Faraday Future reveals FFZERO1 concept
Faraday Future, that new and mysterious California-based electric car maker has just unveiled its FFZERO1 concept car, dubbed by some as the “Tesla Killer” (http://autoworld.com.my/news/2016/01/05/teslas-throne-threatened/).
This is a single-seater electric hypercar equipped with four motors that will produce over 1000hp and claims a 0-60mph time of under 3 seconds. This will likely remain a concept however, as I can’t see a way for anyone to climb into the cockpit without losing some dignity.
However, this concept which was penned by Richard Kim of BMW’s i3 and i8 fame, is used merely to showcase Faraday’s Variable Platform Architecture which has the flexibility to churn out models of different lengths, sizes and drivetrain configurations. The “UFO line” running through the center of the FFZERO1 will most probably remain in their production models in some form.
Like the Teslas, Faraday’s batteries are placed on the floor in horizontal rows; adding or subtracting rows to vary the vehicle length. According to Nick Sampson, senior VP and head of R&D, the batteries operate like Christmas tree lights where if one pack goes out, the rest can keep working.
There have been many EV concepts shown by new and established makers and many have fizzled out. A production model of a Faraday Future vehicle is still some way off but the company seems adamant to stick around having recruited hundreds of employees from the likes of Tesla, BMW, General Motors, Ford, Porsche, Ferrari and Apple, committed $1 billion to a manufacturing facility and a Chinese billionaire’s support.
