Monday 19th September 2011

Artega Updated - With Electric Option

Stylish mid-engined sports car struts its funky show stuff

---

Another electric sportscar. Hurrah!

An electric version of the Artega sports car has been unveiled at Frankfurt, powered by twin electric motors on the back axle that together are good for a reported 380hp.

That's enough to make it a second quicker to 62mph than the Artega GT, at a lightning fast 3.9secs, but the quoted range of 124 miles 'when driven enthusiastically' might be more of a worry. (Yes, we know some of you have a 50 mile commute to work through the lanes in Wiltshire, and this would be perfect...)

The latest version of the 'regular' Artega GT was also on the stand at Frankfurt, resplendent in orange with contrasty black carbon fibre bits that are part of its latest package of updates. Aside from the roof, bonnet and engine cover, the rest of the Artega's body is notable for being made from polyurethane. Underneath it's a mig-welded aluminium space frame.

But it's also available with a 300hp V6...

Powered by a 300hp VW sourced 3.6 litre V6 coupled to a twin clutch gearbox, and weighing 1495kgs, the GT will top 167mph. It's built at a new factory in Westphalia, where although there's claimed capacity for 500 cars a year, output is still at the 'ramping up' phase - with only a handful built so far, we're told.

That said, the Mexican investment outfit Tresalia Capital which bought the firm last year is said to be in it 'for the long term', and judging by the fit and finish of the show cars - and the build specification - it's a car that deserves to succeed. Although the €70k+VAT price-tag puts it up against some significant competition. The website is here.

...which is much more sensible.

[thewheelman]

Good looking car, has hints of Ginetta, Ferrari & Mclaren MP4. I would protest about the electric power, but it's a waste of time, it's happening. At least environmentally friendly cars are starting to look good. So good on 'em

[Fetchez la vache]

article said:

the quoted range of 124 miles 'when driven enthusiastically' might be more of a worry.

Surely that's quite good for this type of car?

Usually its more like

usual leccy car marketting guff said:

range of 124 miles 'when driven like a Honda in Eastbourne'.

[anonymous-user]

Im starting to like the idea of using the electric motors as a power boost! bit like an electric turbo!

[Gary C]

Still find it annoying that any electric car is called green.

Where is the power comming from to provide the electricity eh !

[Roberty]

Fetchez la vache said:

Surely that's quite good for this type of car?

I'm sorry are you not aware that whilst on forums you are obliged to spell Surely "Shirley"!

Otherwise great looking car even with the stupid black bonnet and roof, not my taste I'd tick the paint it all the same colour option.

But sadly at that price and with a VW V6 I just can't see it selling.

[ktm301p]

Looks very good from the front. But I can't help the rest of it looks too much like a kit car . . .

[kambites]

Gary C said:

Still find it annoying that any electric car is called green.

Where is the power comming from to provide the electricity eh !

Nuclear power, if the current plans come to fruition.

[Carnnoisseur]

I guess this is aimed specifically towards Tesla, as its a similar package in relation to both capacity and pricing. IMO, once the ranges are increased on these vehicles, they will then become serious alternatives to the norm. Having driven a colleagues Nissan Leaf quite recently, you'd be surprised how quickly you can clock up the maximum range of 100 miles, whilst running around on local errands.

Until that time, I'll keep my views of them being a novelty.......

[GTRene]

the weight of the Artega GT is not 1495kg ! that is max load incl car total...
the DIN unloaded weight is 1285kg (incl driver/fuel?) but the dry weight is 1180kg so a Artega Employer told me when I visit their factory a few months a go, I also had a go in one of their cars...
the ride was very good, immediately it felt very natural, only that double clutch and flippers felt a bit to fast almost no shocks when shifting gears, but the car feels very good and fun.

[Hellbound]

Investors from Mexico eh?

Guess the cartels need to put their money somewhere...



j/k

Edited by Hellbound on Monday 19th September 13:56

[alexpa]

Apart from the advantage of not seeing a few on every street, what does this car have over the new 911?

[anonymous-user]

looks good in silver over the orange. the r36 engine with no bhp tuning up on the 300bhp would be cool. 72gbp seems 20k too much..

[thinfourth2]

Gary C said:

Still find it annoying that any electric car is called green.

Where is the power comming from to provide the electricity eh !

But zero emmissions from the car

Also power stations kick out less soot, NOx and SOx. Also what they kick out isn't kicked out in the middle of a city

[marcosgt]

MonkeyMatt said:

Im starting to like the idea of using the electric motors as a power boost! bit like an electric turbo!

I have one of those already!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TURBO-F1-Z-Air-Intake-Fu...

M.

[timewatch]

Seem's like all of the new electric cars have very low 0-60 times, for all PH'ds that's great, but can't help wondering what gadgets
the Cop's will bring out to prevent the vast increase in speed if that's the case?

Also I read the other day that a Government committee think tank has been discussing new way's of robbing the motorist due to the increased use of Hybrid and electric vehicles, they said due to the oncoming change there will be less Oil used therefor less Tax and methods used to Tax Oil based vehicles will no longer be viable, so a whole new set of Taxes will have to be introduced in order to sustain the Tax levels recieved from the motorist at current standards and more.

This will take form in possible road charging per mile, additional Toll's for motorways etc, no doubt the water bill's will rise as we will consume more water too.

Water will become the new Oil.

If car's could run on Sh!t we would have a vast resource at 10 Downing Street!

TW>>>

[thinfourth2]

timewatch said:

If car's could run on Sh!t we would have a vast resource at 10 Downing Street!

TW>>>

Bio digesters

Aberdeen sewage works has a 0.8Mw generator running purely off fart

[rob.e]

Is it just me or have there been pre-production versions of this around for ages? I seem to remember seeing one at Goodwood what, three years ago?

I have a feeling they've missed the boat completely. The sub-supercar 300bhp mid-engined category now has properly quick caymans and evoras to compete against, neither of which were around when this car was first mooted.

I also have to agree with some of the other posts here - electric is pretty much a waste of time unless you have a very short commute (and no imagination) or just have the thing as part of a collection where other cars can take up the longer journeys/ carrying passengers/ going to Le Mans / doing a trackday etc.

[Frimley111R]

rob.e said:

Is it just me or have there been pre-production versions of this around for ages? I seem to remember seeing one at Goodwood what, three years ago?

I have a feeling they've missed the boat completely. The sub-supercar 300bhp mid-engined category now has properly quick caymans and evoras to compete against, neither of which were around when this car was first mooted.

I also have to agree with some of the other posts here - electric is pretty much a waste of time unless you have a very short commute (and no imagination) or just have the thing as part of a collection where other cars can take up the longer journeys/ carrying passengers/ going to Le Mans / doing a trackday etc.

Thanks, saved me typing exactly that.

[RudeDog]

alexpa said:

Apart from the advantage of not seeing a few on every street, what does this car have over the new 911?

I agree, this needs to be pitched against the Cayman and priced accordingly (that means cheaper since its not the segment market leader)

[odyssey2200]

RudeDog said:

alexpa said:

Apart from the advantage of not seeing a few on every street, what does this car have over the new 911?

I agree, this needs to be pitched against the Cayman and priced accordingly (that means cheaper since its not the segment market leader)

Even at Cayman money, which would you buy?

An unheard of car that looks like a Porsche or a Porsche?