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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 agree its final name, P1-E being the project’s
code.” |
