Photo: Ariel
Considering that Ariel started making cars in 2000, it’s incredible how much the small-sided British automaker has evolved throughout the years. After the brilliant Atom, Nomad, and Ace motorcycle, the time has come for the Crewkerne-based company to step up its business by going electric with the all-new HIPERCAR.
“The what?” That would be the name of an electric hypercar, whose project is referred as High Performance Carbon Reduction. Planned to debut in 2019 and go into production in 2020, the newcomer will promise to be one of the most extreme hypercars in the world. For starters, the range extender isn’t your average internal combustion engine, but a 35 kW micro-turbine.
The electric part, meanwhile, is represented by four electric motors and a choice of two batteries: 42 kWh and 56 kWh. To be offered in rear- and all-wheel-drive flavors, the Ariel HIPERCAR prides itself on tremendous performance in its most extreme configuration. And the numbers are 1,180 bhp and 1,800 Nm. In the case of the RWD derivative, make that 590 bhp.
The immense output and tremendous torque go together with an ultra-lightweight aluminum chassis augmented by rollover protection. The production name for the HIPERCAR hasn’t been decided, and speaking which, the final design of the hypercar will come in the form of a full-bodied vehicle.
On the subject of wheel selection, customers can choose between forged or carbon composite units designed to fit 265/30 R20 and 325/30 R21 tires. Zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) ? Only 2.4 seconds. Top speed? That would be 257 km/h or 160 mph, thank you! These being said, what’s the project’s next step? Well, prepare for a demonstration of two prototypes – 2WD and 4WD – at the Low Carbon Vehicle Show at Millbrook on September 6, 2017.
“It will be an expensive car because of the technology involved but when compared to £1m+ supercars, which it will outperform, it’s going to represent excellent value for money,” declared head honcho Simon Saunders.
The electric part, meanwhile, is represented by four electric motors and a choice of two batteries: 42 kWh and 56 kWh. To be offered in rear- and all-wheel-drive flavors, the Ariel HIPERCAR prides itself on tremendous performance in its most extreme configuration. And the numbers are 1,180 bhp and 1,800 Nm. In the case of the RWD derivative, make that 590 bhp.
The immense output and tremendous torque go together with an ultra-lightweight aluminum chassis augmented by rollover protection. The production name for the HIPERCAR hasn’t been decided, and speaking which, the final design of the hypercar will come in the form of a full-bodied vehicle.
On the subject of wheel selection, customers can choose between forged or carbon composite units designed to fit 265/30 R20 and 325/30 R21 tires. Zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) ? Only 2.4 seconds. Top speed? That would be 257 km/h or 160 mph, thank you! These being said, what’s the project’s next step? Well, prepare for a demonstration of two prototypes – 2WD and 4WD – at the Low Carbon Vehicle Show at Millbrook on September 6, 2017.
“It will be an expensive car because of the technology involved but when compared to £1m+ supercars, which it will outperform, it’s going to represent excellent value for money,” declared head honcho Simon Saunders.
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