We've never thought of the Ariel Atom as being slow, but this one has the capability to blow away any road-going Ferrari, and it’s powered by electricity.
The X1 has been built by Ian Wright, an engineer from California, and its secret is a massive electric motor in place of the Atom’s standard 2.0-litre Honda engine. Wright claims the X1 will crack 0-60mph in 3sec, return the equivalent of 170mpg and has a range of 100 miles.
It uses a compact three-phase AC electric motor, powered by 243kg of lithium-ion batteries. It produces the equivalent of 236bhp and 182lb ft of torque – one heck of a lot for a car that weighs just 697kg.
The X1 is just a prototype – the batteries alone cost £21,000 - but Wright intends to develop a full production version of the car, which he reckons would cost around £52,000.
Join the debate
Add your comment
Electric performance is the
Electric performance is the best and upcoming thing that people will look up to just for the use of rush essay review. If it works the way we want, then it will be the best thing for all of us.