Ariel Hipercar EV

[ProjectWHaT]

Ariel Hipercar revealed as 1,180-hp EV with gas turbine range extender

The maker of the Atom track car is working on an extended-range electric supercar.

www.motorauthority.com

Hipercar, which stands for “High Performance Carbon Reduction,” is a fitting code name as the car should deliver hypercar-like performance.

There will be multiple variants of the Hipercar, with the range-topper to feature a four-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain consisting of two electric motors at each axle. Each motor drives a wheel via a single-speed transmission, and combined output of the system is 1,180 hp and 1,342 lb-ft of torque—impressive when you consider the targeted weight is 3,430 lb. A tamer rear-wheel-drive option with two electric motors at the rear axle and half the output will also be offered.

Powering the electric motors is a lithium-ion battery with a usable 56 kwh of capacity. The range on battery power alone is estimated at 150 miles but to boost this Ariel will offer the option of a gas-turbine range extender, which can use fuel to recharge or maintain battery charge—or augment it.

What does all of this translate to? According to Ariel, 0-60 mph acceleration in about two seconds, 0-100 mph in about 4.4 seconds, and a top speed of 155 mph. Figures claimed by Ariel are for the more powerful four-motor version.

As for the chassis, it consists of a bonded-aluminum monocoque structure with removable aluminum front and rear subframes. The Hipercar's suspension features double wishbones at all four corners with dampers supplied by Bilstein. Forged or carbon-fiber composite wheels will be available, wrapped in beefy 265/35-size tires at the front and 325/30 at the rear. Ariel is also developing a new power steering system to provide superior feedback to the driver.

Ariel targets a start of production in 2024. Pricing information will be announced closer to that date.

 

[Exorcet]

What is the drag coefficient on that? I suppose it would be fun to drive but at over 3000 lbs, it's just like any other car in comparison to the Atom. I think performance cars are still the realm of ICE, they should ditch ridiculous HP numbers and just focus on extreme weight reduction. Win/win for driver and the environment.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

I'm good, Ariel, thanks anyways.

 

[Fezzik]

Ariel stole Bruce Wayne's car

 

[TheCracker]

Not the best proportioned car i've seen, but it's narrow/small footprint will work well on narrower european roads.

Not sure that it really needs the LMP-style engine cover central fin. If you are sliding sideways on the road you've got better things to worry about other than catching air and flipping over. You are going to find a tree, a lamp post or an HGV before flipping is an issue.

 

[Rods]

Quite the looker, eh?

 

[TexRex]

 

[Famine]

The KTM X-Bow GTX that taste forgot.

I'm also struggling to see how they came up with "let's have an overexposed shot in a scrapyard" as a press shot...

 

[Danoff]

The KTM X-Bow GTX that taste forgot.

I'm also struggling to see how they came up with "let's have an overexposed shot in a scrapyard" as a press shot...

View attachment 1189056

I can't come up with just the perfect comparison image quickly, but here's the idea I think they were going for:

Should have gone for a night shot with some orange lighting.

 

[ProjectWHaT]