Shelby plans Tesla killer rollout for 2009

[IDemo]

The guys at Shelby Supercars know a thing or two about defying odds and breaking records. Back in September, the fledgling company's 1,183-HP Ultimate Aero jacked top-speed bragging rights from Bugatti's 16-Cylinder, $1.8 million Veyron. But the Aero's limited to just 50 examples, so the drawing board is particularly important to the West Richland, Washington-based manufacturer. Along with the 220 mph luxury sedan it's got in the pipeline, SSC has announced plans to build a top-speed, 100 percent green supercar.

Details are scarce, but SSC says an Ultimate Aero EV prototype will be ready by February and it plans to roll out four production models by December. The company describes the Tesla destroyer as a "pollution-free, engineering marvel with an exotic supercar exterior."

"I think we can do it faster, leaner and cleaner than any other manufacturer," says company founder Jerod Shelby.

We know that at least one 500-HP electric motor is planned. SSC is exploring a twin-motor configuration that would yield twice the power while still emitting zilch. Rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants also are on the table. Particularly interesting is the power source for the drive train, which is said to allow for extended time between charging. That seems logical and realistic enough, but SSC went on to mention the possibility of several years between charging. Needless to say, several industry pundits think SSC has gone mad. :shrug:

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/07/the-worlds-fa-1.html

[DS1]

1. Stupid. So what if it goes faster than the Tesla? It's totally impractical

That's the point they're missing. Supercars are such a rare breed, there's no real point developing green versions. Make a Shelbly Taurus, then I'll be interested.

once again, America = behind the curve

[Schema Thing]

2. demons and/or angels

[tinrobot]

3. It's good to push the technology.

These cars are just blips in the grand scheme of things, except that - by creating them, companies do push the limits of the technology.

These cars tend to pack a lot of power into a small space. That technology can be good for the average car. Perhaps by learning to charge the thing in under a year, he also can find ways to make commuter cars charge faster.

[madokie]

4. I think for a startup its good strategy to start with a high end auto

that will appeal to the have more crowd as they have the money that the company surely needs right now to further their research and manufacturing technics. I like seeing this even though I know I can never own one but my knowing that someone will is great.

[Nederland]

5. Excellent!

Nothing like a little competition to push the technological edge further and faster. Despite all the whiners around here about how these cars are way overpriced, this is the way things have to proceed. New technology always starts out as toys for the rich before they filter down to the masses...

[ElectricGrid]

7. Agreed.. if they have come up with a batter that needs to only

be charged once per year then that alone would revolutionize things.

[IDemo]

8. This is one claim I very highly doubt

Just assuming about a 10,000 mile/year usage rate and approximately the same electrical energy efficiency as a Tesla, this would require a battery system capable of around 2.8 MW Hrs, compared to Tesla's 56 kW Hr system, or 50 times as much. I'll believe that when I see it.

Tesla battery pack

[IDemo]

6. Just a note: this is not from the legendary Carol Shelby

but Jerod Shelby, unrelated. http://www.shelbysupercars.com/about.php

I did, however, see a very nicely done electric AC Cobra at the Green Expo a couple of months ago.