What Does Ariel’s New HIPERCAR Have in Store for Grads of Hybrid Automotive Training Courses?
Ariel Motor Company has been creating some of the fastest vehicles on Earth for the past 150 years. From bicycles and quadricyles to race cars and motorcycles, Ariel has seemingly done it all, until now. After the success of its track vehicle, the Ariel Atom—which has no doors or roof and resembles a giant roll cage—the company is pushing the boundaries again. This time, Ariel is dipping its feet into hybrid technology with the HIPERCAR.
The HIPERCAR’s name is an acronym for (Hi)gh (Per)formance (Ca)rbon (R)eduction. Set to be finished in 2019, the vehicle won’t be in production until 2020. Nevertheless, car enthusiasts across the world are waiting with bated breath to see if Ariel delivers on its promises. Keep reading to learn more about the much anticipated HIPERCAR.
Students in Hybrid Automotive Training Courses May Be Impressed by the HIPERCAR’s Specs
Ariel is known for building cars that don’t mess around, and the HIPERCAR is no exception. It boasts specs that would be impressive for even a traditional race car, let alone a hybrid one. The top model HIPERCAR will have 1,180 horsepower and 1,330 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in a quick 2.4 seconds. Even the lower two-wheel drive model will still offer an impressive 590 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque.
Well-known automotive designer and leader at Ariel, Simon Saunders, thinks the car will be the first of its kind, making the transition from the race track to the road with ease. Saunders notes that, “This is the first true electric supercar that will cross continents, drive to town and lap a race track.”
Forward-Thinking Technology Is at the Heart of the Ariel HIPERCAR
So, how does the HIPERCAR go so fast? The car will come in two models, featuring either two or four powerful electric motors that are paired with single-speed gearboxes, which directly drive the car’s wheels. The electric motors are powered by a substantial lithium ion battery pack that provides 750 volts and 56 kilowatt hours of power. The battery is charged by a 35 kilowatt micro-turbine fuel range extender, which allows the vehicle to be driven off of standard fuel.
The car is held together by an aluminum chassis with a wishbone shape, and, as students in a hybrid vehicles training program will note, its wheels are large compared to its low frame. In fact, the front wheels are 20 inches and the back 21. The whole car should end up weighing about 3,500 pounds, less than a Ford Escape SUV, but about 200 pounds more than a Porsche 911.
Students in Hybrid Vehicles Training Programs Know the HIPERCAR Is a Path-Carver
Even with quality hybrid and EV brands like Lucid Motors and Tesla slowly appearing on the market, there’s still a perception that cars that use alternative energy sources don’t provide as much power as their conventional counterparts. Ariel has never dabbled in the hybrid or electric realm before, but this shows that even companies known for producing fun-to-drive race cars and motorcycles can invest in hybrid technology and create forward-thinking and innovative vehicles.
What does this mean for the rest of the automotive industry? Students in hybrid automotive training courses can expect more automotive brands, and not just the mainstream ones, to begin creating their own versions of hybrid and electric vehicles. As hybrid technology continues to advance, announcements of new and innovate alternative energy cars of all types will likely become more commonplace.
Do you want a career that allows you to work on interesting hybrid vehicles?
Contact Automotive Training Centres to learn more about our automotive technology program!
