British electric vehicle start-up Alcraft Motor Company has revealed details of its first car, the high-performance Alcraft GT.
Production is projected to begin in 2019 and the company is launching a crowdfunding campaign offering members of the public an opportunity to play a part in the development of the car and a new British brand.
The Alcraft GT is described as ‘sporty yet practical’ – with a shooting brake-style rear giving access to a 500-litre luggage area, and a 300-mile range.
The sleek design features clean surfaces and visible structural elements. The exposed carbon-fibre B-pillars and roof structure are part of the aesthetic but serve as both a safety cell and a device to create an exceptionally light cabin, with a roof made largely of glass and a wraparound front screen.
The concept is battery-only, but has been designed and engineered so that a range-extender could be added and it can also be produced as a 2+2 rather than a two-seater.
The emphasis was on developing a car with outstanding handling and dynamics, utilising a three-motor, four-wheel drive powertrain, with the batteries located in a T-shaped pack between and behind the driver and passenger seats.
Virtual engineering predicts figures of 840 lb ft torque and 600hp, translating into an estimated 0-62mph time of 3.5 secs.
Alcraft Motor Company was founded by businessman David Alcraft. He has put together a team including Charles Morgan, previously of Morgan Motor Company, ex-SMMT CEO Christopher Macgowan, designer Matt Humphries (also ex-Morgan), and ex-Toyota, Daewoo and Michelin senior executive, Mark Carbery.
The engineering partner is Silverstone-based Delta Motorsport, whose expertise in electric drivetrains and battery systems sees it working both with global car manufacturers and at the highest levels of motor sport. Other partners include specialist British companies Sevcon and KS Composites, while agreements are in place with major Tier 1 suppliers including Continental for safety systems and Michelin for tyres.
“We want to build a British car company which brings together traditional skills and high technology for the emerging low carbon car market”, says Alcraft Motor founder and managing director David Alcraft.
“We’re about combining great design, outstanding dynamics and the visceral thrill of electric powertrains to create products that are high in performance and desirability but very usable. We hope this will establish a niche For Alcraft Motor in Britain’s renowned specialist low-volume car industry.”
With the design of the Alcraft GT complete and virtual engineering undertaken for core systems and regulatory requirements, the next step is to build a full running prototype.
The business is launching a rewards-based crowdfunding campaign to support this, with the balance coming from equity funding. The crowdfunding bands start at £10 and goes up to £25,000. Rewards include VIP days at Silverstone with rides in a development mule for the GT, featuring similar battery, motor and torque vectoring technologies to those which will be in the GT, and exclusive electric bikes by Cyclotricity and wristwatches by Matthew Humphries Design.
The 1/3 scale foam model made for design verification purposes will be on display at the Alcraft Motor Company booth at the Cenex Low Carbon Vehicle Event at the Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire on 6-7 Sep.