Westfield Sportscars join EV Cup with their innovative electric race car, the iRACER.
Westfield’s iRACER is a track focused electric vehicle designed and engineered to support a growing demand for zero emission sports cars. With a target total weight of 600kg, powered by two motors delivering 160 hp (120kW), the final vehicle will have a sub 5 second 0-60mph time, with an electronically limited top speed of 110mph.
Using an intelligent and flexible design, over half (approx. 100kg) of the state of the art Lithium Phosphate batteries will be stored under the floor to lower the centre of gravity. For a greater range and for better weight distribution, additional batteries can also be positioned towards the front of the vehicle. While this flexibility presents a number of practical and financial benefits, it also offers an additional competitive element for optimal vehicle setup for different circuits on the EV Cup calendar.
Westfield’s iRACER joins an already exciting SportsEV class line up. Dr. Paul Faithfull, Technical Director of Westfield Sportscars, “We are excited by the prospect of racing against other electric vehicles at circuits across Europe and beyond. EV Cup represents a great opportunity for us to develop vehicle technology on the back of this direct competition, a way to benchmark and to show that electric racing can be as dramatic and exciting as conventional motorsport.”
Says Managing Director Sylvain Filippi: “Westfield’s iRACER is another example of the excitement behind performance electric vehicles, this time, open top and very lightweight. We look forward to working with Westfield and witnessing the success of their iRACER.”
The iRACER is the result of a collaborative project between Westfield Sportscars, and Niche Vehicle Network partners Potenza Technology, Delta Motorsport, RDM Automotive, and Coventry University. Funded through an Advantage West Midlands programme, the vehicle has been styled by upcoming designer Elliott Hawkins from the Royal College of Arts.
Powered by two motors, that take the place of the differential, delivering 80 hp direct drive to each of the iRACER’s rear wheels via a reduction gear. Using an intelligent and flexible design, over half (approx. 100kg) of the state of the art Lithium Phosphate batteries will be stored under the floor to improve the positioning of the centre of gravity. For a greater range and for better weight distribution, additional batteries can also be positioned towards the front of the vehicle.
The motors are currently being tested at half power, with Westfield describing the car’s early pace as “brisk”. The next stages of development include the creation of new bodywork and artificial engine noise. The motors will also be further developed to provide independent control of the rear wheels.
Audi seem to have set a precedent with their E-Tron for quoting torque at the wheels on EVs with in-board wheel motors. The Tesla Roadster Sport has 400 Nm at the motor shaft. Multiply that by the 8.27:1 final drive ratio and we get 3308 Nm @ the wheels! The 1000 Nm iRacer doesn’t look so ’stump pulling’ by comparison.
It is set to make appearances at several public events throughout the year before the one-make series gets under way next year.
Westfield iRACER Specs
General:
* Kerb Weight – 600kg
* Length – 3600mm
* Width – 1635mm
* Installation – Rear, rear wheel drive
* Bodywork - Lightweight and recyclable
Technical:
* Drive motor – Oxford Yasa Motors, 80hp , 500Nm @ each wheel
* Battery - 170kg, Lithium Phosphate
Performance:
* 0-60mph - under 5 seconds
* Top speed – 110mph (electronically limited)
* Range – 55 race miles on a single charge (extendable)
* Recharge – 2 hours charge time from three phase generator
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