Koenigsegg
Quant Concept
The
electric-powered Koenigsegg Quant might only be a static model, but the
four-seat supercar points to a green-themed future for the Swedish supercar
manufacturer. Founded in 1994 by Christian von Koenigsegg, the company has
built its business model on traditional ultra fast sports cars like the CCX and
CCR. Long and low, with power delivered by twin-supercharged V-8 engines,
Koenigseggs are not what you’d normally consider champions of the environment.
This
is why the Quant is such a departure for the company—although it is one of many
hybrid or electric performance vehicles on display here at the Geneva auto
show. Developed in cooperation with NLV Solar, the rear-wheel-drive Quant is
powered by two alternating-current-induction electric motors. Together, the
motors deliver the equivalent of 512 hp and 527 lb-ft of torque. Using advanced
recharging technology called FAES (Flow Accumulator Energy Storage), the Quant
can be juiced up and back on the road in as little as 20 minutes, the company
says.
A
lightweight carbon-fiber chassis is employed, which if produced will keep the
Quant’s weight under two tons (not bad, considering all the high-tech electric
hardware underneath the carbon-fiber and aluminum skin). In fact, the entire
body of the car—windows included—is covered in a thin-film solar-cell coating
that helps feed power to the electric motors. This, along with regenerative
braking, contributes to the Quant’s estimated range of 311 miles per charge.
The
car is strictly a concept—for the moment. Despite performance estimates that
include a top speed of 171 mph and the ability to hit 62 mph in 5.2 seconds,
the Quant on display in Geneva is only a model. There is no interior, and
Koenigsegg representatives we spoke to confirm that the project remains in the
R&D phase.
Source
: caranddriver
