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Motor vehicle From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Wrightspeed X1 is a one-off Ariel Atom heavily modified to use an all-electric powertrain. The Atom was chosen for its light weight and efficient design. The electric motor and inverter are sourced from AC Propulsion, makers of the TZero concept car, while the batteries are low weight, high energy density lithium ion provided from A123 Systems. As with the Atom the transmission is a Honda unit, but stripped of its shifting mechanism and other parts to provide only the second gear speed, allowed by the wide speed and torque range available from the electric motor.
This article was nominated for deletion. The discussion was closed on 20 May 2024 with a consensus to merge the content into the article Revo Powertrains. If you find that such action has not been taken promptly, please consider assisting in the merger instead of re-nominating the article for deletion. To discuss the merger, please use the destination article's talk page. (May 2024) |
X1 Prototype | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Wrightspeed |
Production | None, prototype only |
Designer | Ian Wright |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Roadster |
Body style | Open wheel roadster |
Layout | Rear mid-motor, rear-wheel drive |
Platform | Ariel Atom |
Related | Ariel Atom, tzero |
Powertrain | |
Electric motor | 3-phase, 4-pole AC Induction |
Transmission | Single gear ratio 8.25:1 (no clutch) |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2345 mm / 92.3 in |
Length | 3410 mm / 134.25 in |
Width | 1798 mm / 70.8 in |
Height | 1195 mm / 47.0 in |
Curb weight | 697 kg / 1536 lb |
Built by San Francisco-based New Zealand engineer Ian Wright, the X1 created a stir when it bested several sports cars in a drag race, including a Carrera GT (even with a rolling start, an advantage for the gas burning vehicles), all while being filmed by local news station KRON 4. Despite the impressive performance, the vehicle is intended only as a proof of concept. Future production is planned; however, according to the website, "... the production car will be quite different, since it will meet the safety standards, which the prototype does not. It will, however, be at least as quick as the prototype.". Mr. Wright was a co-founder of electric-car company Tesla Motors, but has since left to pursue his own ideas.
Most of these images are applicable to the Ariel Atom
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