Who doesn't love a go-kart? The super sharp responses, the sensation of speed and - if you're doing it properly - the pride in triumphing over your friends are all great feelings. Here we have the latest advance in kart technology, the Bosch e-kart.
Eco-friendly motorsport we can approve of!
Developed with FIA Electric, the New Energy Commission, the German Motorsport Association (DMSB), and kart manufacturer Mach 1, the e-kart is predictably enough designed to show what sustainable motorsport could look like. Very worthy. However, rather unlike Formula E, this little kart looks like a right giggle. Nobody watches or partakes in karting for an emotive noise now, do they?
Bosch is claiming a frankly ridiculous 221lb ft for its two-wheel drive kart, along with a 0-60mph time of less than five seconds and a top speed beyond 80mph. That's thanks to its Boost Recuperation System (BRS) - a 48-volt lithium battery stores the energy, which is then replenished when you slow to be used for acceleration. With regenerative braking there's even less need to touch the left pedal in a kart!
20 of these on a track sounds entertaining...
According to Bosch, the aim of this concept is to preview "a purely electric motorsport discipline that makes no compromises in power or performance." It's not like you could complain about the noise from an electric kart series, could you? And if you don't like the sight of them outdoors, how about a huge track inside? It must happen! Moreover, the BRS will be implemented into road cars from next year. In support of the combustion engine, Bosch says it provides an additional 13hp and 110lb ft with an improvement of 15 per cent in CO2 and fuel economy.
The e-kart was shown at the Berlin Formula E event last weekend; there's no confirmation of it actually being made, but Bosch vice-pres Dr. Klaus Bottcher said "over the coming weeks and months we will continue testing to further explore the capabilities of the new e-kart." Which sounds a bit like "try and make it even faster still." We look forward to bringing you more progress!