Wrightspeed X1 electric car beats Ferrari 360 Spider and a Porsche Carrera GT and costs half as much.
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That's a rather stupid comparison, since the Wrightspeed is a tiny little go-kart while the other two are full-fledged cars, comfortable, safe, with many amenities, etc. A more fair comparison would be the X1 vs an Ariel Atom. Or alternatively, comparing the Tesla to the Ferrari or Porsche.
The X1 Prototype
The X1 prototype is a concept car, and a test platform. It is not a production car, and never will be. It’s a proof-of-concept vehicle that will lead to a production car in the future.
To build it as a prototype, we looked for the best of the best, in today’s technology. We chose the AC Propulsion (www.acpropulsion.com) 3-phase AC induction motor and inverter – the highest power/weight ratio system available; brilliantly engineered, and with about a decade of durability testing to date. For the chassis, we turned to Ariel, in Somerset. (www.arielmotor.co.uk). Simon Saunders, the designer of the Atom and the founder and CEO of Ariel, has created in our view one of the world’s most beautiful cars, as well as the quickest, lightest chassis on the road. To drive it is a revelation. Simon’s background is in automotive design, notably for Aston Martin and Porsche. The Atom chassis was substantially modified for the electric drivetrain, but retains the original styling.
The X1 prototype is just the beginning. It meets its design specs of 0-60 in 3 seconds, 170 mpg equivalent; and at 1536 lbs, is only 36 lbs over the design target of 1500. It really does raise the performance driving experience to a new level, even for racing drivers. No clutch, no shifting, precise and immediate control of torque in drive and braking, perfect traction control…first gear takes you to 112mph…
In recent track testing, on street tires, it achieved the following performance:
0-30 mph: 1.35 sec
0-60 mph: 3.07 sec in 117 ft
0-100 mph: 6.87 sec
0-100-0 mph 11.2 sec
Lateral g: 1.3
Braking g: 1.2
The X1 production car will be better… much better.
G III
"Justifiably Proud"
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G III
"Justifiably Proud"
Though some green enthusiasts may express dismay at expensive exotic vehicles being actually produced instead of a sub-$15,000 lithium commuter EV, I am excited about seeing the early-adopters getting green options and these types of things becoming trendy with those "evil rich people".
I recall my sister buying a VCR when they were over $800 (in 1980's money) with no remote, no visual scan to pass up commercials, and it was a "dust-gathering" top-loader. Thank God for early adopters and mass-production!
If the accelerator pedal had a "J" shaped toe-clip, then lifting your toe could actuate re-gen (more for keeping the brakes cooler than extending the battery in THIS application). OR, regen could be actuated by the first 1/2" of brake pedal, whichever drivers found easier to use (or both!, its just a cheap switch)
Also, there is a tremendous amount of possibility in the developement of controllers, especially in the field of paralleling Capacitors with the battery. Again, not for extending the battery (in a performance car) but for absorbing regen and providing for the initial burst of accelleration out of a curve.
The future "sub-$15,000 Lithium commuter EV" will benefit from this research when it DOES extend its battery range by using regen capacitors with a sophisticated and robust controller. Again...Thank God for early adopters and mass-production!