Delta Motorsport, a British start up company trying their hand at making electric sportscars, has come up with the E-4 Coupe, an EV capable of doing 150 mph.
The E-4 has been built right at the Silverstone track since the company is based there, from the ground up with light weight and high-efficiency in mind, and therefore promises amazing numbers. Zero to 60 mph in under 5 seconds, top speed as mentioned 150 mph, and a range of 200 miles on full charge.
The car is certainly very high-tech. It features carbon composite chassis, designed by Delta and manufactured by KS Composites, and direct-drive electric motors designed in partnership with Oxford University YASA Motors with output of 120 hp each and 600 Nm of torque. The motors only weigh 23 kg, and the carbon chassis just 85 kg. The batteries are mounted under the floor to bring the center of gravity down, so it should also handle well.
There’s only one negative we would say about this car, it’s very ugly! But then again it is just an R&D thing for now. Five vehicles have been produced for the Technology Strategy Board Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator Program, the vehicles are part of the EEMS Accelerate consortium which aims to showcase high performance electric vehicles with cutting edge British design and engineering.
“We became involved with the design of hybrid and electric vehicles because they share many of the engineering challenges associated with motor sport – light weight parts, aerodynamic efficiency and innovative packaging solutions. We’ve had to re-think road cars from the beginning, looking at low cost composite structures, system efficiencies and novel occupant packaging.”
The Delta E-4 Coupe will be taking part in the RAC Future Car Challenge on Saturday 5th November 2011, one day before the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, the world’s longest-running motoring event. The event showcases the very latest low energy vehicles in a 60-mile trial from Brighton to London, with the challenge of using the least amount energy over the route.
