An eight-wheel car – a stuff of fantasy and sci-fi flicks and now it’s as real as its attempt at ridiculous speeds using alternative energy. A team of Japanese engineers have built this eight wheeled electric monster you see here and proved along the way that an eight wheeled car is twice the car a normal one is.
Running on lithium-ion batteries, the appropriately named Eliica is capable of a top speed of 402km/h and a contradictory range of 321km. It achieves this speed using electric motors that power all eight wheels individually. Each electric motor produces 80hp, and by now you should be able to understand how the Eliica achieves its speed and 0-100 time of under four seconds. Just try fixing an 80hp engine to each of your wheels then times that with two. But take note, that no information is available on how it corners and that’s not a good thing because judging from it’s looks, even Bugatti like handling will be an achievement.
Initially developed in 2003, two examples of the four-seater hypercar currently exist but the team is working overtime to raise sponsorship to build more. According to our source, the team may just get its break as the Japanese government’s interest in electric vehicles grow. If and when that happens, 200 units will be made for a price of around USD$255,000. Check out the development video below and translate it for us if you can, please.
Source: WorldCarFans
