Automotive

Old BMW gets second life as world's quickest EV

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The e-M3 clocked an 11.8-second quarter mile
Rimac set several records in April of 2011
Rimac plans to deliver the first Concept_One later this year
The e-M3 wins 1/8 and 1/4 mile records
The converted BMW has a 600-hp electric powertrain
Rimac lists the e-M3's 0-62 mph time at 3.3 seconds
Mate Rimac has been experimenting with potent electric powertrains
Rimac sent the e-M3 through five development phases
The FIA has recognized Rimac's times
The e-M3 clocked an 11.8-second quarter mile
The e-M3 paved the way for the Concept_One
The Concept_One is an electric supercar with 1,088 hp
The Concept_One may set some world records of its own
62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.8 seconds
Rimac says the Concept_One is capable of up to 372 miles (600 km) of range
The Concept_One weighs 3,640 lbs (1,650 kg)
Top speed: 189 mph (305 km/h)
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Before he ever began work on the thrilling Rimac Concept_One electric supercar, Rimac Automobili founder Mate Rimac converted an old BMW E30 to an electric speed demon. The decades-old car, fondly nicknamed the "green monster" but more formally known as the e-M3, was recently awarded several electric vehicle world records.

"I owned an old BMW E30, which I used for drift and circuit races," Rimac explains. "At one of these races, the gas engine blew up. Then I decided to try building an EV. After one year or so the car was able to drive, but I was not satisfied with the result. It was heavy, not very powerful and the range was very limited. I started to gather a team of experts to develop our own components since I believed that the electric propulsion can give much more compared to what was available on the market. At that time, I already had a very clear vision of my ultimate goal. Today, hard work is making my dream come true."

Some people might be discouraged by the thick smoke emanating out of the hood, but Rimac just picked himself up and made something much more awesome. The realization of his dreams didn't come easy – it took five different iterations of the electric Bimmer to get things right – but it did come.

Rimac set several records in April of 2011

The e-M3 puts out 600 horsepower and 664 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque in its current tune. It launches to 62 mph (100 k/mh) in 3.3 seconds – faster than a Ferrari 458 Italia – and tops out around 174 mph (280 km/h). It's definitely a little more riveting than a Mitsubishi i-Miev, but still packs a respectable range of 112 miles (180 km) per charge.

Rimac put the car to the test in the spring of 2011 on a piece of military asphalt in its home country of Croatia. After receiving official recognition from the FIA, Rimac announced two records this month, calling the e-M3 the fastest accelerating electric vehicle. The e-M3 raced the 1/8-mile in 7.549 seconds and the 1/4 mile in 11.808 seconds. The vehicle set the record in the Category A, Group VIII (electric vehicle), Class 3 (above 1,000 kg).

Rimac is still awaiting certification of several other records, including a 23.26-second kilometer run. We also expect to see the company working on breaking its own records with the 1,088-hp Concept_One, which it claims can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.8 seconds. It plans to deliver the first of the 88 limited edition supercars before the end of the year.

Source: Rimac Automobili

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14 comments
MasterG
Awesome there is still hope for mankind.
Crash
Any details of motors, controller and battery pack?
Andrew Knowles
And here I thought the White Zombie was the fastest. 0-60 in 1.8s: http://www.plasmaboyracing.com/whitezombie.php
GunsSaveLives
Depends how you look at it Crash. Green Monster has higher top speed, however, White Zombie has better 1/8 mile times. So, even tho GM is faster, WZ has MUCH better acceleration.
I think if the two teams worked together, they could come up with ONE HELL of an EV.
Darin Victory
Andrew is correct. The White Zombie has the fastest with the lithium ion powered ET 10.258 @ 123.79 mph. (in the standing start NHRA timed 1/4 mile, per NEDRA) 1.58 sec. 60 ft. time, 0-60 in ~ 1.8 seconds, 1/8 mile ET 6.443 @ 108.63 mph!
http://www.plasmaboyracing.com/whitezombie.php
Cal Verdun
Congrats Rimac! Keep up the hard work of putting to rest the myths of EV's.
jerryd
Not even close as so many others do better from the White Zombie 4 yrs ago to so many more since then.
As far as it going 174mph for more than second I doubt as it doesn't have the shape/aero to do it with either eff or stability. Air would get under it and it'd go flying off into a really bad crash.
McDesign
WZ is QUICKEST - this car is FASTEST.
There's a clear difference in the accepted car-guy semantics.
Richard Mayes
Neither of which is a fast as Black Currant...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1394754/Record-breaking-Beetle-fastest-electric-powered-drag-racer-doing-0-60mph-1-6-seconds.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
PS Sorry about the link to the Daily Mail website, that was the best article I could find!!
Lasereye
Way cool - the electric car - correcting a choice made in the begining of cars - electric or gasoline - the times are a chang'in - FAST!