If you know what a T-Rex is, chances are you also know that it's quite a track beast; it clings to pavement like a fly on flypaper and slingshots to illegal speeds in 4 seconds.
Campagna will soon have a second model in its lineup, and it's called the Silence. The motorcycle engine has been replaced by an electric motor. It's not a hybrid powertrain setup, but a 100% electric, plug-in unit.
The family so far
The Silence is still in its development process, so output figures aren't yet finalized. There are three complete units: the first one, called the PT1, looks like a test mule. The acid batteries are bolted right ahead of the rear wheel, and it looks like a T-Rex with a beer gut.
The second Silence is the PT2 and it looks pretty much like any run-of-the-mill T-Rex. The lithium batteries are more compact than the ones on the PT1, and this model is said to produce over 100 kilowatts, or 135 horsepower. The PT2 is much quieter than the PT1, which further shows the progress that the company has done.
The latest version is the PT3 and is based on the topless T/R model from a couple of years back. Compared to the PT2, this one is quieter still, and accelerates more quickly; it also sports a slightly redesigned rear end that conceals the powertrain better.
The PT3 is painted in a chameleon-type color called "Is It Green?", which looks either blue or green depending on the light. Staffers amusingly talked about the email conversations when deciding what color to apply on the PT3: "Guys, make up your minds! Is it green or not?" Get it?
The performance
Of course, I asked how fast the Silence was even before I wiggled into it. As it turns out, my question was pretty irrelevant, as sheer speed isn't this vehicle's main objective. The big picture is that the Silence is planned initially for cruising down congested California roadways in style and without the need to stop for gasoline.
Down there, there are plenty of incentives for hybrid and electric vehicles, reserved parking spaces and highway lanes, and reduced electricity fees for recharging electric vehicles.
When the final T-Rex Silence specifications will be decided, we'll definitely bug the folks at Campagna again for another test and some real performance numbers. For now, The PT3 I drove felt like it accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h or 60 mph in about 10 seconds, which is not bad at all for an electric vehicle.
The PT2 and PT3 have automatic transmissions with reverse, while the PT1 has a sequential gearbox just like the regular T-Rex. Acceleration is said to be 30% better with the manual, and production versions of the Silence will probably get that transmission. In the PT3, the automatic is controlled by a simple rocker switch, but everyone was accidentally rubbing his leg against it, flicking the tranny back in neutral. The PT2's transmission selector is more conveniently located.
Once up to speed, you'll notice that the Silence still has the neck-snapping handling prowess that its gas-powered sister has. You'll feel the extra 500-plus pounds of the battery pack, but otherwise, the electric T-Rex is almost as fun on a track as the 1400R.
The range of the Silence is said to be around 130 to 200 km (80 to 125 miles), depending on how hard you drive. Using a 220-volt socket located right beside the right front wheel, the vehicle takes about 8 to 10 hours to fully charge. This means the average person can get to work and back every day.
A milestone
The PT2 Silence has recently been purchased by a woman named Sophia that we had the opportunity to meet. When she tried out the electric T-Rex, she immediately fell in love with it, and bought it. The PT2 will be delivered to her in November, making it the first Silence sold. Campagna also beats out many other electric vehicle companies that talk a lot about their product but have yet to deliver one.
With time, of course, the Silence will get quieter, more efficient, more powerful, and generally better. It might even adopt a different body shell than the T-Rex 1400R, as the company has a couple of designers proposing a new look. We'll see what results of that, but I think the company shouldn't mess with such a timeless design.
Conclusion
It will be interesting to see how the T-Rex Silence will evolve. But with a price that's projected to be only $5,000 more than a gas-powered T-Rex 1400R, its future looks promising.
Green
Drop-dead looks
Needs no gas
Interesting projected price
Yellow
Not as quick as a regular T-Rex
Red
None
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