E-Vade: world debut for lightweight, 500 kW sportscar

A joint effort between naval engineer Lieutenant Commander David Walter and his wife Peta, the track version of the two-seater E-Vade sportscar weighs just 900 kg and achieves 500 kW from its modified Nissan V6 engine mounted longitudinally behind the driver. A slightly heavier (950 kg) road-going and less powerful (300kW) configuration is also on offer with both versions incorporating a built-in hydraulic jacking system which can lift the whole car about 20 cm at the press of a button for quick wheel and tyre changes.

A mild steel space-frame chassis clad in fibreglass make up the flowing lines of the E-Vade which from the rear shares similarities with classic Corvette designs.

More than 5 years in the making, the car is the brainchild of David Walter, the ship's engineer for the Australia's Anzac class frigate HMAS Ballarat. David's objective has been to build a car for himself and wife Peta to enjoy "and if we end up making and selling more of them, then that's something extra".

The E-Vade has just undergone its first trials at VACC Park in Port Melbourne, Australia, ahead of its public debut at the Melbourne Motor Show on February 29.