Julian Turner - Westfield Sportscars Ltd Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 University of Warwick WMG Research Engineer Stephen Lambert will unveil the WorldFirst Hybrid Westfield Racing car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend introducing electric hybrid cars to club racing. The WorldFirst Hybrid Westfield Racing car showcases an innovative drivetrain which is capable of propelling the vehicle from 0-60 miles per hour in under 4 seconds. This incredible acceleration is achieved through the use of an innovative four wheel drive system which increases the available traction. A formula one style “push to pass” button controls the power generated by the two 75kW motors which, in turn, use a formula one style inboard suspension to drive the front wheels independently of the 195bhp turbo charged engine, a first for Westfield Sports Cars. The innovative battery package, manufactured using advanced e-manufacturing techniques allows cool air to flow around the individual lithium – ion cells allowing the batteries to both be run at higher powers whilst also achieving a longer burst in power. Stephen has worked with project partner EOS in developing this technology which allows the batteries to be situated within the tight packaging constraints of the Westfield Sportscars Chassis. Project partner and Managing Director of Potenza Technology, Paul Faithfull said “The knowledge gained and transferred by working with WMG has led to the robust design and manufacture of reliable battery solutions which could potentially be used in many platforms.” By working closely with the project partners a system which performs to the highest standards of motorsport has been possible. It is possible to run the car in electric only mode and in fact, collaboration partners Westfield Sportscars and Potenza Technology have used the knowledge that Stephen has gained from the development of this hybrid to develop a new all electric racing car (the Westfield iRacer). University of Warwick WMG Principal Fellow, Dr Steve Maggs, said: “Following the success of this prototype, there is potential for the system to be rolled out for production and sale by Westfield Sportscars. In fact, the system that has been developed is pioneering in that it can be fully integrated into any motor vehicle and therefore has numerous potential exciting applications for the future of both motorsport and the automotive industry”. As well as performing two runs each day on the famous Goodwood hill climb, the car will be on display in the FoS Tech Pavilion at the festival which runs from 2-4th July. Pics and Link http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/newsand....stfield Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Stanton Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 QUOTE the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend errrrrmmmmmm last weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpetstu Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 Did the message get a little delayed? Kingswinford is obviously in a different time zone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark (smokey mow) Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 An interesting project and it's good to hear about even if it is a week late but I'm wondering what benifits this system gives in terms of improved MPG or emissions. The concept of using the petrol engine to drive the rear wheels and the electric motor driving the front axles may make an retro fit install relatively simple in any non-westfield etc but I'm curious how much loss the second drivetrain induces combined with the additional weight of the second transmission and the associated batteries. How would this compare to simply swapping out my petrol engine for a small modern diesel engine? Not having a poke at it in any way and I'm all for development and we have to start somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Ashcroft Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 I saw this last weekend at the FOS it looked an interesting little project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Stanton Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 Half expected to see WSC project in the "Green" London to Brighton Rally ......... Tesla and Ginetta were both featured in the press Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidgh Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 Fish..... Bicycle..... Unless it's under 600 Kg of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northampton Motorsport Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 hope the drive train is better than the suspension set up. it will turn in a treat with about 3 deg of positive camber !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris7273 Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 hope the drive train is better than the suspension set up. it will turn in a treat with about 3 deg of positive camber !! Good catch ! Stange : Inboard suspension ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephenh Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 Well spotted! looks extraordinary now you've pointed it out. I hadn't bothered looking at the pics when I first saw the thread. I wonder if the pics are taken from a mock-up, or with the batteries removed, or even the engine! Cant think of any other reason it should look like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Everall Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 Steering wheel has been mounted on the wrong side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bananaman Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 The WorldFirst Hybrid Westfield Racing car showcases an innovative drivetrain which is capable of propelling the vehicle from 0-60 miles per hour in under 4 seconds. This incredible acceleration is achieved through the use of an innovative four wheel drive system which increases the available traction. A formula one style “push to pass” button controls the power generated by the two 75kW motors which, in turn, use a formula one style inboard suspension to drive the front wheels independently of the 195bhp turbo charged engine, a first for Westfield Sports Cars. Not wanting to pi$$ on anybody’s chips BUT wouldn't a 195bhp Westfield accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour in under 4 seconds anyway regardless of the electric motors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephenh Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 The WorldFirst Hybrid Westfield Racing car showcases an innovative drivetrain which is capable of propelling the vehicle from 0-60 miles per hour in under 4 seconds. This incredible acceleration is achieved through the use of an innovative four wheel drive system which increases the available traction. A formula one style “push to pass” button controls the power generated by the two 75kW motors which, in turn, use a formula one style inboard suspension to drive the front wheels independently of the 195bhp turbo charged engine, a first for Westfield Sports Cars. Not wanting to pi$$ on anybody’s chips BUT wouldn't a 195bhp Westfield accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour in under 4 seconds anyway regardless of the electric motors Yes, of course! But it wouldn't be green then would it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Everall Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 You can get one in green bodytub! Even my sprint car now has a green bonnet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephenh Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 Yes Tel, but your sprint car isnt exactly "Green" green is it? In fact its down right anti-social! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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