Koenigsegg Quant: 512 bhp 275 km/h, solar-electric 4-seater

20:25 March 5, 2009 PST

Page: 1 2 3

Image Gallery (27 images)

Swedish supercar manufacturer Koenigsegg, in conjunction with NLV Solar of Switzerland, is showing its full scale four-seater NLV Quant at the 2009 Geneva Salon. Producing 512hp with maximum torque of 715Nm, the Quant runs 0–100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and hits a top speed of 275 km/h. The all-electric car is powered through a combination of what it has dubbed a Flow Accumulator Energy Storage (FAES), which charges to full capacity in 20 minutes, and solar energy supplied via a thin layer photovoltaic coating over the car. The combined solar/FAES offer a claimed range in excess of 500km.

The NLV Quant

New technology

The thin layer solar technology and the proprietary FAES system enable the design of a fully electrical vehicle, rather than relying on more commonplace hybrid solutions. This also simplifies the drive train layout and packaging, as only one propulsion system is needed.

Koenigsegg says that the Quant will be able to cover long distances without a charge due to a combination of a low frontal surface area of around 2 m2, a drag coefficient of around CD 0.27 and the efficiency of the FAES and solar systems.

Style

The ingenious design provides a unique blend of supercar looks and the space of a traditional luxury sedan. The car will carry four large adults in comfort and also feature a spacious boot at the rear.

The gull-wing doors on the Quant allow for an easy and more ergonomic access to both the front and rear passenger seats than in conventional cars. The unique split side-lite feature allows passenger to open and close the front and rear side windows separately.

Standard features

...continued

Page: 1 2 3

Tags

User Comments (2)

What the heck is FAES?

diesel ola

- March 5, 2009 @ 11:03 pm PST

According to NLV Solar's website:

"FAES is an electrochemical energy storage system. The gravimetric energy density is over 170 Wh/kg, the volumetric energy density at least 600 Wh/kg. A particular feature is the voltage per individual cell of 4 V; the cells are connected in series. The FAES technology allows high-voltage charging to full capacity in 15-20 minutes and gives the vehicle a range of 500 km. The additional power input from the invisible, thin-film photovoltaic coating that covers the body of the car further increases the range potential. The FAES has no memory effect."

I don't know why there is a rear engine v8 drivetrain included in the picture gallery. Reviewing the Koenigsegg website verifies that it is truly an all electric concept.

Gizmag should rewrite this article, I realize that its from another website but it completely misses the point by thinking the story is about a car, or even a "benchmark for super cars into the future". Its about a new type of solar cell which can be applied to a surface such as this car. NLV terms this pyradian technology but essentially its iron pyrite (Fools Gold). Up till now its only been theoretical, and even though we have some quality renderings I don't think the pyradian technology exists at this level just yet. Koenigsegg and NLV are putting forth some serious claims that this will make it into series production, as far out as this technology may be, I don't think we should be doubting what they say just yet.

TheDuke

- March 7, 2009 @ 07:03 pm PST