Gordon Murray Design has taken the wraps of a new prototype rear-drive electric sports car.
GMD, headed by legendary Brabham and McLaren F1 designer Gordon Murray, was commissioned by carbon fiber specialist Toray Industries, Inc., to build the new two-seat sports car, called Teewave AR.1. The car uses a Toray-supplied carbon-fiber monocoque chassis and the all-electric powertrain from the Mitsubishi iMiEV city car.
Its 63hp, 133lb-ft electric motor and 16kWh lithium-ion battery pack helps propel the lightweight (1,874lb) machine from 0-62mph in 11.4sec and onto a top speed of 91mph. A “lively” 0-31mph time of 4.4sec is also quoted by GMD.
A full recharge of the battery pack takes six hours and the AR.1's claimed range is 116 miles.
The concept features carbon-fiber crash structures that performed well in simulators. And although the powertrain is borrowed from the iMiEV, GMD says the “unique electrical architecture and control units” are its own design.
The 13.5ft long, 69.5in. wide and 45.4in. high AR.1 features a full-length under tray with ground-effect diffuser, and its double wishbone suspension front and rear, along with its low weight and low center of gravity, is said to result in “an excellent ride and handling balance.”
GMD says the project took just nine months from concept discussions to running vehicle. GMD and Toray insist the car is a one-off running prototype designed to showcase both companies' technologies, but almost all of the technology showcased in the car can be applied to more mainstream products, including the carbon-fiber monocoque.
Murray said his latest creation's ultra-low curb weight “proves that performance through light weight is the most efficient and environmentally friendly way to achieve power-to-weight targets.”