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.
Electric Raceabout Research Vehicle from Finland
ERA - Electric Raceabout
X Prize contender
By Brian Potter
May 22, 2008 3:02 PM
Filed Under: Artist Renderings, Audi, Concept Car, European, Green
Comments
_M7_
May 22, 2008 3:13 PM
NICE! it looks like TVR madness cars jeje
Bristol411S3
May 22, 2008 4:53 PM
Quite neat, but a big job to get into production. They probably won't be able to use ERA, as English Racing Automobiles got their first.
Bremen_Koenigsegg
May 23, 2008 6:34 AM
Blah! Stop it. As large a supporter as I am of Electric Vehicles, I concede they will -never- make it as sports cars. Granted they're fast, but with one gear ratio (1:1) and no noise, there is honestly no point; they will never capture anyone's imagination. And for heaven's sake, if you are going to change the propulsion system, why not take advantage of the flexible architecture it allows for? We are on the precipice of major change in the automotive industry.... Why are our Design Institutions being so damned conventional?! (Cool looking car at any rate.)
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