Time for an electric Ginetta ?
Discussion
With all the current focus on Co2, maybe a new Ginetta would be a good basis for electric power. Lotus have done it with a 200BHP electric motor and an Elise body.Its performance is spectacular on both speed and range. Its sold by a company called Tesla in the States for $50000, and makes very interesting reading. Im sure we could do it cheaper, so time for some forward thinking home grown engineering methinks.
www.teslamotors.com/engineering/how_it_works.php
www.teslamotors.com/engineering/how_it_works.php
although it would put it in the spotlight hmmmmm wouldnt it take the fun out of driving though? 
yep, a lightweight Electrinetta with 4 inwheel drive motors
Ofcorse we will miss the lovely engine sound, but they can add some sound on the revs of the electro-engine...they can do that, ofcorse its no combustionsound but if its very fast and reliable and much fun to drive, them why not, they could do race series with that sort of cars
future racing lotus against ginetta and that french electra car euhm Fetish? in those cars...
GTRene
Ofcorse we will miss the lovely engine sound, but they can add some sound on the revs of the electro-engine...they can do that, ofcorse its no combustionsound but if its very fast and reliable and much fun to drive, them why not, they could do race series with that sort of cars
future racing lotus against ginetta and that french electra car euhm Fetish? in those cars... GTRene
Rather than start a new thread I'll bring this to life. I'm going to convert a light car to battery-electric. I've thought about the old Mini and Citroen 2CV - don't laugh, the 2CV is a cult car just like the Mini. Today my attention was put to a 1973 Ginetta G15 in a sales ad and the ad says only 550 kg. Is that right, it's 37 kg less than a Mini?
I'm searching for info about the G15 like curb weight, max allowed weight. Is the chassis like any other car, so spare parts will be available?
What's the recent sales price for a decent (running but not restored) '73 G15?
I'm searching for info about the G15 like curb weight, max allowed weight. Is the chassis like any other car, so spare parts will be available?
What's the recent sales price for a decent (running but not restored) '73 G15?
Edited by GinELla on Saturday 25th April 19:19
GTRene said:
but also I think its a bit costly because you need a whole different chassis for the batteries, but I would welcome it...
GTRene
I don't see that you need a different chassis for an electric motor or to mount the battery. I'm thinking about converting a 1973 G15. Do you know how much the 998 engine/transmission/differential unit weighs?GTRene
Is the fuel tank located behind the seats in a G15?
Edited by GinELla on Saturday 25th April 19:20
Hi there, the G15's fuel tank is in the front of the car along with the spare wheel (if you i have one...i dont) it is mounted above the pedal box and high up in the car, the chassis is relatively simple all drivetrain is behind the rear axle line essentially, i suppose you could place motors and battery cells where the engine and transaxle are now by creating a subframe but even using LI-Ion would imagine you'd need a large amount of cells which would lead to a horrible weight bias at the rear.
oh weight for tranny and engine all up 105kg
oh weight for tranny and engine all up 105kg
Edited by ccharlie6 on Saturday 25th April 20:04
ccharlie6 said:
oh weight for tranny and engine all up 105kg
Thank you ccharlie6! The electric motor/gear/differential unit I'm going to use comes out of a front wheel drive 2001 Th!nk City. It weighs 76 kg including inverter (power controller). So I'm minus 29 kg already. The electric unit is transverse mounted and extends forward from the drive shafts. It needs to be installed such that the output for the drive shafts will be in the same position as original with the Imp ICE unit. The electric unit is about the size of a Mini gearbox/diff. I could turn it around - the electric motor runs just as good in the opposite direction - if space does not permit the unit to extend forward of the drive shafts.I've been googling a lot since yesterday and found out the G15 already use a tiny starting battery, so there is not much weight to save there. There is a luggage compartment behind the seats where I could install some of the battery.
Right now I'm looking at some individual LiFePO4 cells. They are rated 3.2V/40Ah. 37 of those will give me the voltage I need, 118.4V. Each cell is 114.3 x 203.2 x 50.8 millimeters. I hope to find room for 3 strings, i.e. 111 cells in all. That should give me a range of about 100 km. I don't recall the cell weight right now, but I think the G15 is capable of carrying 150 kg.
I don't want to add any weight ahead of the front axle or aft of the rear axle to keep the G15's ability to turn quickly. That means that - what is the correct name: tail cone or engine cover? - will remain as good as empty - just som electronics installed at the firewall. I also will strive to install the battery as close to the ground as possible in order not to destroy the G15's good cornering ability.
Dandarez, I haven't seen a G15 in Norway before, only a roadster or convertible. The car I'm looking at now has been here for a number of years. If I end up buying it - I'm pretty gassed up now! - I'll send you the chassis number. Do you have a photo or two from when you owned it?
Edit: found a photo of your G15 on page 4 in the photo thread. But the door handle is different. Your door handles look like like the ones that were on the Morris 1800. The ones on the G15 that's for sale in Norway now are like the ones on the Marina, I think, they are flush with the door.
Edit: found a photo of your G15 on page 4 in the photo thread. But the door handle is different. Your door handles look like like the ones that were on the Morris 1800. The ones on the G15 that's for sale in Norway now are like the ones on the Marina, I think, they are flush with the door.
Edited by GinELla on Sunday 26th April 18:36
Edited by GinELla on Sunday 26th April 19:53
Edited by GinELla on Monday 27th April 18:21
The G50EV has a real world range of 200 miles and top speed of 107mph (the web site says 250 and 107) but the 120 would be on a very very long road and 250 miles range would be driving like a monk.
The car was demonstrated at Oulton Park in the supercar parade but i don't think anyone knew it was electric (i was following a very noisy Maserati)
I have covered around 2000 miles in the car and it has been very reliable and costs £3.40 to do around 150miles
The chassis for any battery car has to be very substantial as the battery power density required for any real range means that it will weigh around 30% more than it’s IC engined counterpart, but with good planning the weight can be distributed to give a good c of g and keep the weight central
For you who can access www.dailysportscar.com there is a good write up.
http://www.dailysportscar.com/viewArticle.cfm?cust...
Lawrence
The car was demonstrated at Oulton Park in the supercar parade but i don't think anyone knew it was electric (i was following a very noisy Maserati)
I have covered around 2000 miles in the car and it has been very reliable and costs £3.40 to do around 150miles
The chassis for any battery car has to be very substantial as the battery power density required for any real range means that it will weigh around 30% more than it’s IC engined counterpart, but with good planning the weight can be distributed to give a good c of g and keep the weight central
For you who can access www.dailysportscar.com there is a good write up.
http://www.dailysportscar.com/viewArticle.cfm?cust...
Lawrence
lnt said:
The G50EV has a real world range of 200 miles and top speed of 107mph (the web site says 250 and 107) but the 120 would be on a very very long road and 250 miles range would be driving like a monk.
The car was demonstrated at Oulton Park in the supercar parade but i don't think anyone knew it was electric (i was following a very noisy Maserati)
I have covered around 2000 miles in the car and it has been very reliable and costs £3.40 to do around 150miles
The chassis for any battery car has to be very substantial as the battery power density required for any real range means that it will weigh around 30% more than it’s IC engined counterpart, but with good planning the weight can be distributed to give a good c of g and keep the weight central
For you who can access www.dailysportscar.com there is a good write up.
http://www.dailysportscar.com/viewArticle.cfm?cust...
Lawrence
As a matter of interest, how long does it take to charge up? A 200 mile range isn't bad unless it needs 24 hours to charge. I really like the idea of the electic sports car (seamless torgue etc) I would love to try one in the real world with my job that involves much travelling, i could save the G33 then for days when I think the neighbours have oversleptThe car was demonstrated at Oulton Park in the supercar parade but i don't think anyone knew it was electric (i was following a very noisy Maserati)
I have covered around 2000 miles in the car and it has been very reliable and costs £3.40 to do around 150miles
The chassis for any battery car has to be very substantial as the battery power density required for any real range means that it will weigh around 30% more than it’s IC engined counterpart, but with good planning the weight can be distributed to give a good c of g and keep the weight central
For you who can access www.dailysportscar.com there is a good write up.
http://www.dailysportscar.com/viewArticle.cfm?cust...
Lawrence
Thank you for the feedback and report as a G50 driver, Lawrence. My EV is being charged while I sleep, so the range needed is just for the day's driving.
Traditionally, EV range is given at a constant speed of 50 kph on level road and no wind. You are right about it being "like a monk".
Wish I had the money to buy a G50EV.
Tom
http://www.evalbum.com/794
Traditionally, EV range is given at a constant speed of 50 kph on level road and no wind. You are right about it being "like a monk".
Wish I had the money to buy a G50EV.
Tom
http://www.evalbum.com/794
it takes 6 hours to charge from almost flat to full using a domestic supply - through 13a plugs.
the batteries are very expensive a present, but will hopefully come down in price with volume.
i find that most journeys are ok with the 200m range, but we are working on a "range extender" as an option - this is basically an on board generator that charges the battery as you travel (only really for people doing alot of long journeys)- but this can also be used to charge the car when it is stood and there is no easily available mains supply - or be a mobile generator when you need power for tools etc eg race tracks!
the batteries are very expensive a present, but will hopefully come down in price with volume.
i find that most journeys are ok with the 200m range, but we are working on a "range extender" as an option - this is basically an on board generator that charges the battery as you travel (only really for people doing alot of long journeys)- but this can also be used to charge the car when it is stood and there is no easily available mains supply - or be a mobile generator when you need power for tools etc eg race tracks!
it takes 6 hours to charge from almost flat to full using a domestic supply - through 13a plugs.
the batteries are very expensive a present, but will hopefully come down in price with volume.
i find that most journeys are ok with the 200m range, but we are working on a "range extender" as an option - this is basically an on board generator that charges the battery as you travel (only really for people doing alot of long journeys)- but this can also be used to charge the car when it is stood and there is no easily available mains supply - or be a mobile generator when you need power for tools etc eg race tracks!
the batteries are very expensive a present, but will hopefully come down in price with volume.
i find that most journeys are ok with the 200m range, but we are working on a "range extender" as an option - this is basically an on board generator that charges the battery as you travel (only really for people doing alot of long journeys)- but this can also be used to charge the car when it is stood and there is no easily available mains supply - or be a mobile generator when you need power for tools etc eg race tracks!
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