At the Frankfurt Motor Show, Croatian manufacturer Rimac Automobili has unveiled Concept_One, electric supercar. Croatia is not really known for its expertise in the auto sector, but a 23-year-old automotive designer thinks he can change all that with his all-electric supercar.
The Concept_One is a electric supercar with an interesting propulsion concept. The power train is divided into four sub-systems, each consisting of one motor, inverter and reduction gearbox. Each of those systems drives one wheel, working completely independent one from the other. This system is called All Wheel Torque Vectoring. The result power is a massive 1,088 hp with 2800 pound-feet of instantaneous torque.
With so much horsepower, much of the car’s weight is due to the battery pack. With an aluminum frame wrapped in carbon fiber, the Concept_One weighs in at about 3,630 pounds, but that doesn’t stop it to clock in at 2.8 seconds on a 0-62 mph and continue to accelerate to the limit of 190 mph. Perhaps even more impressive is the claimed range of 373 miles thanks to a 92kWh lithium ion phosphate (LiFePO4) battery.
The carbon fiber body is designed by Adriano Mudri. The car features an expressive side-graphic in exposed carbon which indicates its production technology and its light weight at the same time. The interior is designed by a team of former Pininfarina employees, led by Mr. Goran Popović. After the Rimac Automobili engineering team finished the development and prototyping of the interior parts, the leather-specialist Vilner stepped-in. Special attention has been paid to the infotainment system and gadgets like head-up-displays and soft-close doors which had to match the propulsion technology in its advancement. The result is a futuristic car, both on the outside and inside.
Production will be limited to 88 units, with deliveries of road vehicles starting in 2013. The Concept_One electric supercars is going to be priced a bit below the gasoline-powered competition from Pagani, Koenigsegg and Bugatti, Rimac says, adding that he has already received orders from the Middle East. [Rimac Automobili]
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