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Zero to Sixty in 1.85 Seconds – World’s Fastest Car is Electric

March 06, 2019 by Paul Shepard

With the testing program that started at the beginning of the year, the Rimac team continues with hard work on the development of the C_Two, as they introduce new technologies at this week’s Geneva Motor Show, and undergo hundreds of on-going tests and procedures, making sure that all initial targets and global homologation requirements are met and exceeded. Launched last year, the Rimac C_Two is the world’s most powerful electric hypercar, demonstrating the company’s expertise in high-performance vehicle systems.

Powered by a four-motor powertrain system with 1,914HP and instantly available 2300Nm of torque, the C_Two accelerates 0-60 mph in 1.85 seconds, and reaches 300kph in 11.8 seconds. The 120kWh battery capacity enables 550km of range in WLTP cycle (650km NEDC). These figures have taken the world by surprise, but with Rimac’s new development efforts, the C_Two can, and will, see upgrades.

With prototypes in production, the C_Two will soon take its final shape, and in 2020 bring its performance to the streets around the world showing just how far (and fast!) the technology of the all-electric future can go.

The C_Two displayed throughout Geneva Motor Show 2019 is finished in Galactic White with deep blue tinted carbon-fiber elements. The interior is handcrafted in-house, with matte carbon fiber complimenting petroleum blue leather and contrast stitching. This specification speaks for the elegant, yet electrifying profile of the C_Two.

When all the dramatic and aerodynamically efficient design is out of the way, what remains beneath the skin is equally impressive: the carbon-fibre monocoque and the powertrain it holds. Designed and engineered from scratch by Rimac’s in-house team, the C_Two’s full carbon fibre monocoque is the biggest single carbon-piece in the industry – with the full battery and powertrain integrated within the moncoque. Together with the roof, it weights under 200kg.

The architecture of the monocoque features a bonded carbon roof, structural reinforcements and crumple-zones for front, rear and side-impact, as well as front and rear aluminium crash structures. The 120kWh battery pack is an integrated, structural element, contributing to the impressive torsional stiffness of 8,000kgm/deg.

Battery pack

Double wishbone suspension with electronically-controlled dampers provides a smooth and comfortable ride, with four electric motors powering each individual wheel giving both four-wheel drive and unprecedented levels of dynamic control.

150+ kW motor systems can be used as an independent-wheel drive system for Torque Vectoring applications but can also be matched to a differential or directly coupled to a shaft for a more traditional propulsion concept.

The monocoque is the first of its kind to be made in one piece and integrating the battery as a structural part, with front and rear suspension being attached to the same carbon structure (no sub-frames). To achieve this, a highly complex structure and material mix with 2,200 plys, 222 aluminum inserts and multi-curing process were necessary. The highly complex design and development deliver a result that is light and exceptionally strong.

Designing, engineering and producing key electrification systems for the high-performance vehicles remains the mission of Rimac. Doubling in size over the course of 2018, this no-longer automotive startup is now supplying their battery and drivetrain systems, hardware, and software to many partners in the automotive industry, powering the most extreme performing EV and HEV hypercars on the market. The goal is to ever deliver innovative technology to the high-performance market, starting with the crown jewel – the Rimac C_Two.