VIDEO: THE ARIEL HIPERCAR WILL BE A CRAZY 1,180HP ELECTRIC SUPERCAR JET HYBRID!
Ariel is making an insane, 1,180-hp jet hybrid called the HIPERCAR!
It's not often that Ariel releases something new, but here we introduce you to the Ariel HIPERCAR! Technically, it isn't really a hypercar, but the technology and acceleration kind of makes it one!
Rather than the traditional V8 or four-cylinder engine used in the Ariel Atom, this new car will be powered by electric motors putting down a silly 1,180-hp and 1,327 lb-ft of torque.
However, Ariel will be combining these electric motors with a 35-kW micro-turbine gas range extender!
Think of this as an insane Chevy Volt powertrain, but with a jet engine instead of a gasoline setup! You see? Hybrid technology is also pretty cool!
Here's some information you might be interested in...
The EV sports car gets to 60mph in a short 2.4 seconds and all the way to 100mph in just 3.8 seconds! The 160mph top speed might be upsetting to some Autobahn folks, but a crazy super car top end just isn't a reality for a one-speed step-down gearbox in the Ariel.
We can expect both four-wheel and rear-wheel-drive variants of this HIPERCAR.
Keep in mind: you'll be stuck with a meagre 590 hp if you opt for rear-wheel-drive and those acceleration figures are only for the four-wheel-drive models!
The electric vehicle is powered by a heated and cooled 750-volt, 56-kWh or 42-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, depending on configuration.
Although you might expect the batteries to make the car insanely heavy, the entire body will be built out of aluminium, including the suspension – a curb weight hasn't been shared yet.
Bilstein dampers should keep things pretty stiff and under control, while the car rides on either forged or carbon composite 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires provide a grip with 265 in front and 325 out back.
In favour of "feel and consistency" of the brake pedal at all states of battery charge, regenerative braking has been trashed. Six-piston AP Racing callipers clamp down on the front rotors, and four-piston units do the work in the rear.
We won't be able to see a full-bodied version of the car just yet, but the Ariel says the sports car will have more enclosed surfaces that its Atom and Nomad.
Ariel claims "this is the first true electric supercar that will cross continents, drive to town and lap a racetrack."
We can expect the car's full release in 2019 (with production beginning shortly thereafter in 2020). So we'll just have to wait and see what the British sports car company can pull off with its first try at an electric!
Watch the video to see what we can expect from the Ariel's HIPERCAR!