Quant F all-electric concept gets Geneva debut

Electric car maker nanoFlowcell has pulled the wraps off its new Quant F electric four-seat saloon at the Geneva motor show.

The Liechtenstein-based company says the Quant F is a re-engineered and redesigned version of the Quant e-Sportlimousine concept previewed at last year’s Geneva motor show and is capable of an 800km (500-mile) all-electric range.

Measuring 5.25 metres long, the Quant F is powered by four electric motors with a peak output of 1075bhp for a limited duration and a maximum rated voltage of 735V, compared with the e-Sportlimousine's 912bhp and 600V.

The transmission is a new, in-house-developed two-speed automatic, “the like of which has not yet existed”, says nanoFlowcell. Top speed is reported to be 186mph.

Chief technical officer Nunzio La Vecchia says the car is powered by the firm’s own flow cell battery storage technology with an ionic liquid.

“Instead of using hydrogen and oxygen as in a conventional fuel cell, we work with two ionic fluids – one with a positive charge and one with a negative charge," he says.

“With a total tank capacity of 500 litres, comprising two 250-litre tanks accommodated separately in the Quant’s substructure, we have achieved an increase in range of over 30 per cent in comparison to the e-Sportlimousine.”

The four-wheel-drive saloon also has the ability to be converted automatically to rear-wheel drive at appropriate speeds, with the front axle essentially becoming ‘declutched’ and running in idle mode.

The bodyshell is a newly developed carbonfibre monocoque with narrower A-pillars than those of the e-Sportlimousine. A two-stage aerodynamic aerofoil is automatically activated above 50mph, providing downforce to the rear of the car and allegedly increasing grip to the road.

Back-lit crystals are fitted to the headlights that project a ‘Q’ when they are switched on. The firm says this new light technology gives the appearance of eyes with pupils and lends even more personality to the car's front end.

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