Electric supercar smashes Nürburgring lap record | CNN

NIO EP9: Electric supercar smashes Nürburgring lap record

By Henry Young, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 8:48 AM EDT, Wed May 17, 2017
Boasting a 0-60 mph acceleration of 2.3 seconds, the ELEXTRA supercar will rank alongside the fastest electric vehicles in the world.
ELEXTRA —
Boasting a 0-60 mph acceleration of 2.3 seconds, the ELEXTRA supercar will rank alongside the fastest electric vehicles in the world.
© ELEXTRA
The Swiss-designed concept car will have a range of 600 kilometers (372 miles) and a top speed limited to 250 kph (155 mph) according to its creators, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.classicfactory.ch" target="_blank" target="_blank">Classic Factory</a>.
ELEXTRA —
The Swiss-designed concept car will have a range of 600 kilometers (372 miles) and a top speed limited to 250 kph (155 mph) according to its creators, Classic Factory.
© ELEXTRA
Classic Factory specialize in automotive and industrial design. CEO Robert Palm says a production car will cost around $500,000 (before tax) but won't be available before 2019.<br /><br />"The idea behind ELEXTRA is to combine pure lines reminding of the most exciting Italian super cars of the past, whilst being resolutely forward looking thanks to its low, sleek and beautiful design, paired with today's most advanced technology," <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.elextracars.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">Palm says</a>.
ELEXTRA —
Classic Factory specialize in automotive and industrial design. CEO Robert Palm says a production car will cost around $500,000 (before tax) but won't be available before 2019.

"The idea behind ELEXTRA is to combine pure lines reminding of the most exciting Italian super cars of the past, whilst being resolutely forward looking thanks to its low, sleek and beautiful design, paired with today's most advanced technology," Palm says.
© ELEXTRA
The all-electric NIO EP9 is the fastest road-legal car ever to take to the Nürburgring.
The all-electric NIO EP9 is the fastest road-legal car ever to take to the Nürburgring.
NIO EP9
Boasting a top speed of 194mph (313kph) and 1-megawatt of power (equivalent to 1342 BHP), the NIO EP9 may just be the fastest electric car on the planet.
Boasting a top speed of 194mph (313kph) and 1-megawatt of power (equivalent to 1342 BHP), the NIO EP9 may just be the fastest electric car on the planet.
NIO EP9
The Dendrobium 'hypercar' made its debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show in March.
Dendrobium —
The Dendrobium 'hypercar' made its debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show in March.
© Vanda Motors/Williams Advanced Engineering
The all-electric car has been created by Singapore-based Vanda Electrics with technological input from UK-based Williams Advanced Engineering.
Dendrobium —
The all-electric car has been created by Singapore-based Vanda Electrics with technological input from UK-based Williams Advanced Engineering.
© Vanda Motors/Williams Advanced Engineering
Williams Advanced Engineering is a technological division of the Williams Group which is most famous for its Formula One team. Co-founded by Frank Williams in 1977, the team, now run by Williams' daughter, Claire, has won nine constructors' titles during four decades in F1.
Dendrobium —
Williams Advanced Engineering is a technological division of the Williams Group which is most famous for its Formula One team. Co-founded by Frank Williams in 1977, the team, now run by Williams' daughter, Claire, has won nine constructors' titles during four decades in F1.
© Vanda Motors/Williams Advanced Engineering
Williams Advanced Engineering also provide the batteries that power Formula E cars. You can watch a CNN interview with Williams Advanced Engineering's operations manager Gary Ekerold here: <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2Fvideos%2Fsports%2F2016%2F06%2F13%2Fspc-supercharged-williams-battery.cnn">Powering a Formula E race.</a>
Williams Advanced Engineering also provide the batteries that power Formula E cars. You can watch a CNN interview with Williams Advanced Engineering's operations manager Gary Ekerold here: Powering a Formula E race.
© Vanda Electrics
The <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdendrobiummotors.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">Dendrobium</a> boasts a top speed in excess of 200 mph and a 0-60 mph acceration of 2.7 seconds, according to Vanda Electrics.
Dendrobium —
The Dendrobium boasts a top speed in excess of 200 mph and a 0-60 mph acceration of 2.7 seconds, according to Vanda Electrics.
© Vanda Motors/Williams Advanced Engineering
Back In January, California-based <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ff.com%2Fen%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Faraday Future</a> revealed its new FF91 model at the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ces.tech" target="_blank" target="_blank">Consumer Electronics Show</a> (CES) in Las Vegas.
Faraday Future's FF91 —
Back In January, California-based Faraday Future revealed its new FF91 model at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Faraday Future
CNN's Supercharged show was given a tour of the all-electric car by its chief designer Richard Kim and an exclusive peak at the interior. <br /><br /><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2Fvideos%2Ftv%2F2017%2F01%2F23%2Ffaraday-future-exclusive-backseat.cnn">Watch: Inside the FF91 </a>
Faraday Future's FF91 —
CNN's Supercharged show was given a tour of the all-electric car by its chief designer Richard Kim and an exclusive peak at the interior.

Watch: Inside the FF91
The FF91 is billed as the fastest electric production car in the world, going from 0-60 mph in 2.39 seconds, marginally quicker than the Tesla S which clocks 2.5 seconds in the same test. <br /><br /><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2017%2F01%2F19%2Fmotorsport%2Ffaraday-future-ff91-autonomous-electric-car-ces%2F">READ: FF91 blends speed, luxury and connectivity </a>
Faraday Future's FF91 —
The FF91 is billed as the fastest electric production car in the world, going from 0-60 mph in 2.39 seconds, marginally quicker than the Tesla S which clocks 2.5 seconds in the same test.

READ: FF91 blends speed, luxury and connectivity
Faraday Future
Faraday Future has investing heavily in electric cars. The striking FFZERO1 Concept car was shown off at the CES in Las Vegas in January 2016, and in October the company's team lined up on the grid for the start of the 2016-17 Formula E world championship.
Faraday Future FFZero1 Concept —
Faraday Future has investing heavily in electric cars. The striking FFZERO1 Concept car was shown off at the CES in Las Vegas in January 2016, and in October the company's team lined up on the grid for the start of the 2016-17 Formula E world championship.
Alex Wong/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
<a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tesla.com%2Fen_GB%2Fmodel3" target="_blank" target="_blank">Tesla</a> has received more than 350,000 pre-orders for its new Model 3 and expects to start <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.cnn.com%2F2016%2F12%2F13%2Ftechnology%2Fchevy-bolt-tesla-launch%2F">delivering the $35,000 car</a> to customers in 2017.
Tesla has received more than 350,000 pre-orders for its new Model 3 and expects to start delivering the $35,000 car to customers in 2017.
Bloomberg/Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Croatia-based Rimac Motors has announced that it's Concept One 'hypercar' will be getting an upgrade in 2018.
Rimac Concept One —
Croatia-based Rimac Motors has announced that it's Concept One 'hypercar' will be getting an upgrade in 2018.
© Rimac Motors
The upgrade, announced at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, will see the cars power increase by 100 kilowatts to 900 kilowatts, the company <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rimac-automobili.com%2Fen%2Fpress%2Freleases%2Frimac-automobili-at-the-2017-geneva-motor-show%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">said in a statement</a>.
Rimac Concept One —
The upgrade, announced at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, will see the cars power increase by 100 kilowatts to 900 kilowatts, the company said in a statement.
© Rimac Motors
Upgrades will enable the refined Concept One to reach 200 kph (124 mph) in six seconds, according to Rimac.
Rimac Concept One —
Upgrades will enable the refined Concept One to reach 200 kph (124 mph) in six seconds, according to Rimac.
© Rimac Motors
As well as visiting the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the team behind the car will be heading to New York, Shanghai and Goodwood's Festival of Speed in the UK.
Rimac Concept One —
As well as visiting the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the team behind the car will be heading to New York, Shanghai and Goodwood's Festival of Speed in the UK.
Rimac
The Concept S is essentially a GT version of the Concept One, featuring a big front splitter, air deflectors, side skirts, diffuser and a large rear spoiler. Rimac has no plans to make a new model in 2017 but will be looking to break world records. <br /><br />"The goal in the upcoming year is to break some records to show Concept One is the fastest production car ever -- not just the fastest electric car but the fastest among all other gas-powered cars," Rimac's COO Monika Mikac told CNN.
Rimac Concept S —
The Concept S is essentially a GT version of the Concept One, featuring a big front splitter, air deflectors, side skirts, diffuser and a large rear spoiler. Rimac has no plans to make a new model in 2017 but will be looking to break world records.

"The goal in the upcoming year is to break some records to show Concept One is the fastest production car ever -- not just the fastest electric car but the fastest among all other gas-powered cars," Rimac's COO Monika Mikac told CNN.
Rimac
The Chinese electric car maker and <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nio.io%2Fformulae" target="_blank" target="_blank">Formula E team </a>set a new electric car lap record at the Nurburgring with its <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nio.io%2Fhome" target="_blank" target="_blank">NIO EP9</a> hypercar in November and is set to launch a mass market car in 2017. The EV will take some of its design cues from the NIO EP9, the company says, but it will only be available in China initially.
NextEV NIO EP9 —
The Chinese electric car maker and Formula E team set a new electric car lap record at the Nurburgring with its NIO EP9 hypercar in November and is set to launch a mass market car in 2017. The EV will take some of its design cues from the NIO EP9, the company says, but it will only be available in China initially.
courtesy next ev
The NIO EP9 produces an impressive 1,340 horsepower and goes from 0-60 mph in just 2.7 seconds. On a full charge the car has a range of 265 miles (426 kilometers).
NextEV NIO EP9 —
The NIO EP9 produces an impressive 1,340 horsepower and goes from 0-60 mph in just 2.7 seconds. On a full charge the car has a range of 265 miles (426 kilometers).
NIO
Another supercar set to be unveiled at Geneva in March is the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.techrules-news.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">Techrules GT96</a> crafted by Italian auto designers Fabrizio and Giorgetto Giugiaro.<br />
Techrules GT96 —
Another supercar set to be unveiled at Geneva in March is the Techrules GT96 crafted by Italian auto designers Fabrizio and Giorgetto Giugiaro.
Techrules
The sleek chassis is complemented by a patent-protected <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.techrules-news.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">"TREV system" </a>-- a hybrid powertrain technology with a built-in turbine generator -- which will create electricity in addition to the power stored in the batteries, the company says.
Techrules GT96 —
The sleek chassis is complemented by a patent-protected "TREV system" -- a hybrid powertrain technology with a built-in turbine generator -- which will create electricity in addition to the power stored in the batteries, the company says.
Techrules
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhenrikfisker.org" target="_blank" target="_blank">Henrik Fisker</a> has created some of modern motoring's most desirable cars, including the Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage. The Fisker EMotion is an all-electric sports sedan which will boast a 400-mile (640-km) range, the company says.
Fisker EMotion —
Henrik Fisker has created some of modern motoring's most desirable cars, including the Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage. The Fisker EMotion is an all-electric sports sedan which will boast a 400-mile (640-km) range, the company says.
Fisker
The EMotion will feature a new electric power train layout with battery technology, constructed using graphene. The California-based automaker plans to unveil the car in <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhenrikfisker.org%2Fproducts%2Fproduction-cars%2Ffisker-emotion%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">mid-2017</a>.
Fisker EMotion —
The EMotion will feature a new electric power train layout with battery technology, constructed using graphene. The California-based automaker plans to unveil the car in mid-2017.
Fisker
San Diego-based <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdubucmotors.com%2Fen%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Dubuc Motors </a>is another small company with big electric dreams in 2017. The Tomahawk will boast a 300-mile (480-km) range and an impressive 0-60 mph time of three seconds.
Dubuc Tomahawk —
San Diego-based Dubuc Motors is another small company with big electric dreams in 2017. The Tomahawk will boast a 300-mile (480-km) range and an impressive 0-60 mph time of three seconds.
© Alain Beaulieu
Dubuc is set to launch a <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.startengine.com%2Fstartup%2Fdubuc-motors" target="_blank" target="_blank">crowdfunding campaign in early 2017</a> after self-financing the project for the last decade. With the help of investors, the company hopes to fine-tune the design, with the aim of unveiling the Tomahawk at November's Los Angeles Auto Show.
Dubuc Tomahawk —
Dubuc is set to launch a crowdfunding campaign in early 2017 after self-financing the project for the last decade. With the help of investors, the company hopes to fine-tune the design, with the aim of unveiling the Tomahawk at November's Los Angeles Auto Show.
© Alain Beaulieu
The electric supercars lighting up 2017

Story highlights

NIO EP9 breaks Nürburgring lap record for road-legal vehicles

Electric supercars boasts megawatt of power, equivalent to 1342 BHP

CNN  — 

When you’re going through “The Green Hell,” keep going.

An electric supercar has completed a lap of the legendary Nürburgring in six minutes 45.90 seconds, shaving off 2.1 seconds off the previous best time by a road-legal vehicle – set by the Radical SR8LM in 2009.

The NIO EP9 is a full half-minute quicker than the nearest EV challenger – Toyota’s TMG EV P002 – and can now lay claim to being the fastest electric road car on the planet.

“This is a fabulous achievement for NIO,” Gerry Hughes, head of performance and Next EV Formula E team principal said in a statement. “I am very proud of the team that has worked tirelessly to achieve this accolade.”

READ: Supercar feels ‘supersonic’

The EP9 boasts one megawatt of power, equivalent to 1342 BHP, and a top speed of 194 mph (312 kph).

Top Five Nürburgring Lap Times

1 - NextEV NIO EP9 (6:45.90)2 - Radical SR8LM (6:48.00)3 - Lamborghini Huracan Performante (6:52.01) 4 - Radical SR8 (6:56.08)5 - Porsche 918 Spyder (6:57.00)

At full throttle, it can accelerate from standstill to 124 mph (200 kph) in just 7.1 seconds.

The new lap record illustrates the importance of favorable conditions, with driver Peter Dumbreck taking 19.22 seconds off the EP9’s previous time, recorded last October in “inclement” weather.

NIO EP9 Records

2:40.33 — Circuit of the Americas, Autonomous Lap Record6:45.90 — Nürburgring, Lap Record

His new lap of the 12.9-mile (20.7-kilometer) German circuit is 35.73 seconds faster than the nearest Ferrari and more than 47 seconds faster than a Koenigsegg CCX.

Powered by four inboard electric motors, the EP9 also tops the four-wheel drive leaderboard, edging out the Lamborghini Huracan Performante.

READ: BMW joins Formula E electric revolution

But the absolute lap record holder at the Nurburgring remains the Porsche 956, built in 1980s for the FIA World Sportscar Championship.

During the 1983 “1000 km of Nürburgring” endurance race, Germany’s Stefan Bellof recorded a still-unbeaten six minutes 11.13 seconds.

The 73-turn circuit that winds its way through the Eifel mountains was nicknamed “The Green Hell” by triple Formula One world champion Jackie Stewart – winner of three German Grand Prix when races were staged at the track during the 1960s and 1970s.

Is the future of racing electric? Have your say on CNN Sport’s Facebook page.

Going forward, NIO plans to produce a limited run of ten EP9 supercars, made to order.

The price? $1.48 million.