Electric Raceabout Research Vehicle from Finland

Sourced from our sister site WCF Finland, first details regarding an experimental research vehicle project called, ERA - Electric Raceabout, has recently emerged. As contenders for the Progressive Automotive X Prize, the creators, Helsinki Polytechnic Stadia and Lahti Polytechnic Institute of Design, have drafted a carbon-fiber bodied, lithium-ion powered sports car with a few suspension and HVAC components extracted from the Audi R8.

The ERA will use the latest Li-Ion battery packet technology powering all four wheels and propelling it 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph). Operational range is 300 km (186 miles) on a single charge. Target weight is 1250 kg (2755 lbs.)

With an impressive list of front line companies, suppliers and organizations from Finland's automotive industry, the ERA's ultimate goal is to achieve low volume production. Helsinki Polytechnic Stadia has previously produced eleven research vehicles and the ERA is set to make it's full scale introduction in summer 2009.