| Make
|
Sunbeam |
| Model |
Tiger |
| Concept
year |
2009 |
| Production
year |
- |
| Engine |
electric
motor with lithium-titanate batteries |
The Sunbeam Tiger concept was conceived by Ryan Skelley
during his final year on Coventry University's Transportation
Design course.
The lightweight, strictly two seat design is intended
to act as a spiritual successor to the Sunbeam Tiger which
captured the land speed record in 1925.
Powering the Sunbeam Tiger concept is an electric drivetrain
which uses a lithium-titanate battery pack. Lithium-titanate
batteries have the advantage of requiring less time to
charge than lithium-ion batteries. With this proposed
powertrain Skelley envisages a theoretical 0-60 mph sprint
time of 2.3 seconds and an electronically limited 160
mph top speed. On a full charge, which would take around
4 hours with the optional 3-phase charger, the Sunbeam
Tiger concept would have a maximum range of 800 miles.
While these numbers may at first seem optimistic, the
Tiger concept has been designed for the year 2025 (to
coincide with the 100 year anniversary of the land speed
record), and with the current pace of innovation in the
field of batteries and motors performance such as this
is not that far away.
The proposed materials used in the construction of the
Sunbeam Tiger concept include a number of eco-friendly
and recycled components. The tubular chassis is formed
using recycled aluminium and features integrated roll
over protection for the occupants. The eco-painted body
panels are made from hemp-fibre and vegetable oil resin.
The interior features soy foam seats covered in natural
bio-fabric. Even the tires and brakes are made using green
materials - cornstarch for the tires and natural fibre
for the brake pads. |
|
