Geoffrey Carter (Buttercup) Posted September 7, 2014 Author Share Posted September 7, 2014 What an interesting read. Wonder if anyone will try batteries before long like the new BMW's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAFKARM Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 What an interesting read. Wonder if anyone will try batteries before long like the new BMW's Also already been done...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 The factory put a lot of time and money into developing a couple of electric projects. They were even due to take part in the still born electric racer race-series. The green all electric powered car they produced (now in private hands) is currently competing in the Speed Series. Not sure how far it got but there was also a sort of hybrid project; a Westfield with a petrol motor powering the rear wheels as normal, but with dual electric motors driving the front. At the point the work was being done, as ever, it seems to be the battery technology that was the biggest stumbling block. The cost was phenomenal, plus the size and weight are a real issue. This is the green electric car at Stoneleigh in 2011, look at the size of the main battery pack, (inside the large metal box where an engine would normally be) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yanto Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Don't forget the battery packs under the floor, protected as you can just see by what appears to be a skirt but is actually the side to a box, ground clearance is not good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dombanks Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 i thought that one of the draw backs to the diesel engine was their height being relatively tall? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Certainly seem to recall the VAG unit needing the bonnet cutting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darve Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Certainly seem to recall the VAG unit needing the bonnet cutting. BIIIIIIIIIG hole in the bonnet in smokey's link 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Hadn't clicked on the link, (otherwise I'd have ended up rereading it all! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark (smokey mow) Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 The factory put a lot of time and money into developing a couple of electric projects. They were even due to take part in the still born electric racer race-series. The green all electric powered car they produced (now in private hands) is currently competing in the Speed Series. Not sure how far it got but there was also a sort of hybrid project; a Westfield with a petrol motor powering the rear wheels as normal, but with dual electric motors driving the front. At the point the work was being done, as ever, it seems to be the battery technology that was the biggest stumbling block. The cost was phenomenal, plus the size and weight are a real issue. This is the green electric car at Stoneleigh in 2011, look at the size of the main battery pack, (inside the large metal box where an engine would normally be) O/T there are at least two other electric westfield's I've been aware of over the years in addition to that IRacer for the Now defunct EV Cup. There first (which again appears in the R&B book) was a prototype built around a 1990 SE, that had the motor conventionally mounted in the engine bay. The second I only became aware of recently because of a thread on locostbuilders which was the Westfield WISPER (Westfield In Structural Plastics Electric Roadster) http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=193585The hybrid was a project built with Warwick university and last I saw of that it was for sale on ebay earlier this year less it's hybrid system. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terryathome Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Diesels have come on leaps and bounds from the old smokey transits that needed a squirt of the old magic stuff. A modern one with a DSG gearbox would be quite a machine and seeing that we throw the odd V8 in a westy I can't see the weight being a problem. Low down torque and flicking it through the DSG box could see some quite quick 0 to 60 IMHO. How about the VW lump with 170bhp for starters, I did look into this LOL Now whos got a rolling westy they don't want? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfZUpLNJpMs Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Faulkner Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Ever heard of the saying.. "Just becaurse you can, doesn't mean you should". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terryathome Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 And another one is "Don't talk it to death, just do it" Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham0127 Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 What about " if it ain't broke don't fix it ". Ugly....smelly ...noisy..... Electric......TT Zero.....I love bikes but those bikes......send me to sleep..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terryathome Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 And "if you never try you will never succeed" I do like to stay positive you know or have you guessed? Terry 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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