rimac

All posts in “rimac”

Rimac reveals the Nevera

Rimac Automobili, located in Zagreb, Croatia, has finally unveiled their production-ready hypercar that will set the scene for the future, the 1,914hp all-electric concept from 2018 only known as the C_Two up to today has received her name … Nevera, a name inspired by the mighty and unexpected Mediterranean storm that races across the open sea off Croatia according to Rimac Automobili Founder and CEO Mate Rimac.

It took the engineers at Rimac about three years of development to arrive at this stage, finally, the €2,000,000 limited production Rimac Nevera is ready to be sold, only 150 units will be made in Zagreb, but these will come with four electric motors for a combined power output of 1,914 hp and a massive 2,360 Nm of torque.

This kind of power comes with some amazing performance figures in the Rimac Nevera, a top speed of 412 km/h (258 mph) and an acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 1.85 seconds, now that’s not fast, that’s blindingly fast … after only 8.6 seconds you have traveled a quarter-mile in the Nevera, and thanks to the 500 kW battery, the range is an impressive 550 km or 340 miles, and if you run low on battery power, it only takes 19 minutes to go from 0% to 80% charge, do note that these electric cars never really deplete the battery to 0%.

Mate Rimac has been inspired by fellow-Croatian Nikola Tesla when he converted his personal BMW E30 to battery power in 2008, Mate performed this conversion in his own garage, before he founded Rimac Automobili in 2009, by 2020 he was developing a trend-setting electric hypercar with a team of 1,000 employees, things have moved fast for Rimac Automobili, and this new Nevera is possibly even faster, a nice touch is the fact that each of the 150 Rimac Nevera that will be built, will have been tested and signed-off on by Mate Rimac himself.

But this isn’t the only electric car Rimac is making, in fact, Rimac Automobili has been creating electric drivetrains for high-end carmakers like Aston Martin, Porsche, Pininfarina, Hyundai, Kia, Koenigsegg, Renault, and Cupra to name a few, but the Nevera will be the fastest of them all, just like the Mediterranean storm her name was derived from, a storm that’s extremely powerful and charged by lightning, a perfect name for this electric hypercar.

During development since the 2018 concept prototype, Rimac managed to increase the aerodynamic efficiency of the design by 34% by modifying the profile of the bonnet, the pillars, and even the design on the diffuser, the splitters, and the radiators, all effort has been made to create the optimum airflow and downforce for the cooling channels. Rimac developed an innovative active aerodynamics system for the new Nevera, while many cars settle for an adjustable front splitter and rear wing, Rimac also installs flaps on the undertray and adds an adjustable rear diffuser … and all of these aero parts can be altered independently from each other. Switching from ‘high downforce’ to ‘low drag’ mode reduces aerodynamic drag by 17.5 % to create a 0.3 coefficient of drag. Changing back into ‘high downforce’ mode increases downforce by 326 %.

The Nevera monocoque has been developed by the former C_Two Chief Engineer Daniele Giachi, it is made up of a bonded carbon roof with an integrated structural battery pack and rear carbon subframe … this combined is the largest single carbon-fiber piece in the automotive industry. With an overall weight below 200kg, the monocoque is made up of 2200 carbon fiber plys and 222 aluminum inserts, to create an incredibly strong structure with a torsional stiffness of 70.000 Nm/degree, this is the most rigid structure of any car ever made, I do hope they do a convertible version in the future too.

The Rimac Nevera comes with a liquid-cooled, H-shaped 6,960-cell battery with a capacity of 120kWh, being an integral part of the monocoque structure, the battery has an optimum position low in the chassis, and in the center, weight distribution in the Nevera is an impressive 48/52% front to rear for an amazing handling balance.

Everything about the Nevera has been further developed since the C_Two concept, the battery is capable of producing 1.4MW of power, and the four bespoke surface-mounted permanent magnet motors drive are coupled to each wheel individually, they can deliver more power for a longer period of time, combined these enable 1914hp and 2360Nm of torque, the front and rear wheels are each connected to a pair of single-speed gearboxes, you just press the pedal … and go … and keep going, no gear changes.

Nevera’s impressive stopping power comes from 390 mm Brembo CCMR carbon-ceramic brake discs and six-piston calipers called friction brakes by Rimac, but being an all-electric car, the Nevera also has regenerative braking through the electric motors, hence a maximum range-enhancing regenerative braking of 300 kW is provided by these electric motors.

The Nevera also comes with Rimac’s All-Wheel Torque Vectoring 2 (R-AWTV 2) system which completely replaces traditional ESP and Traction Control systems, the Nevera’s R-AWTV 2 system enables infinitely variable dynamic responses to road and track conditions by calibrating the amount of torque supplied to each wheel, this allows the Nevera to be drifted sideways or provide optimum levels of all-wheel-drive grip, traction, and safety … this is a luxury GT car, a sportscar, and a hypercar all in one.

This GT approach is further emphasized by the use of a double-wishbone suspension with electronically controlled dampers together with active ride height adjustment, to offer both a smooth and comfortable ride, but at the same time, amazing body control and ultra-agile handling by the ‘steer-by-wire’ electric power steering system … this Rimac system also helps with the ‘Driver Coach’ mode where the Nevera to demonstrate optimum racing lines and vehicle control to the driver.

The Rimac Nevera comes with seven different driving modes pre-programmed into the system, SPORT, DRIFT, COMFORT, RANGE, TRACK, and two more custom modes for the owner to set their own preferences for various options on the performance characteristics like throttle response, brakes, suspension, steering, and torque split front to rear.

We know not all owners will be F1 pilots, but from 2022 on Rimac has the perfect solution to allow every driver to get the most out of their Nevera, the innovative Driving Coach can access 12 ultrasonic sensors, 13 cameras, 6 radars, and uses the very latest NVIDIA Pegasus operating system, to offer the most immersive experience behind the wheel. The Driving Coach can overlay race circuits in real-time, adds clear and precise audio and visual guidance, so every driver can train to perfect their racing lines, braking and acceleration points, and steering inputs.

The Rimac Nevera only offers room for two occupants, but that’s complete with luggage and race equipment if needed, all the information is shown on three different TFT displays, which can be configured for Race mode or Comfort mode … in Race mode, only a minimum of information is shown so the screens don’t attract unwanted attention, while in Comfort mode they show a lot more information that could be useful during that relaxing drive … in a 2,000 hp hypercar.

Chances of two of the 150 Rimac Nevera looking the same are slim to non-existent as customers will be able to choose from a massive range of bespoke trim and materials, this flagship is available in different editions by the way: GT, Signature, Timeless, and Bespoke … with a €2,000,000 MSRP I wonder how much some of these Nevera will add up to once the client is finished with his, or her options.

Each client is invited by Rimac to visit the HQ in Croatia so their Nevera can be perfectly matched to their demands, the cars are exclusively available through Rimac’s global dealer partners network, taking in 19 sites and many of the world’s major cities across Europe, North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, and Asia.

I for one can’t wait to see the first Rimac Nevera on the streets being filmed and photographed ‘in the wild’, I think this will be a hypercar that many future cars will be measured against, the Rimac Nevera will most likely become a reference in this domain … if this is what electric cars look like, and how they perform, I think we are good … still nothing beats the raw sound of a V12 naturally aspirated Lamborghini for me, but that’s personal, the automotive world is changing, and we’ll have to change with it I guess.

June 1, 2021 / Comments Off

538

Rimac C_Two gets its name

Introduced at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, the Rimac C_Two, also referred to as the Concept Two, boasted some really impressive figures: 1,914 hp with a top speed of 412 km/h (258 mph). Rimac calls it the new breed of hypercar, with acceleration figures of 1.85 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill, this might be the closest thing to launching a jet fighter from an aircraft carrier on the road.

But it seems we will finally be seeing the actual production version on June 1, 2021, when Rimac will also unveil their name for this amazing new hypercar, Rimac Automobili released a 40-seconds teaser on YouTube with the caption “More extreme performance, new official name, immersive features, extraordinary technology, and exceptional engineering in its final form.” … so will there be even more power for the final production version?

Rimac has been talking about figures like 1,914 hp already for years now, with a top speed of 412 km/h (258 mph), they call their C_Two a new breed of hypercar, with acceleration figures of 1.85 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill … have they used the additional year of development since their intention to unveil the car at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show to up these statistics even more?

We’ll have to wait and see what the official release will be on June 1, but until then we can check out their teaser below:

[embedded content] [embedded content]

May 30, 2021 / Comments Off

399

Doesn’t Get Greenier than This: Rimac Unveils New HQ with Gardens and Animal Farm

Rimac Automobili officially unveiled the designs of its upcoming state-of-the-art campus in Croatia including an on-site test track, museum and accommodation.

Rimac has grown to a global technology powerhouse in just a decade and is now looking forward to bringing people together in one place as the world transitions to an electric future. The complex is engineered and designed by Croatian architects, 3LHD and will be the international production base and R&D for creating prototypes and producing smaller volume projects to high-volume production of its battery system and high-performance electric drivetrain for car companies globally.

The company occupies a site of 200,000m2 and 100,000m2 built area and is located a few kilometers from Rimac’s current home. 3LHD has designed international projects including Riva Waterfront in Split and Hotel LN Garden in Guangzhou in China. The designers have collected inspiration from multiple sources including the curves and movements of the new Rimac flagship, the C_Two.

The complex will contain clever and unique features including urban swamp and meadows, rooftop garden and an on-site accommodation rather than traditional hotel style. A customization showroom, a museum with a bar and merchandise shop will also be available at the complex for customers to preview and experience. There is also a gym, game room, training centre, restaurant, kindergarten and an animal farm constructed and available for the employees wellbeing and learning.

Parking spaces for both employees and the public will be available as well as an auditorium, conference hall and an education room. The complex will be able to accommodate approximately 2,500 employees and substantial facilities for production. The site has been divided into two areas, HQ building and Greyp’s offices.

The production plant at the rear of the complex will house machining, components and vehicle assembly, battery production, composites production and paint shop. Rimac campus is one of the largest buildings in Europe, the investment for the construction will exceed 200 million euros and construction will start in 2021 and will be completed in 2023.

Rimac HQ Croatia

April 12, 2021 / Comments Off

295

Rimac C_Two wind tunnel test shows a 34% improvement on aerodynamic efficiency

It has been three years since Rimac unveiled their electric hypercar, still known as the Rimac C_Two concept, and at the moment we still haven’t seen any deliveries, or even plans for a customer car yet, we’re still in the prototype stage. But things are shaping up, and Rimac has been continuously tweaking the C_Two, making it better, and more importantly, more aerodynamic.

During recent wind tunnel testing of the third generation of the C_Two prototypes, they managed an impressive 34% improvement of aerodynamic efficiency compared to the initial prototype from 2018. As this is a fully electric hypercar, aerodynamic efficiency is extremely important, not only to offer the best possible performance figures in terms of acceleration and top speed but also in terms of range … the less drag directly converts into more range from the batteries.

Rimac has been doing simulations over the last three years too, but CFD simulations only go so far, even when each simulation model holds between 120 to 180 million elements on heat transfer … only real-time testing shows the results, either expected or unexpected, but engineers can learn a lot from wind tunnel testing, or actual track testing.

Let’s not forget the Rimac C_Two comes with active aero parts, the front splitter is adjustable, there are moveable flaps on the undertray of this car, while an adaptable air brake rear wing completes the setup for pure performance.

If you are looking to add your name to the order list for the Rimac C_Two, prepare to have about $ 2,000,000 ready, as mentioned in our earlier article.

January 30, 2021 / Comments Off

450

The Rimac C_Two could be yours for about $2 million

Introduced at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, the Rimac C_Two, also referred to as the Concept Two, boasted some really impressive figures: 1,914 hp with a top speed of 412 km/h (258 mph). Rimac calls it the new breed of hypercar, with acceleration figures of 1.85 seconds to reach 60 mph from standstill, this might be the closest thing to launching a jet fighter from an aircraft carrier on the road.

Using butterfly doors Rimac avoids having wide sills, getting into the C_Two, which will not be the name used for the production version, is made a lot easier by a cut out in the roof too, this might be a very practical ultra-high-performance car when customers finally receive their cars.

And this is where things get complicated it seems, some sources state the limited production run of 150 units sold out quickly, but Rimac’s CEO and founder Mate Rimac recently put an interesting post on is social media. It seems only the first year of production is actually sold, not all 150 cars, and furthermore, most of the cars that are on the books will go to dealers, not customers.

Mate Rimac clarifies that while many people are extremely interested in this fully electric hypercar, not many are willing to commit to the $2,000,000 price that has been mentioned, before being able to actually test drive the car. That’s right, there isn’t a Rimac C_Two available at this time, a few hand-built prototypes are finished and have been going through intensive testing … but there isn’t a single car ready for possible customers to touch, feel, and drive.

And this is where according the Mate Rimac the big issue comes from, and anybody who wants to put a Rimac C_Two in his garage is still able to get his name into the order book, probably even on the pages for the first year of production, so don’t worry, it isn’t too late … yet.

January 24, 2021 / Comments Off

434

Rimac CEO rules out SUVs, says brand will stay focused on supercars

It sometimes seems as if the entire automotive world is consigned to a future of nothing but high-riding sport utility vehicles, even among brands known for high-end sports cars. Porsche long ago gave into the craze with the Cayenne, Lamborghini has given us the Urus, we just saw Aston Martin unveil the DBX, and Ferrari has its own plans for a lifted performance family hauler. But Croatian electric vehicle maker Rimac Automobili is signaling that it’s not going down that road.

CEO and founder Mate Rimac spoke with Top Gear about plans for future models, telling the site, “We ourselves? No. We will not do a performance SUV. For sure.” He told the site he understood why automakers like Aston give in to the SUV craze, but insists Rimac will remain focused on two-seat supercars with innovative features in areas of aerodynamics and weight. “But I don’t want to make SUVs or stuff like that,” he added for good measure.

For now, Rimac has been working on homologating the C_Two, a limited-edition, 1,914-horsepower battery-electric supercar that it unveiled in 2018 in Geneva. It’s powered by four electric motors that draw from a 120-kilowatt-hour battery pack, boasts a range of 404 miles on the generous NEDC cycle, a top speed of 258 mph and adds 1,969 pound-feet of torque to the mix.

Production is set to start next year, capped at 150 examples, which have long been sold out at a base price of around $2.1 million. We’ll reportedly see the production version in March at the Geneva Motor Show.

November 30, 2019 / Comments Off

546

The Pininfarina Battista Will Come to Goodwood

The Car Will Appear at the Next Members’ Meeting

Pininfarina will bring the new Battista hypercar and a 1955 Lancia Aurelia to a Goodwood members’ meeting, according to Carscoops. The two cars have nothing in common but the fact that they were both designed by Pininfarina. It will be an interesting pairing to see the cars together, though. It will also mark the Battista’s UK debut.

The event showcasing the Battista will be attended by some of Goodwood’s most famous names, including Formula E driver Nick Heidfeld. Heidfeld was the man behind tuning the Battista. He also holds the fastest time up the famous hill climb. Rene Wollmann who worked on the Mercedes-AMG One will be there as well as many other big names.

Unfortunately, the car will only be on static display. It won’t make a run of the famous course and everyone will have to wait to see it in action. That’s a shame because the Battista is an amazing force to be reckoned with. The car uses a Rimac-sourced battery and four electric motors that put out a combined 1874 hp and 1696 lb-ft of torque. It can reach 62 mph from a standstill in under two seconds and 186 mph in under 12. With stats like that, we’re absolutely dying to see it take on a track.

March 27, 2019 / Comments Off

602

Rimac C_Two California Edition gets drunk on its power at Monterey Car Week

The Rimac C_Two made landfall in the United States last week, popping in for a guest appearance at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. It left the building at the close of business on August 19, but electric supercar supporters will get a chance to see it again during Monterey Car Week. Going the extra EV mile, instead of merely shipping the silver Geneva Motor Show reveal model to various viewings on the West Coast, Rimac created a vogue California Edition to rejoice in the “vibrant atmosphere” of the imminent week-long automotive celebration.

The “captivating color” goes with a name in Rimac’s press release, but we’d call it Grabber Blue if that weren’t already taken. A new wheel design gets center caps in the same hue. Rimac plans to host private events in the lead-up to the big weekend, and attendees will want to hang out around the California Edition’s trunk: Rimac tailored the cargo hold to fit two six-liter champagne bottles, and crystal flutes. Our only question is how many flutes Rimac thinks one would need for the equivalent of 16 traditional bottles of champagne.

Rimac’s trip to Monterey seems like a brand enjoying its own success and making new friends, since it doesn’t have a car to sell at the moment. The C_Two, which costs $2.1 million and will be limited to 150 units, sold out three weeks after its Geneva launch. Buyers who managed to make the list will get a coupe using a 120-kWh to power four electric motors worthy of 1,888 horsepower and 1,696 pound-feet of torque. Getting from zero to 60 miles per hour takes 1.85 seconds, practically teleportation, while 100 mph comes in 4.3 seconds on the way to a top speed of 258 miles per hour. The 404 miles of claimed range comes on the European cycle, but that should still convert to plenty of U.S. range to get to the corner office, the club, the heliport and back. Private preview invitees will get a chance to make sure they don’t miss out on the next Rimac offering.

At the end of the week, the California Edition C_Two will go on show at The Quail — A Motorsport Gathering on Friday, then at Exotics on Cannery Row the following day.

Related Video:

August 20, 2018 / Comments Off

655

Mahindra’s Automobili Pininfarina now officially a standalone EV brand

We first got word last month, and how we have the official announcement: Indian automaker Mahindra has launched Automobili Pininfarina as a new standalone sustainable luxury vehicle brand, with plans for a new electric hypercar in 2020.

The company will be a client of Italian design house Pininfarina SpA, known for its work with Ferrari and more recently for designing battery-electric concept vehicles for Hong Kong-based Hybrid Kinetic Group. Mahindra acquired a controlling stake in Pininfarina in 2015. It will be led by Michael Perschke, a 25-year auto industry veteran who was formerly managing director of Audi in India and a member of the management board of Volkswagen Group Sales India. Automobili Pininfarina will be based in Rome.

First up will be an electric car flagship that will go from 0-62 mph in less than 2 seconds and have a range of more than 300 miles, according to Automotive News Europe. Codenamed PF-Zero, its price will approach €2 million (U.S. $2.5 million). Mahindra says the new brand will borrow from its experience in the Formula E electric-car racing circuit.

Motor Authority reports the hypercar will also use technology developed by Rimac and that it will boast output of 1,500 horsepower, rivaling the Bugatti Chiron. It’ll be built in limited numbers, though future models, including SUVs and sedans, will be built in higher volumes.

Pininfarina most recently has been seen designing concept vehicles under the Hybrid Kinetic brand, most recently teasing the H500 sedan and K350 crossover ahead of their debuts in Beijing.

Separately, Pininfarina plans limited production of 12 units of its H2 Speed, its 653-horsepower hydrogen fuel cell track car that goes from 0-62 in 3.4 seconds, reportedly this year.

Related Video:

April 16, 2018 / Comments Off

729

Pininfarina becomes automaker brand, plans to launch electric lineup

A little while ago we wrote about ItalDesign’s Zerouno supercar, which is sold under the company’s own brand name. Another design house, Pininfarina, will also become a carmaker brand, as it prepares to launch a hypercar with Mahindra investments backing it up.

Pininfarina’s approach matches the plan mapped out by so many specialty carmakers: There will be a hypercar to bring in fame, and the fortune part will be covered by SUVs introduced underneath the halo vehicle. The difference is that they will all be electric.

Autocar says Pininfarina’s electric hypercar, codenamed PF-Zero, will be based on a modular platform developed together with Croatian manufacturer Rimac and Mahindra’s Formula E outfit. It’s directly aimed at the Bugatti Chiron, only with electric power instead of an internal combustion engine, and the power output is targeted beyond the Chiron’s 1,479 horsepower.

The SUVs will also be powerful, as the Urus-rivaling PF-One could get 940 hp. Two smaller crossovers to be introduced would have less power, but still enough to challenge the benchmarked Porsche Cayenne and Macan.

Autocar‘s information predicts the PF-Zero to be launched in 2020, and that the plans will be officially announced in a month. Mahindra is investing over $500 million into the Pininfarina lineup, with the four vehicles introduced over a span of five years.

At Geneva, Pininfarina displayed its H2 Speed hydrogen fuel cell supercar with 653 horsepower (pictured). Thirteen examples will be built, for track use only.

Related Video:

March 21, 2018 / Comments Off

663

Rimac C_Two Electric GT Hypercar

The makers of the world’s first electric sports car are back with a second version and, as expected, the Rimac C_Two Electric GT Hypercar is a stunner with serious muscle.

1,914 horses under the hood and a motor torque of 2.300 Nm make for an insane 0-60 time of 1.85 seconds and a top speed of 258 mph. As capable on the race track as it is crossing continents, the grand touring C_Two has a range of 400 miles on a single charge and, of course, is fitted with semi-autonomous driving.

That’s all we know so far. Oh, and also that Rimac will build 150 of these babies, to be available in 2020. Judging from the past, we’re pretty sure all examples will sell out long before they leave the factory.

Learn More From Rimac $TBA

March 12, 2018 / Comments Off

803

Rimac Concept Two Reveal

Another reveal in Geneva Motor Show is the updated iteration of Rimac’s ‘Tesla-Slayer’, called the Concept Two. Still powered by four electric motors per wheel, it will make 1,888 horsepower and 1,696 lb/ft of torque. It almost has a 1:1 ratio of torque to horsepower, which is a tall feat to achieve. Just ask the Koenigsegg team with their 1:one concept.

With a full-electric setup, the Concept Two can provide 404 miles of driving range, through their 120-kWh battery pack. This sports coupe can reach 0-60mph in 1.85 seconds. That’s right; less than 2(!) seconds. That’s absurd and very promising for what the future holds for automobiles!

The neat part is that there are multiple gearboxes controlling the four electric motors to keep all four wheels producing power at the helm. That’s next-level technology, for you. On top of that, it has an active rear wing, which is also the air brake.

This is a new car, with no parts shared from the Concept One and they’re out to be the best electric car company around.

The Rimac still looks dashing, both inside and out and has active aerodynamics to keep most of us planted. Rimac is slated to produce limited examples of the Concept Two, so if something caught your eye, better put your deposit down: it’s expected to cost over $1 million.

March 7, 2018 / Comments Off

663

McLaren’s electric supercars are not quite there yet

While Rimac is all about electric supercars and has just revealed its outrageous-sounding 1,914-horsepower C_Two car at the Geneva Motor Show, McLaren is cautious about producing an EV quite yet. Hybrids are far more suitable for McLaren’s immediate need than launching a full electric vehicle, says McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt.

In an interview with Autocar, Flewitt says McLaren’s electric portfolio is still very much in development, and that one in two McLarens sold in 2022 is to be a hybrid. But it wouldn’t be right for the brand to launch a half-baked, full-electric supercar, and McLaren’s standard is that any EV would have to offer performance equal to its existing cars. “It’s a challenge for us to produce the same engagement as with the P1, the Senna and the 675 LT,” says Flewitt.

Earlier, he has stated that for an electric supercar to match the P1’s performance, it would have to weigh two tons.

EV development, however, is still on track, and McLaren has “an electric mule running around.” For the company, getting the desired electric performance in a production-viable package is still at least five years away, Flewitt says. “It’s not in [the Track22 plan] because we don’t have an answer yet.”

McLaren is a lot more positive about hybrids. Flewitt says hybrid tech is a lot easier to integrate into a powertrain design, making it integral instead of bolt-on. As he said a month ago: “Hybrid design is part of the next platform. It is designed-in from day one rather than having to adapt an existing chassis.”

Related Video:

March 7, 2018 / Comments Off

735

Rimac C_Two electric hypercar debuts at almost 2,000 horsepower

Rimac Automobili made a name for itself with the Concept_One electric hypercar (and garnered even more attention when Richard Hammond drove one off the side of a hill). Ahead of the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, Rimac began teasing its next-generation EV hypercar. Now, the Rimac C_Two, as it is called, has it has arrived in all its electric glory.

It’s powered by four electric motors providing a total of 1,914 horsepower and 1,696 pound-feet of torque. That’ll push it from 0-60 miles per hour in just 1.85 seconds, and to a top speed of 258 mph. It’ll do a quarter-mile in 9.1 seconds. If that seems extreme (and it is) be comforted by the fact that only 150 examples of this electric beast will be unleashed upon the world.

When not driving it as hard as one possibly can, its liquid-cooled 120-kWh battery pack provides about 404 miles of driving range — granted that’s on the generous NEDC cycle. It’s capable of 250-kW charging which can resupply up to 80 percent of its driving range in under 30 minutes. The C_Two has active aerodynamics, including front and rear diffusers, hood flaps, rear wing, and underbody inlets and outlets. These can be adjusted to provide more efficiency and cooling, or to sacrifice some slipperiness for downforce. It’s torque vectoring system also helps with stability.

The C_Two has a suite of sensors designed for eventual Level 4 autonomous driving. It’s equipped with eight cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors, one or two lidar and six radar units. These generate eight terabytes of data every hour. Of course, that full automation will come later, though we don’t imagine customers will be super impatient to have the car take over the driving duties. Until then, the C_Two offers driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.

Under that beautiful exterior is a carbon fiber monocoque with structural battery pack. The C_Two has a carbon fiber rear subframe and front and rear aluminum crash structures. Mate Rimac said that, in the name of safety, “we are going to crash many of these beautiful cars.” Mate Rimac will also personally test drive each car before they are delivered to customers to make sure they’re up to his standards. Sounds like a dull job.

The butterfly doors provide a large opening to a spacious interior for two. It’s meant as a grand touring car, said Rimac. It has three screens to provide as much or as little information the driver and passenger want to see. Its rear trunk it customizable, or can be eschewed in order to put the electric powertrain on display.

Related Video:

March 6, 2018 / Comments Off

664

Rimac Concept Two packing a 120-kWh battery and Level 4 autonomy

Autocar reports that Rimac, the Croatian electric hypercar maker, has moved the goalposts for its coming Concept Two. Apparently, after hearing Tesla CEO Elon Musk quote specs for the 2020 Tesla Roadster of 0-60 miles per hour in 1.9 seconds and a 250-mph top speed, Rimac went back to its electric cauldron so it could add more Eye of Newt to the Concept Two. However, we didn’t know the Rimac’s claimed performance specs previously, and Autocar didn’t mention how far Rimac had pushed them.

What we do know is that the Concept Two will get a 120-kWh battery. That’s a fair bit less than the 200-kWh battery in the coming Tesla Roadster, but a healthy leap beyond the 82-kWh battery in Concept One. The Concept One, with two electric motors at the front axle pumping a combined 671 horsepower, plus two electric motors at the rear good for 804 hp, could do 0-60 in 2.5 seconds, had a claimed top speed of 221 mph, and lasted 205 miles on a charge. The Concept Two should beat all of those numbers handily, as promised, but we’re guessing it will still be a few tenths behind the Tesla.

The other treat coming in the necktie-inspired coupe is Level 4 Autonomy. The SAE describes Level 4 as “High Automation,” different than the “Full Automation” of Level 5. In Level 4, the vehicle is designed to drive itself and not need any human intervention because the vehicle provides its own emergency fallbacks, but only in specific driving scenarios. Think of Level 4 as part-time Level 5. It’ll be neat to see how Rimac pulls that off, though – or where the Concept Two is programmed to allow Level 4 driving – since no other carmaker offers Level 4 autonomy yet. They could mean, a la Tesla, they’re installing the software that will make the Concept Two capable of Level 4 autonomy one day. We’ll find out at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

Related Video:

February 11, 2018 / Comments Off

549

The Rise of the Electric Supercar: Today’s Benchmark Electric Supercars

A few years ago car enthusiasts looked at the absurdly styled electric cars manufacturers were pumping off the assembly line and laughed. Fast-forward to the present and we’re now seeing what was once a hysteric destroy our beloved gas-powered supercars on the track.

Technological advances have allowed electric cars to become some of the worlds fastest machines. Complete with incredible track times and impeccable interiors, these cars truly have it all.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here; not all electric supercars can climb to 60 mph in 1.9 seconds like the new Tesla Roadster, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to be given credit where credit is due.

A Brief History of the Electric Automobile

Edison Electric Car — Source: Wiki Commons

Electric cars have been around since the mid-19th century. However, their high cost, low top speed, and extremely short-ranged batteries sparked a loss in interest.

From the late-40s to the early 70s, gas engines were creating big power, entrenching themselves as the cultural icons that they have since become.

It wasn’t until the energy crises of the 1960s and 1970s that a revival of interest in the electric automobile was seen.

The Rebirth of Electric Cars

In 1970, all states were required to take control of their air quality and meet specific standards under the Clean Air Act. Along with it, the OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) Oil Embargo of 1973 helped generate more interest in electric cars as gasoline prices skyrocketed.

Later on in 1976, Congress took control and passed the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act. This allowed the Energy Department to support research and development in these types of vehicles.

Unfortunately, the technology at the time just wasn’t sufficient to make these cars practical and reliable. Instead, their gas-powered counterparts remained the dominant force in the market

By the 1990s, emissions regulations once again urged automakers to revisit the concept of electric vehicles. From there, technological advances and environmental awareness in the early 21st century surged a demand for alternatively powered vehicles, paving a pathway for electric vehicles to once again enter the market.

The World As It Is Today

As 2018 marches on, the world is a very different place than it was in the 70’s and 90’s. Today, electric cars aren’t just competitive, but their becoming downright common. Thanks to Tesla, which led the charge of the acceptable electric car in the early 2000’s, electric vehicles are gaining prominent ground in the marketplace.

Today, every major manufacturer has an electric vehicle… or one in development. Fantastic!

So, with that in mind, we thought we’d discuss two all-electric supercars that you may well find tearing up the pavement!

The Tesla Roadster

The fastest production car (0-60 mph) ever made. Period.

When Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, promised a surprise during the Tesla Semi Unveiling Event, the world was not ready for what he had planned. Capable of reaching 100 mph in just 4.2 seconds, this electric supercar is capable of completing a quarter mile in as little as 8.9 seconds.

If your jaw hasn’t yet hit the floor, Musk has hinted that the top speed will be above 250 mph. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Roadster is capable of shattering the Agera RS world record top speed of 277.9 mph.

After all, this car does come packed with 7355 ft lbs of torque. Yes, you read that right.

What’s Under the Hood

A single 200 kWh battery pack supposedly will provide the Roadster with a 620-mile range per charge. If this is true, this electric supercar will shatter another world record in regards to distance per charge. Three powerful motors, one in the front and two in the rear, give the Roadster its power, along with all-wheel drive and torque steering.

Get in Line

Don’t get too excited tough, the Roadster isn’t scheduled to start production until 2020. However, if you’ve got some cash burning a hole in your pocket, put your money where your mouth is as you can now reserve one for $50,000.

Rimac Concept_One

You’ve likely seen it all over this site: the silver bullet who squashed the Porsche 918 by at least 2 car lengths on a drag race. Although not as fast as the Roadster is said to be, the Concept_One is still a flagship of performance electric supercars.

An engine that forces out 1224 hp and 1181 ft lbs of torque allows this car to reach 60 mph in just 2.4 seconds, topping out at just over 220 mph. Everything is powered by a single 90kWh battery pack that is capable of taking you up to 350 km.

Exterior & Interior

Although its performance numbers are quite impressive, the looks and features of the Concept_One are where it truly shines. The entire bodywork has been precisely designed to provide maximum aerodynamics, as well as elegant and emotional lines that leave innocent bystanders speechless.

Once you sit in the Concept_One, you’ll never want to get out. The seats position drivers close to the center of gravity while at the same time hugging the body to provide maximum comfort. A seamless, spectacular display integrates today’s latest technology to truly provide the driver with a unique experience.

Getting Your Hands on One

Unfortunately, the Concept_One is not an easy vehicle to get ahold of. Aside from needing to have a million dollars to spend, Rimac is said to only be manufacturing 8 units of the Concept_One a year. That’s pretty reasonable in my opinion, considering how majority of the car is hand-crafted to perfection.

Is it Really a Supercar Without The Roar?

Technically, yes.

Don’t get me wrong, the Concept_One and the Tesla Roadster are two of the best electric supercars on the market today. But these cars, along with the others, all have one common problem – the roar of the engine (or lack thereof).

What makes a supercar so thrilling? Most would say its a combination of the head-turning looks, unnecessary amounts of power, and the mean, aggressive engine noise. So what happens when you take away one of those factors? Does the car become less attractive to the buyer?

In my opinion, yes. If I’m driving a car thats pushing over 1200 hp, I want it to sound like it. I’d much rather hear the engine rumble and rattle windows as opposed to listening to the wind and tire noise as I tear up and down the streets.

To me, this is a huge drawback to an electric supercar. There’s almost something addicting about the aggressive, angry noise of a gas-powered supercar that an electric one just won’t be able to provide me.

Perhaps in the future automakers will find a way to accurately simulate it, but until then, countless others and myself will be out of luck.

January 1, 2018 / Comments Off

719

Hillclimb organizers fined $5,000 for Richard Hammond’s Rimac hypercar crash

Organizers of a Swiss hillclimb event have been fined and suspended over the crash in which Richard Hammond lost control of a Rimac Concept One in a curve. The $5,000 fine is a drop in the bucket compared to the loss of the $1 million electric hypercar, which was incinerated.

The Rimac left the mountain road, cartwheeling down a steep incline and narrowly missing a house before landing on its roof and burning. Hammond crawled from the wreckage and suffered a fractured knee.

Hammond was not a participant in the Swiss Hillclimb Championship. He and his co-hosts of Amazon’s “The Grand Tour” were there filming a segment. Jeremy Clarkson was driving a Lamborghini Aventador S, and James May was driving a Honda NSX. Clarkson said on Twitter that Hammond’s Rimac accident “was the biggest crash I’ve ever seen and the most frightening.”

From the video, it appears that Hammond entered the curve too hot on the Hemberg Bergrennen hillclimb, and simply lost control. He later did a video interview that gave his take on the crash. The Swiss sporting authority, Auto Sport Schweiz, in levying the fine, said the event had violated the FIA’s code of conduct. It’s a little unclear exactly wha’s meant by that, but the FIA had started looking into the crash immediately after it happened back in June, basically on the grounds that it made racing look bad.

“This accident tainted the reputation of motorsports in general and mountain races in particular, and the FIA has been forced to demand an opinion from [us],” Auto Sport Schweiz said in a statement at the time.

In addition to the fine, the hillclimb director and three stewards were suspended for six months. Motorsport.com says the future of the event is in question. Surely we’ll learn more about the circumstances of the crash when “The Grand Tour” second season begins in October.

Related Video:

August 15, 2017 / Comments Off

778

Richard Hammond and Mate Rimac dish on the hillclimb crash

The internet has been all atwitter – sometimes literally – about Richard Hammond’s crash in a Rimac supercar, wondering what happened, and what comes next. Well, in this video from Drivetribe, Hammond himself, along with Rimac‘s CEO, Mate Rimac, try to put everything to bed.

It’s a lengthy video, and you’ll have to hop to the Drivetribe website to check it out, but it’s worth a look. Hammond gives the whole story about the crash from the very start, through the actual crashing, and through his recovery. As we surmised, he simply overcooked it at the end of his run, which unfortunately led to the crash.

It could have been worse, though. Hammond and Rimac look over photos of the crash that show the TV host narrowly avoided a house on the way down the hill. And according to Hammond, his daughter was not terribly impressed by his injuries, saying “Daddy you look like you’ve fallen over in the playground.”

Despite the crash, Hammond still had positive things to say about the car. He described it as feeling futuristic, and that it makes some great noises. He also praised the strength of the roof structure, which is likely not something other reviewers will have a chance to evaluate.

The video covers other topics, too. Rimac talks about his car and the company, and he states that he hopes the company will become a mass supplier of electric vehicle components. Hammond reveals he morbidly predicted his crash, and he tackles the question of starting a cooking show.

Related Video:

June 28, 2017 / Comments Off

601

Video shows point of impact in Richard Hammond’s Rimac crash

Following Richard Hammond’s scary crash in a Rimac Concept One, more and more details have been coming out concerning the crash. In particular, video was released on various YouTube channels, including the one above from Nature Pictures, showing just how and where things went wrong. Watching the video, you’ll notice that Hammond comes it pretty darn hot into a tight corner overlooking a hill. There’s a slight kink right before turning hard left, and as Hammond turns slightly right, you can see the tail of the car kick out a bit. He steers back left hard and gets on the brakes, but doesn’t have traction, so he hits the guard rail. From there, the car goes down the hill.

Mate Rimac, founder of the eponymous Croatian electric sports car company, spoke to Croatian car news site Vidi Auto, and told them that the car traveled about 1,000 feet horizontally and a bit over 300 feet vertically from point of impact. He said he didn’t know what speed Hammond was going when the car wrecked.

What we gather from the video and other information surrounding the crash is that the car wasn’t really at fault. It appears that Hammond got a little out of his element and couldn’t get control of the car back in time to avoid an accident. It also happened in a location where going off was significantly worse than if the course was a flat racetrack with plenty of run-off. This isn’t a condemnation of Hammond’s driving skills either, as anyone could have just as easily wrecked in the same way. These are simply the risks that come with driving a fast car on a tight course with elevation. Mistakes happen, and those mistakes sometimes lead to dangerous consequences. Fortunately, everyone involved seems to have come out all right.

Related Video:

June 19, 2017 / Comments Off

665