Gordon Murray Design has taken the wraps of a new prototype rear-drive electric sports car.
GMD, headed by legendary McLaren F1 designer Gordon Murray, was commissioned by carbonfibre specialist Toray Industries Inc to build the new two-seat sports car, called Teewave AR.1.
The Teewave AR.1, codenamed T.32, uses a Toray-supplied carbonfibre monocoque chassis and the all-electric powertrain from the Mitsubishi iMiEV.
Its 63bhp, 133lb ft electric motor and 16kWh lithium-ion battery pack helps propel the lightweight 850kg machine from 0-62mph in 11.4sec and onto a top speed of 91mph. A “lively” 0-31mph time of 4.4sec is also quoted by GMD.
A full recharge of the battery pack takes six hours and the AR.1’s claimed range is 116 miles.
The concept features carbonfibre crash structures that performed well in simulators. And although the powertrain is borrowed from the iMiEV, GMD says the “unique electrical architecture and control units” are its own design.
The 3975mm long, 1765mm wide and 1154mm high AR.1 features a full-length undertray with ground-effect diffuser; and its double wishbone suspension front and rear, along with its low weight and low centre of gravity, is said to result in “an excellent ride and handling balance”.
GMD says the project took just nine months from “concept discussions to running vehicle”. GMD and Toray insist the car is a one-off running prototype designed to showcase both firms’ technologies, but almost all the various tech showcased in the car can be applied to more mainstream products, including the carbonfibre monocoque.
Murray said his latest creation’s ultra low kerb weight “proves that performance through light weight is the most efficient and environmentally friendly way to achieve power-to-weight targets”.
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