerous suppliers, replaced by better, and principally lighter versions. The result is a vehicle that looks more like a sports car than a typical research vehicle.

The conceptual necessity for a small frontal area led to an unusually narrow and very flat body form being chosen. The body was developed in a wind tunnel, is 3.47 metres long, but just 1.25 metres wide and just over a metre in height, and is made completely of carbon fibre composites. To save weight, it is of course not painted. The carbon-fibre-reinforced outer skin is tensioned over a spaceframe that is not made of aluminium, but rather of magnesium, which is even lighter.

The 1-litre car is powered by a one-cylinder diesel engine, centrally positioned in front of the rear axle and combined with an automated direct shift gearbox. The crankcase and cylinder head of the 0.3-litre engine are of an aluminium monobloc construction. The naturally aspirated, direct-injection diesel engine employs advanced high-pressure unit injection technology to generate 6.3 kW (8.5 bhp) at 4,000 rpm. This gives the vehicle, which weights just 290 kg, an astonishingly lively temperament.

Fuel consumption is a mere 0.99 litre per 100 kilometres. With a 6.5-litre tank, this gives a range of some 650 kilometres without refuelling.

Due to the restriction of space, it was not possible to adapt an existing gearbox. For this reason, a compact, automated 6-speed gearbox is employed, which is controlled from a turn switch in the cockpit.

Running gear made of lightweight alloy, tyres that offer optimised rolling resistance and 16-inch wheels made of extremely lightweight composite material perfectly complement the economical drive system.

The interior is sportingly simple in design, yet offers enough space for two people, who can comfortably get in after folding back the turret-like gullwing door. An extremely lightweight construction has also been employed for the seats. The seat frames are made of magnesium, and firm, yet comfortable fabric covers are used instead of a classic upholstery.

Despite the lightweight construction of all components, safety has been a major element in all phases of the development of the 1-litre car. For example, the concept vehicle's safety equipment includes anti-lock brakes, ESP electronic stability program and a driver's airbag. Deformation elements at the front end and the spaceframe construction provide impact and roll-over protection comparable to that of a GT racing car.

The sports-car-like design demonstrates that Volkswagen's 1-litre car is not a spartan research vehicle, but a high-tech special vehicle. It starts with the special seating arrangement. The driver and passenger sit centrally as if in a monoposto, but in tandem. The mid-engine is installed transversely in front of the rear axle. With its complex design (double wishbones at front, DeDion suspension at rear) and combined with the low centre of gravity and low overall vehicle weight, the lightweight running gear results in very agile handling.

The project team have impressively succeeded in combining driving pleasure with a level of fuel consumption never seen before.

The 1-litre car also incorporates numerous details of a practical and convenient nature. For example, there is an easily accessible stowage compartment with a capacity of 80 litres under a separate flap in the rear; a reversing camera that helps when manoeuvring; automatic locking/unlocking of the gullwing door and a starter button in the cockpit that together allow keyless operation.

The concept of the 1-litre car - four wheels, low height, with two seats in tandem - gives an idea for a possible new family of vehicles, which could cover new requirements ranging from the ultra-economical vehicle, through the low-lost everyday touring vehicle for young people to the high-performance sports supercar.

Source : http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-vw-1-liter-car.htm

[MasterDon]

Chocolate Powered Racer

http://jalopnik.com/5223488/worldfirst-ecof3-a-chocolate+powered-sustainable-race-car

A Warwick University-based team has unveiled a Formula 3 race car built using sustainable materials. Its body is made of potatoes, the steering wheel is carrots, and the fuel is derived from chocolate. Delicious.

The racer isn't legal to race in the F3-series as chocolate-based fuels aren't on the approved list of energy sources, but that's not the point. The WorldFirst team is trying to prove green-racing doesn't have to mean boring-racing. They've used recycled materials in combination with fibers and extracts of fruits, vegetables and plants to create composites, materials and lubricants along the same vein as carbon fiber, plastics, and oil. It's based on the standard Lola chassis and despite the eco-friendliness, the car will still hit 145 MPH and corner like the real deal. An interesting application of green thinking, though we'll probably see a Max Mosely Nazi sex scandal before it ever hits F1. [WorldFirst Racing, Telegraph] - Jalopnik

[Devinda_Z]

i'd love to see more detail regarding the fuel mixture on that thing... quite interesting thought!

[MasterDon]

lotus has built an electric car!!!!! ...dont worry it's just a non-production concept...phew!

Lotus Engineering has turned its hand to city car design, and has produced this innovative electric vehicle concept, pitched at the urban driver of 2015. At just 2600mm in length and 1600mm wide, the Lotus supermini is even smaller than a Toyota iQ, but manages to match the Toyota’s 3+1 layout.

How is the Lotus city car concept different from other EVs?

The crucial aspect of the design is the aluminium spaceframe in the floor, which houses the batteries and electrical gubbins, while also providing stiffness and crash resistance. The Lotus supermini has been designed specifically for short trips in urban environments, so weight has been saved by limiting the battery pack to 100 lithium ion cells with a total capacity of 10kWh and a charge time of 3.5 hours.

The battery load is flexible, though, and an additional 100 cells can be added through the floor for increased range, or during the winter when battery performance drops off. Other innovations include solar panels on the roof to supplement battery power, magnesium-cast doors which slide open on special hinges, and the use of composite energy absorbers which turn to dust at impact for improved crumpling in a crash.

That’s not a lot of battery power! Will the Lotus supermini get me to the shops and back?

As long as you live within 15 miles of your greengrocer it will. Total range is just over 30 miles and the 37kW motor allows a top speed of around 65mph. It should be reasonably perky up to 40mph. Those aren’t big numbers but this car has been designed for purpose, and most owners are expected to have a conventional car on the driveway too for longer, faster journeys.

Does it handle like a Lotus should?

Not likely, but given the boxy dimensions, Lotus has done its best by minimising overhang at both ends and using lightweight materials including composites, aluminium and magnesium throughout the design. Head of vehicle architecture Richard Rackham insists this EV would still be a giggle to drive: ‘We wanted to make this thing a bit nippy and fun to get people into it.’

Talking of getting into the Lotus supermini, how do I get into that tiny back seat?

If you don’t call shotgun, the driver’s seat pushes right forward and underneath the steering wheel for easier access. Alternatively, the back seats can be folded down to make space for luggage. Designer Jon Statham relished the chance to shake things up. ‘The interior gave us a chance to rethink things,’ choosing composite materials with mesh panels for the seats.

Controls on the inside are very simple – a panel of buttons to the left of the steering wheel and a paddle on the right with which to choose forwards, backwards or neutral. Lotus expects that personal media devices like iPods and mobile phones will be advanced enough by 2015 to control all in-car media via a docking station.

The new baby Lotus sure looks sleek for a city car...

The Lotus concept is actually quite a bit taller than the Toyota iQ and the Smart Fortwo, but the designers have extended the lines on each side of the car to the front, creating a wraparound effect that makes it seem stouter. Two versions of the exterior styling were produced, one of which uses golf ball-style dimples to exaggerate the swathes which run diagonally across the sides and on to the front. LED lights reinforce the futuristic looks.

Are they going to build it?

Probably not. Which is a pity. Lotus was asked to produce the city car design as a study for Automotive Engineer magazine – but it could be further developed for manufacture by a third party. It took Hethel’s draftsmen just two weeks to produce the concept, 10% of the time usually spent on the first phase of development. Let’s hope they get paid overtime.