Following in the footsteps of the Tesla Roadster, British engineering company Delta Motorsport has designed and built a new electric sports car, the E-4 Coupe. Powered by two electric motors, each developing 120 horsepower while only weighing 23 kg (51 lbs), the car has a driving range of 200 miles (322 km) on a single charge. The E-4 Coupe has been developed from the ground up with the intention to obtain a curb weight as low as possible, while considering the presence of batteries, which unavoidably add weight.
This is why it uses a carbon composite chassis manufactured by KS Composites, which weighs just 85 kg (187 lbs), a remarkable 66 percent less than a comparable steel structure. While it is light, the chassis has the necessary strength to pass EU crash tests.
The electric motors develop together well over 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) of torque, available from the first push of the accelerator pedal. The Delta E-4 Coupe can therefore accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in less than five seconds and reach a top speed of 150 mph (241 km/h). The electric sports car has a low seating position and promises precise handling as the batteries are mounted under the floor, keeping the center of gravity as close to the ground as possible.
The Delta E-4 Coupe will take part in the RAC Future Car Challenge on November 5 2011, a day before the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, which showcases the latest low energy vehicles in a 60-mile run from Brighton to London, with the challenge of using the least amount energy. There are no details so far on pricing and production.
Scroll down to find out more about the new British EV from Delta Motorsport’s co-founder Nick Carpenter and to see it in action.
By Dan Mihalascu
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