Ariel Motor Company, the UK-based manufacturer of ultra-lightweight road, track, and off-road vehicles including the famous Atom, has unveiled the E-Nomad concept – a fully-electric version of its on/off roader sportscar.
Based on the Ariel Nomad 2, the new model is powered by a 41kWh 450-volt battery that feeds power to a rear integrated motor, gearbox, and inverter unit producing a maximum power output of 210kW.
Delivered through a single speed gearbox, this power, along with 490Nm of torque, enables the rear-wheel drive car to match its internal combustion engine (ICE) sibling. The e-Nomad can hit 60mph (96.5km/h) in 3.4 seconds and, the company says, it retains the Nomad’s all-terrain high-performance capabilities. The E-Nomad weighs in at 896kg, features all-new natural fibre bio-composite bodywork that is recyclable and has a range of up to 240km.
The 450-volt E-Nomad battery pack was developed specifically for the car by Rockfort Engineering. Weighing under 300kg, the battery unit features integrated cooling and heating systems to extend battery life, and there’s a split-circuit radiator providing independent cooling to the battery. A 5kW internal high-voltage heater can also pre-warm the battery in cold conditions to establish and maintain the most efficient working temperature.
The single battery pack is capable of AC (Type 2) and DC (CCS2) fast charging. This enables the E-Nomad to be charged at home on a normal domestic supply, or via a dedicated fast charger in under 25 minutes from 20 – 80 per cent.
The E-Nomad uses a Cascadia Motion IDM90 combined motor, gearbox, and DX inverter drive unit weighing 92kg. The unit features a Borg Warner eDM motor spinning to 12,000rpm and single speed transmission with reduction gearing of 8.28:1. A limited slip differential and parking lock are also part of the E-Nomad specification. The drive unit is water cooled via a secondary system, independent of the battery, from the front mounted, split-circuit radiator.
The lightweight, aerodynamic bodywork is made from natural flax fibres. The material is made with northern European flax fibres. To give additional strength and further weight saving, the panels are backed by reinforcing ‘Power Ribs’ made from more bio-composite natural fibre. The company says the manufacture of the material represents a 73 per cent saving in CO2 when compared to carbon fibre and is 9 per cent lighter than the equivalent carbon material.
The E-Nomad is fitted with Ariel’s new ABS system with driver selectable on- and off-road modes and has regenerative braking that allows for allowing one-pedal driving. Two drive modes are available, ECO and Sport.
A central switch panel allows selection of drive, neutral, reverse, and park settings with secondary functions to activate battery heater, charge system and switch between driving modes. In addition to displaying speed and air temperature, the instrumentation incorporates EV specific data including battery and inverter information, powertrain temperatures; drive mode; and battery charge status.
Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (September 2024)
2 October 2024