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Electric sportscar will hit 60mph in 2.9 seconds

06 June, 2011

A South Korean company is developing an electric sportscar that is designed to accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 2.9 seconds. Leo Motors’ LZ-1 car, due to make its debut before the end of 2011, will have a top speed of 161 mph (260 km/h) and a range of 249 miles (400 km) on a fully charged battery.

The car, which Leo has been developing since 2006, has been designed to out-perform the Tesla electric sportscar. The Tesla’s 215kW motor delivers a maximum torque of 40kg-m and has a top speed of 125 mph (200 km/h). The LZ-1 will have a 240kW motor delivering up to 68kg-m of torque and capable of a top speed of 161 mph (260 km/h). 

“Our goal is to make the new electric super car drive 0–60 miles per hour from the start within 2.9 seconds,” says Leo’s CEO, John Lee. “If the goal is achieved, Leo’s new supercar would be the fastest among EVs, including Tesla.”

The car will have a rigid body covered by carbon fibre and aluminium alloy. Its technologies are protected by 56 granted or pending patents. The newly-developed electric power train is claimed to accelerate faster than previous EVs and to pass other cars even on long uphill stretches.

Leo has completed the development of rolling chassis and is working with two former Ford designers on the styling. The company is also developing a plug-in hybrid version (called the LZ-1H), which will use a mixture of hydrogen and LPG to fuel an onboard generator that will power the drivetrain. Most other hybrid vehicles use petrol to fuel their generators. Leo predicts that its hybrid will cover 560 miles (900 km) per fuelling

Seoul-based Leo Motors Leo has already developed other EV drivetrains and has converted existing internal-combustion-engined vehicles into EVs, including scooters, motorcycles, sedans, buses and trucks. It has also developed a zinc-air fuel cell generator which frees EVs from range limitations, while avoiding emissions.




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