Electric platform for hypercars
Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) has taken the wraps off its latest electric vehicle (EV) innovation.
It’s an ultra-high-performance platform designed to accelerate the ambitions of hypercar manufacturers – from start-ups to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
The EVR concept enables brands to launch unique high-performance EVs based on a state-of-the-art yet cost-effective platform by combining WAE’s vehicle and powertrain engineering experience into one package.
WAE has also unveiled a new scalable battery module system and will feature the prototype Triumph TE-1 electric motorbike together with the e-powertrain in its bid to underline its position as a leader in high-performance electrification.
The latest iteration of WAE’s EV platforms, the EVR is focused on the growing electric hyper-car sector with a lightweight composite structure that mounts the high-performance battery system in the middle of the vehicle, optimising its centre of gravity.
It can support a range of electric configurations, from track-only vehicles where the power-to-weight ratio is maximised to roadgoing models, both open-roof Targa and fixed-roof GT architectures.
This is made possible by the architecture’s central tub. This has been designed from day one to allow for such flexibility, including open-roof design, while still featuring latest performance technology such as active aerodynamics.
With an 85kWh battery and peak power of 1650kW, the EVR enables a sub-two second 0-100kph acceleration and a top speed more than 400kph with a vehicle mass of less than 1,800kg, along with fast-charging capability of sub-20 minutes and a range in excess of 450km. All-wheel and rear-wheel-drive layouts are supported through multiple e-motor configurations.
The EVR’s inherent flexibility and modularity means WAE’s offering to customers is unique. For start-ups, it provides a turn-key solution, with the company delivering the entire vehicle with exterior design support supplied by the customer or a WAE partner.
For OEMs, it accelerates the route to market, with the entire engineering and assembly of the rolling chassis completed by WAE. Capable of being adapted for the OEM’s design and styling requirements, the EVR reduces the time from development to market launch.
Equally, for OEMs and tier ones, it provides the opportunity to integrate new products to push the boundaries of electric powertrain technology, with the rolling chassis capable of being continuously developed with WAE’s newest motor and battery technologies.
Engineered for maximum flexibility for customer requirements, in terms of interior and exterior design, the EVR results in a reduced time to market with class-leading performance.
WAE is targeting delivery of a first EVR-based prototype within 12 months from project kick-off to delivery of a first production vehicle in 24 months.
It is also ready for a hydrogen future with an EVR-H fuel cell variant also being developed to deliver the equivalent performance of a pure BEV platform but powered by green H2.
As for the scalable battery module (SBM), it utilises WAE’s proprietary “sense chain” architecture to eliminate the replication of electronics, while enabling independent scaling of voltage and capacity and the realisation of bespoke battery concepts in record time.
Revolutionising rapid and flexible battery development, WAE’s modular toolkit enables automotive customers to create custom pack and sub-pack systems faster than ever, supporting low to medium-volume EV developers across a range of industries. Each module is 1.08kWh with a voltage of 50V-max, 43V-nominal with an energy density of up to 240Wh/kg.
Craig Wilson, chief executive officer of WAE, says: “We have grown from an embryonic business in 2010 to one that now employs more than 500 people engaged in leading-edge and transformative technologies for a growing list of applications, sectors and clients.”
