The Immortus is a vehicle that uses high-tech solar race car technology originally developed by the Melbourne-based EVX Ventures.
Based on existing solar race car technology originally founded by Australia’s Aurora Solar Car Team, the Immortus is a solar electric car designed to generate its own power through over 7 square meters of solar photovoltaic paneling – including on the wheels.
The Immortus is a quarter ton 40kW composite roadster designed to carry two people with room for hand luggage. Fully laden it can take its 5m (16’5”) by 2m (6’7”) body from 0-100km/hr (62miles/hour) in less than 7 seconds. It has a combined battery and solar range of over 550km (342 miles) at an average of 85km/h (53 mph) and a top speed of over 150 km/h (93 mph).
Depending on certain conditions, it can run on an unlimited range on solar alone at over 60 km/h. The advanced aerodynamics and chassis design allow to to feel and drive like a truly nimble and balanced sports car.
Other specifications include:
· Length 5 m
· Width 2.0 m
· Height 1.1 m
· Centre of Gravity Height 0.6 m
· Wheelbase 2.5 m
· Track 1.9 m
· Total panel area 7 m2
· Cell efficiency 22%
· Cell type Silicon
· Battery capacity 10 kWh
· Cell type Lithium
· Peak output 2 x 20 kW
· Nominal output 2 x 1.25 kW
· Motor Type two hub motors (in the rear wheels)
With such a light body it exhibits remarkable nimbleness and response to driver input. Driving the survivor is an experience different from all other driving experiences.
This difference is due to both the unique physical characteristics of the car and the complete independence that comes from never need to refuel.
EVX will be exhibiting a scaled down Immortus and related spinoff technologies at the 2015 SEMA Show 2015 in Las Vegas in November.
The company is being supported by the research and development team at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Victoria.
EVX says it has made significant progress without any government funding to date and is now seeking seed capital to build and commercialize the working road legal prototype. EVX also wants to bring its hybrid retrofit kit to market; which enables petrol cars and light trucks to be converted to plug-in hybrids.
“The kit can potentially cut fuel consumption by over 50 percent in certain driving conditions or be used to boost the acceleration of almost any road vehicle,” says EVX. “Or, in the full conversion, eliminate fuel use all together.”
[source: EVX Ventures]
