lighter – All about car

Williams Advanced Engineering has developed a new type of lithium ion battery module that could make automotive battery packs up to 30 percent lighter and 37 percent more energy dense. The new module, unveiled at the annual Cenex low carbon vehicle event in Bedforshire, could have wide-reaching benefits if the tech is licenced to EV manufacturers. The innovation means a battery of the same weight as a conventional unit can deliver longer range without compromising power, or higher power without compromising range. A test battery using 16 modules has a storage capacity of 60kWh, produces peak power of 550kW for 20 seconds and peak regeneration of 550kW for 10 seconds. The Adaptive Multi-Chem module is in the development phase and, says Williams Advanced Engineering Technical Director, Paul McNamara, “we could be manufacturing in a small series of around 50 units in the next six to 12 months.” The pack is intended initially for use in high performance premium electric sports cars and the hope is that, as demand grows, the technology will trickle down into the mainstream. The modules could also see service in motorsport and aerospace where endurance and power combined with low weight are priorities. Lithium ion battery packs are usually made up of a single type of cell, each with the same chemistry, energy density and power output. Cells are arranged in modules and the modules are assembled into a complete pack. The Williams design uses two different types of cell chemistry arranged in two separate blocks within the module. Widely used Samsung 21700 30T cylindrical cells provide good energy density and more specialised high performance pouch cells from A123 systems provide the high power. The pouch cells provide the fast release of energy needed for strong acceleration and, as they become depleted, are topped up again from the energy stored in the Samsung cells. Each module has its own integrated, bi-directional DC/DC converter to control the process of energy transfer between the two types of cell. All the control software is written by WAE in-house, each module has a self-contained liquid cooling circuit and can be supplied to customers ready to assemble into battery packs. McNamara concedes that, because of the added complexity and integrated electronics “the cost will be higher than a conventional module but we hope to get economies of scale as number increase.” The new design draws from experience gathered in developing batteries for the Williams F1 team and latterly as sole supplier to the FIA Formula E race series, as well as involvement in a number of electric vehicle
Origin: Williams reveals lighter yet longer-range EV battery module

Gordan Murray Automotive (GMA) has more fully revealed its plans for its analog supercar, a machine that’s rather apparently the spiritual successor to the McLaren F1 in everything but name. GMA was started just two years ago in 2017, but as you might’ve guessed, it’s headed by automotive genius Gordan Murray. He’s most famously known for designing the original McLaren F1 supercar of the ’90s, but says this new coupe will be his magnum opus, and the perfect way to mark the 50 years he’s spent in the motorsports engineering business. It’s called the T.50, and despite its impressive specifications, this will be a proper old-school supercar. According to Murray, the T.50 will be the most aerodynamically advanced supercar on the road, borrowing technology from vehicles like the Brabham fan car, and of course the F1. Taken altogether, those components will make it the purest, lightest, most driver-focused supercar ever, he says. The T.50 will weigh only 980 kg, which is a couple hundred kilograms less than the F1. Powering the mighty supercar will be a 3.9-litre V12 which produces only 650 horsepower, which seems a bit weak compared to the big numbers we’re used to with today’s supercars. In fact, that’s only 23 horsepower more than the original F1 made over 20 years ago, but with the weight deficit, there should still be some considerable performance on the table. The engine will be mid-mounted, and coupled to a manual gearbox, with power going to the rear wheels only. As advanced as the car is, from the profile we can see several design elements carried over from the original F1, which is a testament to just what a revolution that vehicle was. Of course, just because it’s a little old-school doesn’t mean the car is going to be cheap. In fact, the price is an eye-watering 2 million pounds ($3.4 million), and only 100 will be built. Deliveries are expected to start in early
Origin: Gordon Murray’s new car is like a McLaren F1 but more aerodynamic, lighter, better