P1-E electric sportscar planned by ex-McLaren designer
Click above to enlarge the JJAD P1-E
Remember the P1 project from ex-McLaren F1 designer Jim Dowle? Just about a year ago, JJAD, Dowle's design firm, announced plans to build an inexpensive sportscar that was supposed to be a Lotus Exige challenger. Why mess with something that's already so well established? Instead, Dowle has charted a new, greener course and will now use an electric drivetrain for his upcoming gullwing-doored sportscar, now named the P1-E.
Being green doesn't often come cheap, and adding a lithium-ion battery pack and dual electric motors powering all four wheels has raised the expected price to £55,000, or about $75,000 USD. That sum would theoretically undercut the Tesla Roadster, and Dowle is claiming a run to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds with a range of 230 miles to boot. Working prototypes are scheduled for 2009, after which some additional funding will likely be necessary. Stay tuned.
[Source: JJAD]
PRESS RELEASE:
JJAD's Much Acclaimed P1 Sports Car Continues to Take Shape - Now with Electric Power
CHOBHAM – January 23, 2009: Former McLaren designer Jim Dowle (JJAD) first announced details of his eye-catching P1 sports car back in February of last year. The response was universally positive and the subsequent progress has been both rapid and dramatic – in particular, a switch to electric power means the P1-E is destined to be one of the world's first purpose-built electric sports cars. With stunning acceleration (0-60mph in 2.9 secs), practical range (230 miles), low weight (1,055kg) and a price around £55,000, this gullwing–doored, pocket rocket will be the electric car enthusiasts really will want to own.
Having worked on such landmark projects as the McLaren F1, Dowle knows what it takes to make a drivers' car. The P1-E's twin electric motors and attendant lithium-ion batteries are placed for optimum weight distribution and low centre of gravity, while the long wishbones front and rear ensure ideal suspension geometry. Four-wheel drive endows the car with maximum traction. It also allows regenerative braking on each wheel, the energy gained from which is used to top up the batteries.
Said Dowle, "All the electric cars produced to date have been compromised in one way or another and most have been of little attraction to the enthusiast driver. We decided it was time to create an affordable electric sports car that combined the advantages of conventionally-engined machines with those of electric ones, without the disadvantages of either – in short, a drivers' car for the 21st century.
"Since February we've been busy finalising the specification, fine-tuning the styling and seeking appropriate funding, and plan to have our first prototype up and running during 2009. Most of the programme's key partnerships are now in place, though we'd still welcome approaches from any companies interested in investing in our mould-breaking performance car. Another remaining task is to gree its final name, P1-E being the project's code."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
realistic_idealist 3:07PM (1/23/2009)
Man, these McLaren people are productive...
Is there anything they don't know how to build?
They should be put at the helm of GM and Chrysler! LOLZ
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iPopeye 3:12PM (1/23/2009)
i say we do a Death Race with all them CEOs and winner gets all
suicycle.com 3:31PM (1/23/2009)
Ahhh... McLaren. Such incredible design. That price, though. Can it be real? Please be real.
Vik 3:16PM (1/23/2009)
If they maintain price and specs, I pay the full price in advance right now!
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TurboPanzer 3:21PM (1/23/2009)
SSC called, wondering how many minutes for a full recharge.
/Snakeoil vs. Snakieroil
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stevezilla 3:27PM (1/23/2009)
these concepts are great, but where are the electric cars for us normal people?
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XGM 3:48PM (1/23/2009)
Have you heard of the Chevy Volt ?
Serryl 4:32PM (1/23/2009)
@ XGM
To be fair, the Volt is supposed to sell for $40,000. That's still pretty pricey for the average Joe or Jane.
MikeofLA 3:50PM (1/23/2009)
I wonder how many town hall meetings they are going to need to explain price increases, unmet delivery obligations and a general lack of serious direction... i.e. Tesla... If they build it and it works, they will come.
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F-22 4:15PM (1/23/2009)
ex-McLaren designer plus Lamborghini (Estoque) wheels...like it! :D
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cdwrx 4:19PM (1/23/2009)
Please offer green so it can more obviously resemble a frog.
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superman211 5:58PM (1/23/2009)
Copy Saleen Raptor much?
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Jim 8:35AM (1/24/2009)
Can someone tell me why electric cars have to be either sports cars or economy cars? Don't get me wrong, I'd love to get behind the wheel of this thing. But, why don't there seem to be any real plans to make a high-volume average everyday electric car? Something like an Accord (or something new and better). Surely if we can make an electric car that gets to 60 in 3 seconds and goes over 200 miles on a charge, we can make a regular car that gets to 60 in 6 or 7 seconds and goes over 300 miles on a charge, which is about equivalent to a fossil powered car. What am I missing?
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howard 7:37PM (2/03/2009)
Remember Jim, Talk is cheap! Tesla is on the road and doing one hell of a job convincing the driving public it can compete! When the Volt hits the street in quantity Tesla will drop the price to under $50,000! Those who paid the $125,000+ will no doubt get a rebate or a reduced cost on anothe Tesla! If I was 20 years younger I'd be driving one right now but at 79 I'm lucky to be driving my Dodge Intrepid which I do by choice not need!
EEL 1:57PM (1/24/2009)
Please refer to Chevy Volt reference above
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Jim 9:21AM (1/25/2009)
Do you really think the Volt is a normal car? I don't see people that might otherwise drive a 3-series or an IS or a Maxima, just to name a few normal cars, flocking to the Volt. It looks cheesy like an economy car.
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