JohnCh Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 As I believe someone mentioned on here before, Westfield plans to launch a one-make electric race series in the UK. They showed the chassis at the recent Autosport show in the UK (pics below were shamelessly stolen from a post on the WSCC boardroom.) Apparently the thick floor actually hides thin batteries. I’m not into electric cars myself (the sound of a proper engine screaming to redline is much of the fun) but I thought it was an interesting project worth mentioning. http://www.westfield-world.com/pictures/leccy2.jpg http://www.westfield-world.com/pictures/leccy3.jpg http://www.westfield-world.com/pictures/leccy4.jpg http://www.westfield-world.com/pictures/leccy1.jpg -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sporqster Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 I'm just imagining the attention this would draw at track days when everyone's filling up on $5 racing fuel and you're plugging it in at the RV power post ;-) I can't help but wonder if it would be able to hold a full charge through a 20-minute race. I know at Roebling Road my 7 can burn around 3 gallons in 20 minutes - and that is a lot of juice. I like it. any word on the $$$, or has anyone got info on a Locost version with parts that can actually be obtained (i.e. without the use of EV-1 or Prius parts?!?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted January 15, 2008 Author Share Posted January 15, 2008 I don't know much more about it, other than it is planned for a UK race series and there is a contest on to design the body. I'm not sure if they are planning to bring any to the States, but if they did it would certainly simplify part of the registration process -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manik Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 This competition *is* open to people outside of the U.K. You can sign up for it here: http://www.westfield-sportscars.co.uk/competition Picture is likely resized for your screen. Feel free to read it at full resolution. http://www.manikllc.com/WestfieldCompetitionLeaflet.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 I love the placement of the batteries Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 they shoud have huge AMod wings and splitters covered in photovoltaic cells! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 I love the placement of the batteries CG should be very low and it should hold the road well. Wounder what the road weight is or will be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xflow7 Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 I love the placement of the batteries I wonder what chemistry they're using. A number of the high energy density chemistries (in particular Li-based, IIRC) do not enjoy being smashed, punctured, etc and can actually become thermally unstable if abused too much. I believe some of the modern variations are less susceptible, but I'd hope they considered this before placing the batteries where they may be exposed to the odd curbing, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBH Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 I was wondering the same thing. Even an electrical short of a Li-cobalt battery can trigger a catastrophic event. I believe Valence Technologies offers a safer battery based on Li-phosphate chemistry. Their website has a great video showing the runaway reaction of the Li-Cobalt battery http://www.valence.com/technology/safety_video.html# Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southwind25 Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 Way cool concept! better watch how you mount your seats though! BZZZzzzt! :crazy: hmm...maybe put a playing card in the spokes so it makes a sound? seriously, it would be great to see more of this as time goes on. And yes i would own one. perhaps my grandkids will be converting our Birkin to this someday! isnt it great, that these cars are so flexible such that new technologies can be applied to them? Seriously..you couldnt do this with other makes ! sorta makes you proud to own something that is being brought into the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xflow7 Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 I was wondering the same thing. Even an electrical short of a Li-cobalt battery can trigger a catastrophic event. I believe Valence Technologies offers a safer battery based on Li-phosphate chemistry. Their website has a great video showing the runaway reaction of the Li-Cobalt battery http://www.valence.com/technology/safety_video.html# Can't believe you posted that video. I came across that a couple of years ago when doing some work with high-energy batteries and was wracking my brain last night trying to remember where I found it so I could post it here. Glad you put it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian7 Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 Heck, even laptops are bursting in to flames these days, if you believe what you read... I like the idea of alternatives to oil, but have to agree with the lack-of-sound complaint. A few years ago we were racing a Saturday/Monday event at Lime Rock (which forbids car noises on Sundays), so a mixed group of elecrtic race cars put on a show. Very disconcerting seeing a dozen "race cars" nose to tail streaming downhill towards start finish, and not hearing anything but a mild swoosh... Gotta love having max torque at zero rpm though !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I knew I remembered seeing a site of a home-grown electric Birkin, well I found it here: http://www.electric7.com/ To me, not having the sound of the exhaust would take away a good portion of the driving experience! Bruce :7fume: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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