At this time we can say that electric cars are arguably limited in range, while there’s no argument they have plenty of power. Still, while gasoline-powered cars take time to rev up to the prerequisite speed, EVs launch like rockets when you hit the pedal due to high amounts of torque or low-end power. The japanese car maker, Toyota demonstrated the power of EVs setting a new lap record for an electric-vehicles at the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany with the company’s TMG EV P001.
They managed to record a time of 7 minutes, 47.79 seconds, a time similar to that of a Nissan GT-R. Still, we can’t really compare the two, since the GT-R can be used daily, while the EV we are talking about here is a racer.
With a time of 7:47.794 around the 20.8km Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit, the TMG EV P001 eclipsed the previous lap record (9:01.338, held by the Peugeot EX1) by more than 70 seconds.
The vehicle based on a Radical Sportscars chassis, is powered by two electric motors with a maximum combined output of 800Nm of torque, helping the electric racer to a top speed of 260km/h. The TMG EV was fitted with road-legal tyres and the record was set in good weather, although the track temperature was reportedly relatively low.
This event was a huge opportunity for Toyota engineers who have gathered data from the run, which they intend to use for future EV development.
TMG (Toyota Motorsport GmbH) technical director, Pascal Vasselon, said:
“We have enhanced our electric powertrain development thanks to the information our engineers have gained and our future EV products will benefit from this project,” Mr Vasselon said.
TMG director business operations, Rob Leupen, said:
“There’s no doubt that electric motorsport can be every bit as thrilling as traditional racing and it was an amazing sensation to watch the TMG electric vehicle fly past on the Nordschleife, with only the sound of wind rushing past and tyres squealing”.
“This is not the end of the story for TMG and I hope we will see our electric powertrains in action on the track again soon”.
So, what do you think? Are electric vehicles the future of motorsport? You can share your opinions in the comments section below, after the jump.
Source: Toyota
