Author: Robin Brown
Published: 23 January 2009
Shelby SuperCars - manufacturer of the world's fastest production car - is planning to introduce an electric version of the 250mph+ SSC Ultimate Aero, with a charge time of only ten minutes and 200-mile range.
Shelby says its Nanotechnology Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery pack take a mere 10 minutes for a full recharge on a 110-volt outlet, good for up to 200 miles on a single charge and allows for 'several' years between charging.
The figures are far in advance of any current-generation electric car, with even the relatively fast-charging Tesla Roadster taking 3–4 hours for a full recharge.
SSC says its All-Electric Scalable Powertrain has a scalable horsepower rating due to its light weight, compact size, quick recharge time and liquid cooling - meaning it can be adapted to power vehicles ranging in size from a small car to a bus with power ranges from 200bhp to 1200bhp.
SSC says its AESP is designed to meet the manufacturing and quality requirements of major automotive manufacturers, transportation operators and the military and will wholesale the units at $5-6K for orders between 1000–10,000 units.
If SSC's electric car makes it into production expect to see two 500bhp electric motors powering the Ultimate Aero EV, which will enter time trials later this year. The first prototype should be out and about by February 2009.
If Shelby comes up with the goods it will beg a number of questions, most obviously why the combined might and intellect of the world's automotive manufacturers has been unable to do what a small, independent American sports-car company has in a few years.
We can´t help it: We love horsepowers, in hot hatches or saloons. But we don´t want to pay too much for them. MotorTorque selects the cheapest power-beasts available for less than £25K.
The iconic smart fortwo is coming to the UK as an electric version. The smart ev will be introduced in November to specially selected corporate customers.
Aston Martin? James Bond. De Lorean? Doc Brown. Cars linked to movie characters are famous - and the Caterham 7 has its own following for the very same reason.
Day 4 of MotorTorque’s exclusive feature on the new cars being released in 2006. Today, it’s the turn of the head-turning sporty numbers....
Audi´s historic diesel-powered R10 TDI sports-prototype, which won the Le Mans 24 Hours last month, has come close to beating a Harrier GR7 'Jump Jet'
Despite the economic downturn and drastic drop in new-car sales, auctions are increasingly popular for motorists searching for their next car. | 28/01/2009
Bentley has released an image of a new biofuel-powered model, due to go on display in Geneva come March, that it hopes will pave the way for an alt-fuel future for the luxury car-maker. | 28/01/2009
Ford's new Ka city car is now on sale with prices starting from £7,945. | 28/01/2009
The Nissan 370Z will be available to order from £26,895 when online ordering commences from 2 February. First customer deliveries are due in July. | 28/01/2009
The Citroen C3 Picasso will go on sale in April from £11,495 in three trim levels with a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines. | 28/01/2009
Land Rover, now in its 61st year, might be owned by the Indian conglomerate TATA, but it remains as British as ever, built in Britain and in need of financial help from the British Government.
A man has admitted to taking thousands of pounds from motorists convicted of speeding offences by taking the rap for them.
As a tough and versatile workhorse nothing really comes close to the Land Rover Defender Double Cab or the Defender range as a whole, but the number of customers really needing vehicles of this type is diminishing.
Just when you though social networking couldn't get any more niche, the MYPL8 service allows motorists to text other drivers they want to connect with via their number plate.
The new Mazda3 hatch will go on sale in Europe in Spring 2009, promising a combination of sporty driving and dynamic design with environmental credentials and safety performance.
Around 400 people a day risk damaging their car by misfuelling, and filling up with gas is a mistake that could cost thousands. So what do you do if you´ve filled up your diesel car with unleaded petrol?
Euro Car Parts has acquired Pinco 1555 Ltd, including all 53 of LSUK's 53 branches, together with subsidiaries M I Diesel Products, Protech Automotive (UK) and Yeovil Rewind.
Fuel protests similar to those that brought the UK to a halt in 2000 are being planned by a breakaway group of disaffected hauliers, according to press reports.
Euro Car Parts has put out a statement on the closure of LSUK, stating that a closure of the business was unavoidable due to a 'lack of support'.
LSUK, thought to have been rescused by Euro Car Parts, has been unexpectedly closed by the new owners with the loss of over 600 jobs.
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