From FondTech
Industry-leading aerodynamic consultancy firm and wind tunnel laboratory FondTech can today unveil details of the world's first purpose-built all-electric powered single-seater racing car: the E-11.
The battery-powered racer is the result of three years design and development work carried out by renowned aerodynamicist Jean-Claude Migeot and his team at FondTech's Bologna headquarters in Italy. E-11 is also the first example of the company's Formula REV concept; its vision for a new all-electric racing formula.
The project can be traced back to early computer simulations carried out in 2009 before the project was officially signed off in May 2010. Since then CFD research has continued, a 60% scale model wind tunnel-developed and the chosen motor/gearbox assembly bench tested. Chassis manufacture has also begun ahead of the car's first track test in January 2012.
E-11 is intended to match the performance figures of current-specification Formula 3 cars over a 20-minute duration around any existing circuit in the world. It is the challenges posed by such figures, as well as the car's conception as the first ground-up electric single-seater, that has seen the E-11 depart from established design philosophy.
The team has taken an uncompromising approach to aerodynamics where ultra-low drag efficiency and mechanical grip are of paramount importance, while four wheel-drive has also been adopted as an essential feature to more than double the car's energy recovery capacity, which is vital to increase range.
As with any new racing car, safety has been a top priority from the outset of the E-11 project. Contemporary racing cars do not include numerous large, heavy batteries which could pose a substantial risk to drivers, marshals and spectators alike should they detach in an accident. FondTech's design caters for this by housing batteries deep inside its chassis, while the car will also be crash-tested to a weight-adjusted F3 standard.
FondTech hopes to see its E-11 race in the FIA's proposed Formula E series due to begin in 2013.
Industry-leading aerodynamic consultancy firm and wind tunnel laboratory FondTech can today unveil details of the world's first purpose-built all-electric powered single-seater racing car: the E-11.
The battery-powered racer is the result of three years design and development work carried out by renowned aerodynamicist Jean-Claude Migeot and his team at FondTech's Bologna headquarters in Italy. E-11 is also the first example of the company's Formula REV concept; its vision for a new all-electric racing formula.
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| (Photo: FondTech) |
The project can be traced back to early computer simulations carried out in 2009 before the project was officially signed off in May 2010. Since then CFD research has continued, a 60% scale model wind tunnel-developed and the chosen motor/gearbox assembly bench tested. Chassis manufacture has also begun ahead of the car's first track test in January 2012.
E-11 is intended to match the performance figures of current-specification Formula 3 cars over a 20-minute duration around any existing circuit in the world. It is the challenges posed by such figures, as well as the car's conception as the first ground-up electric single-seater, that has seen the E-11 depart from established design philosophy.
 |
| (Photo: FondTech) |
The team has taken an uncompromising approach to aerodynamics where ultra-low drag efficiency and mechanical grip are of paramount importance, while four wheel-drive has also been adopted as an essential feature to more than double the car's energy recovery capacity, which is vital to increase range.
 |
| (Photo: FondTech) |
As with any new racing car, safety has been a top priority from the outset of the E-11 project. Contemporary racing cars do not include numerous large, heavy batteries which could pose a substantial risk to drivers, marshals and spectators alike should they detach in an accident. FondTech's design caters for this by housing batteries deep inside its chassis, while the car will also be crash-tested to a weight-adjusted F3 standard.
FondTech hopes to see its E-11 race in the FIA's proposed Formula E series due to begin in 2013.