A car that could save the planet—fast

[DarkFury]

An electric car that does 0 - 60 faster than most supercars out there...

http://money.cnn.com/2006/05/04/technology/business2_wrightspeed/index.htm?cnn=yes



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.


Pretty impressive... now time to work on that "battery technology" :D

[kimchicowboy]

i want to check out the video, but it's archived by CNN. :(

[InfiniteNothing]

Of course you have to change the car after every 1/4 mile sprint.

[CornMonkey]

well, initial specs aren't too appealing, even w/ the planned consumer version. hopefully, the technology will develop to be a truely viable alternative to gas and even hybrid vehicles.

[attgig]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6678045894604568001&q=x1

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1785525266903004731&q=x1

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=328058118017493854&q=x1

[Houdini]

I know it's not a hybrid, but I like the idea that companies are using hybrids now to not only save gas, but to increase horsepower for those of us who, well, like spirited driving. I know it seems like it defeats the purpose, but it's still better than gobbling a cup of gas every time you punch it.

[InfiniteNothing]

Here's the prob with all electric and hybrid performance: it's limited to the battery. If you're doing spirited driving for long, you will run out of battery and you'll be back to gas only (worse off than you were to start because of battery weight).

The more I think about the article the more it stinks. It's very pick about the details. Light weight will do good for 0-60 acceleration, look at the Elise, but for high speeds you need raw horsepower. And this is why the Corvette will beat the Elise on track. Now throw in the fact that electric batteries never last long... sure maybe 100 miles at 50 mph but it's not going to do great at 100 mph. I maintain that there's no replacement for displacement.

[bachviet]

I would hate to find a place to charge the battery on the way to LV from SoCal. I probably have to stop at least twice.

[InfiniteNothing]

Really, you'd learn to plan things out and map where you're going to change up and nap. Then again this is more of a commuter car. You probably would want to take your wife's car to vegas. Just remember to destroy all evidence.

[Houdini]

Here's the prob with all electric and hybrid performance: it's limited to the battery. If you're doing spirited driving for long, you will run out of battery and you'll be back to gas only (worse off than you were to start because of battery weight).

The more I think about the article the more it stinks. It's very pick about the details. Light weight will do good for 0-60 acceleration, look at the Elise, but for high speeds you need raw horsepower. And this is why the Corvette will beat the Elise on track. Now throw in the fact that electric batteries never last long... sure maybe 100 miles at 50 mph but it's not going to do great at 100 mph. I maintain that there's no replacement for displacement.

:stupid:

The Elise is cool b/c it is so light, but it has a <200 hp motor if I remember. The new Vette Rox. Then again, I'm waiting to get my M5 in a year or two. Will beat the Vette and do it in utmost comfort.

Still, I'd like to buy an old Lambo Countach someday. It's not fast by today's standards, but their prices are relatively low, and it was the car I wanted as a kid. :) Can't beat those scissor doors...

[InfiniteNothing]

Okay but we won't let you cry about poor doctors anymore ;) I don't think it's fair to compare two cars that have a factor of 2 price difference. The new Z06 'vette would be a better match at 500hp but there's still a big price gap (not to mention the vette drinks 87)

[DarkFury]

Still, I'd like to buy an old Lambo Countach someday. It's not fast by today's standards, but their prices are relatively low, and it was the car I wanted as a kid. :) Can't beat those scissor doors...

Heh... I've always wondered what someone would call "Lambo doors" that were actually on a Lamborghini. :heh:

[Houdini]

Okay but we won't let you cry about poor doctors anymore ;) I don't think it's fair to compare two cars that have a factor of 2 price difference. The new Z06 'vette would be a better match at 500hp but there's still a big price gap (not to mention the vette drinks 87)

Hah! Seriously, my 325 is a financial albatross, as I'm a poor resident. And IT only drinks primo. Yeah, you can put the cheaper stuff in it, but the engine's knock sensors will go nuts and reduce your timing, etc., giving you crappy mileage. So the extra $3 you spend/tank is worth it. But I'm a car guy. If I could afford payments on an M5, I'd go for it. Uberfast, and supposedly extremely sensitive/fun.

And the Lambo would be far in the future. Yeah, they used to be ~180k, but most now seem to be around 70k or so and keep dropping, as there is really no demand. Still, i loved that car as a kid, and while it's not the fastest on the block anymore, it's still cool. Reminds me of that scene in American Beauty: "And now I have it. I rule!"

The Z06 isn't exactly cheap either, and it's a 2 person car. The M5 is much bigger, more luxurious, can fit more people, and is built for cruising, not just blasting through racetracks, though you can do that too. ;)


Heh... I've always wondered what someone would call "Lambo doors" that were actually on a Lamborghini. :heh:

Hah!

I saw 3 pimped out Mustangs the other day outside of a local fast food joint. All super-waxed black with catchy license plates. One had scissor doors. It looked kind of cool while the doors were open, but to open them, you had to open the door normally first and THEN lift it up to "Lambo position." Kinda defeats the purpose, IMO.