Electric GT, the all-electric and all-Tesla racing championship, has promised to deliver a stripped-down racetrack-ready Tesla Model S P100D that can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.0 seconds (0 to 100 km/h in 2.1 seconds). The weight reduction is critical to this accomplishment and they have now revealed how they did it.
While the bulk of the weight reduction, which they now claim to be 1,100 lbs, came from stripping the interior, the championship partnered with natural fiber composite manufacturer Bcomp to further reduce the weight with biocomposite panels.
At JEC World 2017 in Paris this, Bcomp launched two composite performance kits called “pRace© – F01 and pRace© – C01, namely a full flax- and a hybrid carbon-flax laminate (developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency ESA). Both feature the powerRibs technology, resulting in stiff and lightweight solutions for automotive race body parts.”
The first application of those new technologies was in Electric GT’s custom Tesla Model S P100d, which was at the trade show. Considering the stock Model S P100D weighs about 4,960 lbs (2,250 kg), a 1,100 lbs (500 kg) weight reduction represents about 20% of the total weight.
It can make a significant different in overall performance, which would explain the 2.0 sec 0 to 60 mph, but it could also explain how Electric GT plans to have those cars run several laps without overheating.
They kept the fiber exposed on the hood and roof to showcase the new material at JEC World 2017:
As we recently reported, Electric GT plans to launch the first season of the championship in August. The races will take place at some world-renowned circuits like Silverstone, UK, and Nürburgring, Germany.
They have been adding several professional race car drivers to their lineup in order to prepare for the season.
Leilani Münter, who joined the Electric GT championshi last year, was present for the launch of the vehicle and streamed the event:
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