Croatia-based Rimac Automobili has announced that it will give a world premier to the production version of its Concept_One supercar at the Geneva Motor Show next week. After five years spent in development, the all-electric model will be launched with performance figures to worry the likes of Ferrari and McLaren.
Powered by four electric motors – one for each wheel and located in the centre of both axles – the Concept_One is based on a specially designed, lightweight platform. The combined output is rated at 800 kW (1,088hp), with 1,600 Nm (1,180 lb ft) of torque.
To put that into perspective, that’s almost exactly the same power and 350 Nm higher torque than the famous Bugtti Veyron. The big difference though is that, whereas the Veyron had emissions of 596 g/km CO2, the Concept_One emits nothing.
All that power is controlled via the company’s R-AWTV (Rimac All Wheel Torque Vectoring) system which, along with the vast majority of components, has been designed and developed in-house. The R-AWTV can distribute power to whichever wheel has the most grip.
It also serves as a traction control device, electronic stability control system, and “electric ABS” that can regenerate up to 400 kW under braking from all four wheels, working with the car’s carbon-ceramic brakes. Driving styles can be changed through the R-AWTV, with either understeer, a neutral balance, or oversteer able to be chosen depending on the conditions.Most importantly for fans of speed though, the system enables the Concept_One to accelerate from 0-62mph in just 2.6 seconds, to 124mph in 6.2 seconds and 186mph in 14.2 seconds – again, the last two figures are quicker than the Bugatti. Top speed is 220mph.
The car’s 82 kWh battery is designed to deliver 1000 kW (1MW) of power, and to absorb 400 kW under braking. Composed of 8,450 cells, the pack has a liquid thermal management system and an “acceptable range”. There’s a 22 kW on-board charger fitted and it can deal with DC-Combo charging up to 120 kW.
Prices haven’t been revealed and the company will build a limited run of just eight units to start with.
