Ian Wright is betting big on electric cars. Not just any electric car: his car can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3 seconds!
In the first matchup, the X1 crushed the Ferrari in an eighth-mile sprint and then in the quarter-mile, winning by two car lengths. In the second race, against the $440,000 Porsche, the two cars were even after an eighth of a mile. But as the Porsche driver let out the clutch in a final upshift, his tires briefly lost traction. The X1, blazing along in its software-controlled performance mode, beat the Porsche by half a car length.
It never occurred to me that I would lose," says Kim Stuart, the Porsche's driver. "It was like a light switch. He hit the pedal and was gone."
If the car looks familiar, it's because Wright builds his car from off-the-shelf parts. The chassis is actually that of British-made Ariel Atom, previously featured in Neatorama a while ago.
Form follows function. It's proven that it goes fast and can do it efficiently. Now, the real question is, can it change the industry as a production car that people can love? Will it have the charm of a Beetle? Will it earn the loyalty of Saturn lovers? Can it's brand become an auto icon that people will prefer over everything else? A zero emissions car has to do more than go fast. But, performance is a serious step in finding acceptance.
Looks just a bit drafty for winter driving. But it is eye catching, and can beat a Porsche. Drop that on the market when gas gets to $4.00 and you will have a hit.
A zero emissions car has to do more than go fast. But, performance is a serious step in finding acceptance.