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Electric Ariel Nomad created as one-off technology showcase

Leading automotive engineering firm BorgWarner has converted an Ariel Nomad off-roader into a fully electric vehicle. The one-off machine was produced as a showcase for electric powertrain technology developed by the US company and its partners. It swaps the 235bhp Honda-built 2.5-litre petrol engine usually found in the Nomad for an electric system that uses two motors to deliver a total of 268bhp.  The converted Nomad is rear-wheel drive, with each motor independently driving a rear wheel through two separate eDriveGear gear sets managed by torque vectoring. BorgWarner says the set-up offers “more power and durability”. The motors draw power from a liquid-cooled 350V 30kWh power pack. BorgWarner says the machine’s extensive use of torque vectoring through the electric powertrain improves steering response, and allows for regenerative braking to extend range. The British-built Nomad was chosen for the project in part because the open-top design makes it easy for BorgWarner’s team to easily install and remove components, and it is purely intended as a one-off showcase. Kahan Yilmaz, BorgWarner’s tech boss, said the converted Nomad was a “high-voltage demonstration” that “gives us a fantastic tool to showcase our extensive capabilities, collaborate with industry partners and evaluate current and future technology at a system level”. Ariel was not involved in the project, and is currently working on a fully electric machine of its own: a 1180bhp
Origin: Electric Ariel Nomad created as one-off technology showcase

Opel created a slick new version of the ‘A-Team’ van

In order to generate some buzz for its not-so-captivating fourth-gen multipurpose van, the Zafira Life, Opel has created a concept inspired by that 1980s TV series starring Mr. T and some white dudes that didn’t quite stick around pop culture the same way. Introducing the O-Team Zafira Life. Instead of the black, grey and red colour scheme of the original A-Team’s GMC cargo van, the O-Team Zafira Life wears white on dark blue, with vinyl over the rear windows to create the illusion of a panel van, and a neon yellow stripe and neon highlights on the grille, logo, wheels and throughout the interior. The front-wheel-drive van sits lowered on neon-accented 20-inch alloy wheels, with a front push bar, side sill extensions and, of course, that awesome-by-way-of-ridiculous rear roof spoiler. Speaking of awesomely ridiculous, the O-Team Zafira Life is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine that makes 177 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque but, thanks to a sound module “with the vocal chords of a V8 petrol engine” and a specially made tailpipe, sings like the original cargo van. The O-version is actually more powerful than the original A-make, too, as the OG GMC V8 made just 160 horsepower and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. Ultimately, it’s not actually for sale, but does serve its purpose of demonstrating the mod-friendly nature of Opel’s cargo van. Pity the fool who doesn’t see that.
Origin: Opel created a slick new version of the ‘A-Team’ van