GeTcRuNk

http://www.caranddriver.com/carnews/...-roadster.html

I thought it was a pretty interesting read...hope its not a re-post...enjoyy

(13,500 rpm redline )

kartweb

Really cool car. I've always been a fan of electrical powerplants, maybe an old throwback to the slot car days.

Batteries have always been the issue, and no doubt continue to be.

Three phase is a bit misleading. It's more of a stepper then 3 phase with an IGBT controller, just not having the controller designed to count steps for "positioning", but hey it's not an index table either.

The RPM limits come from the expansion of the rotor - more the copper bars that line the outside of the motor.

Locomotives have used electric drives for decades now, being far more efficient and durable then mechanical drives. Modern tug boats are all moving to electric drives, and we've been using them in mining trucks for about 20 years now.

No doubt we'll be seeing semi trucks going to electric drives (still using a diesel, only connected to an alternator) within the next 5-7 years. It costs more up front but with current operating costs it's cheaper over a million miles. It will take at least another 10 years for battery power to be cost effective in cars, but I would speculate in 20 years that wil be the predominent powerplant. Uless of course we discover some huge untapped source of oil...

Razz1

Yep, can't wait to see one.

An electic car would work for me. I have other cars for long trips.

shinka213

I saw it a few weeks back on TV.....i was very impressed....and the looks are nice too

PS....i forgot to mention....they say its pretty quick

lone_wolf025

Well at 248-hp and IIRC 200+lb-ft of torque hauling around 2500lbs I'd like to think so :D

Paul_in_DC

It's an impressive car. I hope they eventually come out with an affordable version.

BaronVonBigmeat

It will be really interesting when they get away from the volatile lithium batteries they are currently using. They have to use something like 6,000 small lithium cells since no one currently sells lithium car batteries. Then they had to design a cooling system that circulates liquid around the cells, and a computer which closely monitors the cells and prevents them from overheating.

Altairnano has recently tested their batteries and shown that they can last 15,000 cycles while retaining 85% capacity. That is freaking huge, because normal lithiums can do maybe 750 cycles before they die. You could have an electric car that lasts for a couple of decades or more, with minimal drivetrain maintenance. Their batteries also withstand 240 degree temps, work well when it's cold, and have something like 6 minute chargups. No problems with battery meltdowns either. Best of all, they will be targeting the automotive market with large-scale batteries. They haven't said anything about projected costs, I hope they will be cheap.

http://www.b2i.us/profiles/investor/...4&Category=856

http://www.altairnano.com/documents/...nder060920.pdf

\/\/\/ The roadster is supposed to be $80k~$90k. However they are projecting that as battery price/performance steadily continues to improve, they will be able to sell a sports sedan for around $50k.

GeTcRuNk

Its supposed to be under 50k and about 4 sec 0-60

lesper4

iTrader: (3)

i actually think this is a repost just not sure where the thread is now. it is a nice looking car.

MadRonin

No it's not. The buy-in price for the first 100 cars was $100k and that was the estimated final price. There is a chance that the car will cost more, but zero chance that it will cost less. Tesla wants to make a sedan that costs around $60k, but first they need the capital to develop the technology.

MadRonin

You're right on both accounts.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ighlight=tesla

dmorales

Just imagine hearing a tires squeal, and then...nothing...maybe a light hum? That would be weird! It almost doesn't seem right. lol
________
Live sex webshows

lone_wolf025

According to the article I read about it this was just a proof of concept deal to show people performance and electrically run can go together. They are working on producing more reasonablely priced vehicles that will appeal to those who don't have 100k to spend on a car.

Paul_in_DC

That puts us back to the days of putting playing cards in the wheels to make it sound cool.

TODreamer

its cool but waaaay too expensive

sosonic

The technology is there to make really cool electric cars. The blocks are advertising to consumers, car makers willing to make electric cars, and MAJOR interference from oil companies in fear of losing control.

An hybrid electric RX-8 would have been really great. It was insane for Mazda to make a hydrogen RX-8 that NOBODY will drive (Mazda should have went electric). The Telsa Roadster is showing the way, it would be nice if more followed their lead.

rx8wannahave

I agree, really cool...but too much $$$ but I'm always complaining about that...lol.

SSJ 909

Personally I love everything about this car.
imo what will make it start to fly off the lot would be to get it up to about 400 miles on a single charge, the total charge taking 1 hour, and it being priced between 40 & 50 g's.

Mazdaspeed RX8 ver2

very impressive, hopefully it pans out unlike the toyota alessandro volta.

Razz1

If it was 50k, I'd buy one for sure.

rxb ike

I saw one at the LA Autoshow last week. Pretty impressive looking and talking with the sales guy, seems pretty impressive.

rx8wannahave

Exactly! The recharge time is what sucks the most in this car...and price.

Razz1

Ja, 33hrs for a full charge from a completely dead set of batteries.

dupa12345

cool stuff .. i would love to see those reviewed by some objective critics .. too bad theyre sooo far away from anything usable or economical

sosonic

recharge is not a problem, when you can hook up an adapter and re-charge at your house or your friend's house. That can be better than searching for gas stations or putting more CO2 in the air to help global warming.

Very few people drive 24 hours a day without sleeping or taking a brake. When you go to sleep or take a brake, just recharge.

I hope these things catch on so the price can come down with them being mass produced. There really is not too many good reasons not to produce them, except oil companies blocking their production. $50,000 is a better number.