Wrightspeed X1
Encyclopedia
The Wrightspeed X1 is a one-off Ariel Atom
heavily modified to use an all-electric powertrain
. The Atom was chosen for its light weight and efficient design. The electric motor and inverter are sourced from AC Propulsion
, makers of the TZero
concept car, while the batteries are low weight, high energy density lithium ion
provided from A123 Systems. As with the Atom the transmission is a Honda
unit, but stripped of its shifting mechanism and other parts to provide only the second gear speed, allowed by the wide speed and torque range available from the electric motor.
Built by San Francisco
-based New Zealand
engineer Ian Wright, the X1 created a stir when it bested several sports cars in a drag race
, including a Carrera GT
(even with a rolling start, an advantage for the gas burning vehicles), all while being filmed by local news station KRON 4
. Despite the impressive performance, the vehicle is intended only as a proof of concept. Future production is planned; however, according to the website, "... the production car will be quite different, since it will meet the safety standards, which the prototype does not. It will, however, be at least as quick as the prototype.". Mr. Wright was an early employee of electric-car company Tesla Motors
, but soon left to pursue his own ideas.
Ariel Atom
The Ariel Atom is a high performance sports car made by the Ariel Motor Company based in Somerset, England and under licence in North America by TMI Autotech, Inc. at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia....
heavily modified to use an all-electric powertrain
Powertrain
In a motor vehicle, the term powertrain or powerplant refers to the group of components that generate power and deliver it to the road surface, water, or air. This includes the engine, transmission, drive shafts, differentials, and the final drive...
. The Atom was chosen for its light weight and efficient design. The electric motor and inverter are sourced from AC Propulsion
AC Propulsion
AC Propulsion is a San Dimas, California, USA company founded in 1992 by Alan Cocconi that specialises in alternating current-based drivetrain systems for electric vehicles. Tom Gage is currently the company's CEO. The company produces goods such as electric vehicle drive systems and their top of...
, makers of the TZero
AC Propulsion tzero
The tzero is a hand-made electric sports car that was produced in limited numbers by the U.S. company AC Propulsion. The tzero is based on the Piontek Sportech kit car, which consists of a fiberglass body built over a reinforced steel space frame with double wishbone independent suspension and rack...
concept car, while the batteries are low weight, high energy density lithium ion
Lithium ion battery
A lithium-ion battery is a family of rechargeable battery types in which lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during discharge, and back when charging. Chemistry, performance, cost, and safety characteristics vary across LIB types...
provided from A123 Systems. As with the Atom the transmission is a Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
unit, but stripped of its shifting mechanism and other parts to provide only the second gear speed, allowed by the wide speed and torque range available from the electric motor.
Built by San Francisco
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
-based New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
engineer Ian Wright, the X1 created a stir when it bested several sports cars in a drag race
Drag racing
Drag racing is a competition in which specially prepared automobiles or motorcycles compete two at a time to be the first to cross a set finish line, from a standing start, in a straight line, over a measured distance, most commonly a ¼-mile straight track....
, including a Carrera GT
Porsche Carrera GT
The Porsche Carrera GT is a mid-engined sports car that was manufactured by Porsche in Leipzig, Germany.- History :The development of the Carrera GT can be traced back to the 911 GT1 and LMP1-98 racing cars. Due in part to the FIA and ACO rule changes in 1998, both designs had ended. Porsche at...
(even with a rolling start, an advantage for the gas burning vehicles), all while being filmed by local news station KRON 4
KRON-TV
KRON-TV, virtual channel 4 , is a television station in San Francisco, California, serving as the Bay Area affiliate of the MyNetworkTV programming service; the station is owned by Young Broadcasting...
. Despite the impressive performance, the vehicle is intended only as a proof of concept. Future production is planned; however, according to the website, "... the production car will be quite different, since it will meet the safety standards, which the prototype does not. It will, however, be at least as quick as the prototype.". Mr. Wright was an early employee of electric-car company Tesla Motors
Tesla Motors
Tesla Motors, Inc. is a Silicon Valley-based company that designs, manufactures and sells electric cars and electric vehicle powertrain components. It was the only automaker building and selling a zero-emission sports car, the Tesla Roadster, in serial production...
, but soon left to pursue his own ideas.
Performance
- 0–96.56 km/h (0-60 mph) 2.9 seconds
- Standing quarter mile (400 m) 11.6 seconds
- Top speed 167.37 km/h (104 mph) (electronically limited)
- Range >160.93 km (>100 miles) in urban use
- Charger: onboard conductive. Input 100-250V 50 or 60 Hz.
- Current: user adjustable up to 80A
- Energy consumption 125 WHr/km (200 WHr/mile) in urban use, equivalent to 1.4 L/100 km (170 mpg) (8920 WHr/L or 33,705 WHr/gallon)
The X1 prototype (various technical images)
Most of these images are applicable to the Ariel AtomSee also
- Ariel AtomAriel AtomThe Ariel Atom is a high performance sports car made by the Ariel Motor Company based in Somerset, England and under licence in North America by TMI Autotech, Inc. at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia....
- La Jamais ContenteLa Jamais ContenteLa Jamais Contente was the first vehicle to go over . It was an electric vehicle with a light alloy torpedo shaped bodywork and with Fulmen batteries. The high position of the driver and the exposed chassis underneath spoiled much of the aerodynamics...
- AC Propulsion tzeroAC Propulsion tzeroThe tzero is a hand-made electric sports car that was produced in limited numbers by the U.S. company AC Propulsion. The tzero is based on the Piontek Sportech kit car, which consists of a fiberglass body built over a reinforced steel space frame with double wishbone independent suspension and rack...
- Keio University Eliica
- Lightning GTLightning GTThe Lightning GT is a battery-electric sports car under development by the Lightning Car Company, in Peterborough and due for release in 2012...
- Tesla RoadsterTesla RoadsterThe Tesla Roadster is a battery electric vehicle sports car produced by the electric car firm Tesla Motors in California. The Roadster was the first highway-capable all-electric vehicle in serial production available in the United States. Since 2008 Tesla has sold 2,024 Roadsters in 30 countries...
- Think Global AS
- Venturi FétishVenturi FetishThe Venturi Fétish is the world's first two-seater electric sports car . It is produced by Venturi in Monaco, and the futuristic design of the car was done by the Parisian designers Sacha Lakic. The Fétish was first introduced in concept form at the 2002 Salon International de l'Auto...
External links
- WrightSpeed
- Drag race: Wrightspeed X1 vs. Carrera GT, vs. Ferrari 360 and vs. AC Propulsion tZero
- Video of Wrightspeed X1 electric car beating a Ferrari 360 Spider and a Porsche Carrera GT
- Video of Wrightspeed X1' test-drive in San Francisco
- Video of X1 vs. a Lamborghini and a NASCAR race car with technological review
- Video: Wrightspeed's X1 electric prototype zips around the race track and blows past a Tesla Roadster