If you want to develop electric vehicle, EV and hybrid, HEV technology, what better way than to bring them to the race tracks.
The gist, you have read by now about Ford’s 2010 Fusion hybrid as a pace car for NASCAR, right? How about these other race cars that push the limit, according to Stuff?
Mitsubishi Motors MMR25. One of out favorite concepts, already covered here. Simply tantalizing… Mitsubishi has been a rally force for sometime, but the MMR25 is unique with its omni-directional wheels moved by 8 individual electric engine, which makes it an 8×4 wheel drive with its driving cockpit pointing in any direction. In other words, you can drive it sideways into any corner and point the nose in the outside curve line before reaching the apex. Another important aspect, its front and rear spoilers doubling as suspension blades. How you you like to drive this? We would.
Mercedes Formula Zero. Formula 1 is dead! Long Live Formula 0 or E, that is if you listen to Mercedes and a few other manufacturers ready to replace Formula 1 with more electrifying vehicles. Case in point, Mercedes sees a mix of open-wheeled racing and the America’s Cup to introduce to the masses Formula Zero Racer which would run on electric motors, with solar energy body panels and a large, rigid sail. Wy not?
MAZDA KAAN. Mazda also wants to replace F1 with its E1 series, with electric vehicles, EV. The twist here is a brilliant and innovative solution to never run out of electricity, by 2025 Mazda sees freeways with conductive sub-level electric polymer that would power electric cars, much as electric locomotive pick up electricity though catenaries. Why Mazda, might you ask? It has patented an electronic tire system featured in the 250mph, emission-free KAAN concept.
GM Chaparral Volt. Miss the good old days of the 70s racing period? GM wants to be part of the “2025 revival of the LA Times Grand Prix” with this environmentally-friendly CanAm Series concept. Much as the Volt, a plug-in hybrid, or in GM parlance an advanced Extended Range Electric Vehicle, EREV would use three renewable energy sources, Earth, Win and Fire. Dance, Boogie wonderland… but we digress. Gravity and momentum-capture regeneration and aero-thermal resistance technologies would be the Earth part, the Wind would be as the prototype CanAm 1970 Chaparral 2J with its 2 turbines to create down force. The Chaparral Volt would use rear turbine extractors for power cell cooling as well as down force and a combination of aero-assist braking and energy regeneration when switched to reverse. Top that with thin-film photovoltaic panels and you have the Fire part.
Audi R25. Pushing the HEV concept with algae biofuel, the ALMS 2025 would allow for high-velocity banks and tunnels, perfect for racing under any conditions. Using sections of the tunnels and banks powered WiTricity wireless electrical charging zones, the racer wouldn’t need fuel stops.
Toyota Lemans Racer. If you still are convinced with the probable/improbable future of hydrogen, than Toyota is your pony with its Lemans Racer. With its 2 basic modes, one for high speed and the other for cornering, the body and wheels would narrow to help it reach 350mph in the first case, while in the latter it would widen to create low centre of gravity stability. Why not do as the Italians did with the pendulum train?
As we can see, innovation is well and alive. Now all we need to do is actually build them.