Britain's answer to the Tesla
UK-based motorsport specialist creates an electric tearaway that boasts impressive performance figuresThis is the UK's answer to the trans-Atlantic Tesla electric-powered sportster, which was among the competitors at this year's Targa Tasmania.
Say hello to the battery-powered Delta E-4 Coupe, a high-performance offering conceived by Silverstone-based Delta Motorsport that can allegedly sprint from 0-100km/h in five seconds and travel up to 320km on a single charge.
Looking somewhat like a shooting-brake version of the Tesla, the E-4 is underpinned by a carbon-composite chassis, designed by Delta and manufactured by KS Composites.
According to Delta Motorsport, the chassis weighs just 85kg – two-thirds less than a comparable steel structure – despite being designed to pass EU crash tests.
The E-4's propulsion comes from high-performance direct-drive electric motors, designed in partnership with Oxford University, that are claimed to produce well over 600Nm of torque and over 120hp each while only weighing 23kg.
Delta Motorsport says the E-4's low, sporty seating position with the batteries mounted under the floor means that the car handles superbly, and its layout also allegedly contributes to a low aerodynamic drag figure.
Although the company hasn't as yet announced pricing or an on-sale date, the E-4 is scheduled to take part in the RAC Future Car Challenge on November 5. This UK-based event showcases the latest low-energy vehicles in a 96km trial from Brighton to London, with the challenge of using the least amount energy over the route.
Delta Motorsport has been around since 2005, and although motorsport is its core business, the company claims to have considerable experience in the mainstream automotive sectors as well as other high-performance engineering and clean technology projects.
Company founder Simon Dowson says: "We became involved with the design of hybrid and electric vehicles because they share many of the engineering challenges associated with motorsport – light weight parts, aerodynamic efficiency and innovative packaging solutions.
"We've had to re-think road cars from the beginning, looking at low-cost composite structures, system efficiencies and novel occupant packaging."
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