Ariel Motor Company, manufacturers of the Ariel Atom and Nomad cars as well as the Ariel Ace motorcycle, has released further details and first photographs of the HIPERCAR ultra-high performance electric sportscar due for low volume production.

Designed by Ariel Electric Ltd, part of the Ariel Group, HIPERCAR (standing for High-Performance Carbon Reduction) is shown for the first time with production intent bodywork and as a fully operational prototype. As with other Ariel vehicles, the focus of HIPERCAR is on extreme performance, light weight, agility and usability, now coupled with zero emissions plus the option of a lightweight turbine range extender. To be made alongside the Atom and Nomad the HIPERCAR, with the actual model name still to be finalised, is the first vehicle on Ariel’s path to zero emissions.

To be available in four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive variants the 880kw/1180bhp lightweight HIPERCAR offers staggering performance with 0 – 60 times of 2.09 seconds and 0 – 100 mph in 4.4 seconds.  With full torque vectoring these times will be improved so that sub 2 second times to 60mph and sub 4 seconds to 100mph are possible.

Development of the car and associated technologies, which has been grant aided by the UK Government through Innovate UK, the Advanced Propulsion Centre and Niche Vehicle Network, is based around cutting-edge EV technology all developed in the UK and the car will be built in Somerset by Ariel.

The vehicle showcases what the UK can achieve in the highly competitive and fast-changing EV sector with all key HIPERCAR components – chassis, body, motor, gearbox, battery, power electronics, range extender, driveline and mechanical components – developed by Ariel and other British companies.

Said Simon Saunders, Director of Ariel: “We still have a lot of testing, tuning and detail work to carry out over the next year or two prior to production, but what we are showing today is essentially what we intend to produce. Developing another of the world’s fastest and technically advanced cars is important for us but anchoring the technology that has been developed in this country and building a British EV supply chain is vital for the UK economy.

HIPERCAR isn’t just a milestone in vehicle design, it’s a demonstration of what we can do as an industry.”

Final pricing to be announced.

Commenting on the car’s intended price point, Simon Saunders said: “The price of the four-wheel drive car with range extender on the road in the UK, with all taxes, will be under one million pounds and although expensive we’re determined to make it value for money, like all Ariel products.

Production HIPERCARS are around two years away but with a current 28-month lead time for an Atom, it’s about the same time. HIPERCAR will be manufactured alongside the Atom and Nomad with the same unique care and individual build quality that goes into every single Ariel.”

More information from www.arielmotor.co.uk or 01480 78817 ENDS.