This project combines some of the concepts I'd been exploring towards the end of last year: small, lightweight single seat sportscars. I wanted this one to be electric powered - which allows for a more radical distributed package and silhouette than a typical gas burner. Tackling this one meant a very open chassis construction, which in turn meant there was more to model and develop - it's been a demanding assignment, but a lot of fun seeing it come together.
Central to the design is a lightweight chassis floorplate with carbon fibre drivers tub. Propulsion comes from electric wheelmotors topped up with a small IC engine for power boost when required. Emphasis is on short range, high performance driving - especially suited to track days, sprints and hillclimbs.
. . . but how hot can you handle? Do you like it Jalapeno Red hot, or are you fully committed to Volcanic Lava Orange? - Budget permitting ;-)
Even in it's "regular" roadgoing guise, the Antares 730 looks purposeful and assertive in Jalapeno Red. Surely a must for any connoisseur's collection?
Styling evokes the spirit of the scorpion - with segmented body-shell elements driven by functional requirements. Overall stance is wide and low to the ground to give lowest possible CofG, and an exhilarating driving experience even at lower speeds. The high tail mounted rear wing with adaptive Aero ensures the car stays glued to the ground no matter what demands are thrown at it.
The driver sits low in the chassis. The cockpit itself is snug, holding the driver in place with a 4 point racing harness. Visibility of the road ahead is superb due to the full length auto tinting canopy screen. The view rearward is controlled via on-board cameras and displays within the dashboard instrumentation pods.
The drive-train is all electric, which offers full-time 4WD if required - however power can be manually split fore/aft to suit all driving styles or left in auto mode where it will adapt to suit the evolving demands of the terrain.
The car is designed and conceived to deliver a purposeful no-frills, visceral driving experience. Particular emphasis has been made to strip back any unnecessary or irrelevant features which don't contribute directly to delivering optimal performance and minimum weight.
Exterior bodywork is minimal - design is achieved through a lightweight composite construction made from recycled plastic interwoven with carbon strands to provide additional stiffness.
Fully laden, the kerb weight is 730Kg - giving an outstanding power to weight ratio, coupled with nimble Go-Kart driving dynamics.
Additional quick-release batteries can be slotted into the chassis to extend the range - allowing the car to tackle circuit-based endurance events.
The production run for this model is intentionally limited. Only 730 will be delivered Worldwide - of which 30 enhanced variants have been reserved for a one-make racing series supporting next years Formula E calendar. Competition on the track is set to be fierce and highly entertaining, so this limited run of vehicles are already proving to be highly sought ater.
Design detailing and manufacturing quality throughout is precise and thoroughly resolved - intended to purposefully raise the credibility and desirability of Electric sportscars. In doing so, Antares Industries have redefined the State of the Art.
Game on!
. . .and this projects "out-take" helps confirm that even when you kinda know exactly what you want at the outset, it still takes a bit of iteration and exploration to ensure that what you're doing is as good as it possibly can be. I tend to run a simple "A or B" decisionmaking process throughout the design development phase. Best design wins - but all geometry gets reviewed regularly as the design progresses to make sure it's still up to scratch and in keeping wih its surroundings. When I start running out of obvious things to change, it usually means it's time to hit the render button.
Scorpions on tour . . .
