Comments on: Video: Electric car races Ferrari, Porsche — and wins (updated!)

By: norby

norby — Fri, 12 May 2006 20:44:03 +0000

Count me among the unimpressed.
The original Atom is faster.
They are essentially racing 1/2 a car against some very finely finished supercars.
Try driving that thing on a hot or cold day. Or a rainy day. Or while in traffic breathing exhaust fumes.
And it only BARELY beat them at the end of the 1/4 mile.
A good experiment? Yes.
Match the hype? NOPE.

By: dan

dan — Mon, 08 May 2006 17:29:50 +0000

careful browsers will find that ACP has given up the tzero to supply electric components instead of trying to break into retail sales with an entire car. I think this is a great way to promote what’s available, the ACP AC-150 motor and controller package, and to show it’s flexibility of application. It takes up very little space, and 4.5hrs of charging time isn’t really anything. I am curious as to why their range is so limited compared to the ACP tzero though, as this ought to benefit as well.

By: JohnnyBlazE

JohnnyBlazE — Sun, 07 May 2006 22:44:45 +0000

Don’t forget Commuter Car’s Tango – that was impressive a year ago… now this has over 3 times the range and is a second quicker to 60… times are achanging!

Yes, 16 misses the point. I love petrol, but I love advances in technology too…

Silent electric cars are a danger though!

By: DC

DC — Sun, 07 May 2006 00:05:05 +0000

Well, since I missed the point… care to explain it to me?

Is it that a very expensive electric car that only works for 1.5 hours before needing a 4.5 hour recharge has a very slight advantage to a much less expensive Caterham 7?

Or that perhaps the very expensive super-exotics which lost to the electric car are less capable in the 0-60 mph tests than a cheaper Caterham 7?

Either way, was I supposed to be impressed?

Or rather… why are YOU?

By: Random Jerk

Random Jerk — Sat, 06 May 2006 19:40:36 +0000

Wow, DC #16 misses the point entirely. His logic and reasoning so very, very… unimpressive.

By: DC

DC — Sat, 06 May 2006 17:27:22 +0000

Golly, so this experiment electric car… which costs an undisclosed amount of money barely beats a Caterham 7!

(Caterham 7: 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds)

And the Caterham sells for between $60-65,000… and has an unlimited range, save for the few minutes it takes to refill the gas tank.

Wow… so very, very… unimpressive.

By: TW

TW — Sat, 06 May 2006 14:07:20 +0000

I find the “put downs” on this vehicle amusing. Some poeple have no sence of history. Cars at the turn of the century were unreliable, experimental and in some cases a “joke”, but look at where are today. You have to start somewhere to advance technology. This vehicle is an experiment, but valid non the less.

By: 2dayBlog - Technology Journal, New Gadget everyday!

2dayBlog - Technology Journal, New Gadget everyday! — Sat, 06 May 2006 05:00:55 +0000

Wrightspeed X1 Beats Ferrari and Porsche

This car is faster than a Mercedes SLR, Corvette Z06, or Ferrari Enzo. It’s also a heck of a lot faster than a Ferrari 360 Modena or Porsche Carerra GT. It can hit 60 mph in just 3 seconds which is faster than just anything out there. It’s an…

By: Mitch

Mitch — Fri, 05 May 2006 23:57:18 +0000

I believe the recharge time for the vehicle is 4.5 hours. Yikes.

By: kevin

kevin — Fri, 05 May 2006 23:10:25 +0000

they should’ve raced the regular atom against the electric one, if i remember right, the atom running with a civic engine does 0-60 in like 2.5 seconds

By: Carboy

Carboy — Fri, 05 May 2006 22:34:45 +0000

Boring

By: Ahk-Med

Ahk-Med — Fri, 05 May 2006 21:45:10 +0000

“It’s fast becuase its lite.” Wow, what a amazing observation.

This vehicle is a highly specialized prototype. If the electric drive train can power a small roadster like this with fantastic acceleration of 0-60 in three seconds, I would imagine that it could certainly power a more conventional vehicle and still provide performace beyond basic transportation.

I certainly hope that Wrightspeed gets more intrest and funding for his work. Sooner or later the basic combustion engine powertrain is going to be replaced. Not becuase were out of oil or its bad for the enviorment, but because something obviously better WILL replace it. The sooner that happens, the better – for everyone.

Finally because LLN likes to keep their readers in the dark:

http://money.cnn.com/2006/05/04/technology/business2_wrightspeed/

By: P Phunk

P Phunk — Fri, 05 May 2006 21:43:36 +0000

Aside from sparse weight, electric motors have extreme amounts of torque from 0 RPM.

By: Phil McCrackin

Phil McCrackin — Fri, 05 May 2006 21:10:55 +0000

“It’s so fast becouse it hasn’t got any weight at all.”

Not to mention it lacks doors, roof, intterior room, ventilation system beyond the outside air, windshield or any other glass, safety equipment, etc.

By: g unit

g unit — Fri, 05 May 2006 21:02:43 +0000

now this is one elec car i wouldnt mind to own

By: Sean

Sean — Fri, 05 May 2006 20:54:14 +0000

The Ariel Atom isnt as practical in daily use as a regular supercar for obvious reasons, but not only that people forget that supercars are about speeds excessive over 200mph and superior handling. While the Ariel Atom can handle the latter amazingly, throwing an electric drivetrain would probably spoil the handling,and not only that it cant touch a Ferrari at the top end.

By: Latvietis

Latvietis — Fri, 05 May 2006 20:53:15 +0000

It’s so fast becouse it hasn’t got any weight at all.

By: junkie

junkie — Fri, 05 May 2006 20:38:45 +0000

This is like comparing a motorcycle to a car, then proclaiming that the motorcycle wins because it’s faster and gets better MPG.

Put the electric drivetrain into an otherwise identical vehicle, then make the comparison.

BTW – it IS an Ariel Atom, with an electric drivetrain.

By: gsh

gsh — Fri, 05 May 2006 20:36:47 +0000

um, i want one?

By: Shut Up

Shut Up — Fri, 05 May 2006 20:11:27 +0000

Looks just like Ariel Atom