Filed under: EV/Plug-in, On Two Wheels, Europe/EU, USA, Racing



The gauntlet has been thrown down. Although the freshly revealed Spark-Renault SRT_01E racecar isn't scheduled to spin a wheel in anger for another year yet, when the Formula E series officially kicks off, it has already received its first challenge. One from an unexpected source.
The American electric motorcycle maker Brammo was impressed by the battery-powered racer at its Frankfurt Motor Show debut, but after doing some quick calculations, figures its own Empulse RR might just have what it takes to steal its silent thunder on a race track. According to a post on its Facebook page, the Oregonian firm reckons the 800-kg (1464-lb), 200 kW (268 horsepower) open cockpit car would be at a disadvantage compared to its similarly breezy 200-kg (440-lb), 130-kW (174-hp) battery-powered bike. At first blush, the numbers would certainly seem to favor the motorcycle, but with a lot more rubber with which to swing it through corners, the car might redeem itself on the right circuit. It also has an extra 67 kW (90 hp) available via its push-to-pass setup that's unaccounted for by the motorcycle maker.

Unfortunately, we doubt such a showdown will occur. Even if it lost, Brammo would likely benefit from the proposed spectacle, but the stakes are somewhat higher for folks behind the Spark-Renault machine. Scroll down for video of a spin around the SRT_01E as it sits on display at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. Below that, we also have a video of the Brammo Empulse R taking a spin around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.Continue reading Brammo issues challenge to Spark-Renault Formula E racer

Brammo issues challenge to Spark-Renault Formula E racer originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 16 Sep 2013 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



Permalink | Email this | Comments

More...