Teewave AR1 a two-seater sports car is designed by Gordon Murray, the famed designer associated with names like Mercedes-Benz SLR and McLaren F1. It has a unique design with excellent handling and ride. Teewave is a beautiful car that will synchronize well with the latest fashion trends. Toray, the Japanese industrial leader in the world market of high tech equipment, collaborated with Gordon to develop this vehicle. By high tech material, we mean that the car uses carbon fiber for its various components. The light weight environmentally friendly car is very similar to the Tesla Roadster and many industrial comparisons are being made about their features. To learn more, read the following.
Electric Teewave AR1
The green machine
The project T.32 i.e. the code name for Teewave AR1 was executed when designer Gordon Murray and Toray Industries, a composite material specialist, collectively wanted to develop a prototype to illustrate an integrated light weight electric vehicle. They were finally able to prototype a two seater roadster built from carbon fiber. Gordon Murray is famous for designing car models like Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren etc and now he and his team have worked to design the interiors and exterior of Teewave AR1. Toray Industries, a Japanese specialist and world leader in carbon fiber supplied all the high tech material. The main highlight of this two passenger car is its weight which is only 850kg. The aim of this project is not only to develop an all electric drivetrain but also to showcase Toray’s expertise in carbon fiber or the high tech material.
The green factor
The two seater sports car, Teewave AR1, was developed using the TEEWAVE technology which cannot be used for two seater cars. The prototype was ready in just 9 months with its digital design and a Mitsubishi i-MiEV powertrain. The light weight car comes with an electric motor of 63 horsepower and it will take 11.4 seconds to reach 100k/h speed. It will take around eight hours to recharge the electric motor with a driving range of around 115mph. Maximum emphasis was laid on weight cut so that fuel economy could be tightened, emissions could be reduced and the best of all, lower the weight, lesser will be energy consumption. According to Murray, every kilogram of weight cut down will save around $23-$31 in battery costs.
The powertrain
The vehicle is powered by an electric motor capable of generating 63 horsepower and 133lb-ft of torque and also 10 kilowatt lithium-ion battery. These statistics do not represent a typical sports vehicle, but nonetheless the light weight compensates for the low power. The car can be fully charged within 6 to 8 hours. It will take around 4.4 seconds to reach from a zero mark to 30mph and around 11.4 seconds to reach 91mph.
The highs
The Toray method used for building the two seater roadster allows completing the process in just 10 minutes. The versatility of the carbon fiber monocoque chassis will be replicated by others in the near future. The car took exactly nine months for its completion, including all the weight management, center of gravity adjustment, designing etc, reducing the total amount of cost, time and capital required. Since the car weight is only 850kg, it falls in the category of Lotus Elise territory. It weighs 400 kilograms less than a Tesla Roadster and about 700 kilograms less than the Nissan Leaf.
The lows
The Teewave AR1 is being directly compared with the Tesla Roadster as they both are very similar in their offerings. The only feature that is more prominent in the Teewave is its lightweight in comparison to the Tesla, but apart from that the Tesla outscores. Teewave has not been able to use the light weight economically, as it is powered by only a 63 horsepower electric engine which takes 11.4 seconds to reach 100k/h, whereas the Tesla reaches the same high in just 4.0 seconds. Industry analysts’ point that the purpose for the development of this prototype was never to develop a notable drivetrain, but it was to showcase their expertise of Toray in using the carbon fiber. Industry also points out that if some more focused work will be done on the roadster to suit a power plant concept, it might overshadow others in the same category.
Cost and availability
Both Toray and Gordon Murray have not hinted about any prospective date for the availability of the Teewave AR1 or about its estimated price. Speculation by various players including the TGDaily tells that the car will be priced around $70,000 including the cost of all publicity and branding.
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