Envision Virgin reveals first two-seater electric formula car
The Envision Virgin Racing Formula E team has lifted the lid on the world’s first two-seater electric formula car as part of its United Nations Climate Change Conference display.
This marks a joint venture with FTSE 100 sustainable technology company Johnson Matthey, while Autosport understands that Delta Engineering, which has built two-seat Formula 1 cars in the past in addition to the spec Grand Prix Masters machinery, had led the development.
The powertrain features the first full-size application of Johnson Matthey’s eLNO lithium-ion battery, which deploys nickel-rich cathodes to provide 20% greater energy density than conventional road car technology.
This culminates in a power output of 250kW, equivalent to 335bhp, and matches the maximum capacity that the McLaren Applied-powered Formula E cars can activate via attack mode as of the 2022 season.
Figures released give the car a top speed of 140mph, while the sprint to 60mph is reckoned to be 3.2 seconds.
That works out as 34mph and four tenths slower than the final-year capabilities of the Gen2 Formula E cars.
The “dedicated” two-seater carbon-fibre monocoque uses a tandem set-up to house its driver and passenger, while the car will run slick tyres as opposed to the current treaded all-weather Michelin compound used in Formula E.
Envision Virgin Racing managing director and chief technology officer Sylvain Filippi said: “The two-seater race car has been specifically designed to test and push the battery performance to its extreme.
“This battery technology is unlike anything else we’ve seen before, and we wanted to create a prototype car that would really put it through its paces and showcase its huge potential.
“Challenging on-track trials will provide an accurate indication of how the battery could perform in commercial use.
Nick Cassidy, Envision Virgin Racing, Audi e-tron FE07, Managing Director, Sylvain Filippi
Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
“It won’t be required to reach the same speeds away from the track but will face other modern commuting and road-driving demands that require strong, reliable battery performance.
“These really are next generation batteries with the potential to revolutionise the wider public adoption of EVs.”
Envision Virgin Racing will, in addition, unveil its 2022 Formula E challengers at the COP26 summit in Glasgow, while also showing a Formula E car made entirely of plastic waste.
Johnson Matthey’s battery materials sector chief executive Christian Gunther added: “As the very first public application of our eLNO technology, the two-seater race car will provide a stunning next step in bringing our ground-breaking technology to market.
“Not only will the racer generate valuable test data, but we look forward to giving passengers the opportunity to experience the visceral thrill of a high-performance electric race car.”
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