On the heels of a pretty dense seventeen-page document outlining Bentley Motors’ commitment to raising its fleet fuel economy and lowering carbon dioxide emissions comes tangible proof that someone at Crewe is working hard to turn the company’s green promises into green reality.
A skunkworks team comprised of ten or so young apprentices at Bentley (six of whom are pictured after the break) gave up weekends and evenings to build the small wonder you see here: the supremely slick, battery-powered Continental DC electric car.
With a positively gorgeous carbon fiber composite body riding on a four-wheel single-wishbone fixed suspension and 1 x 16-inch Michelin low-rolling-resistance tires, the Continental DC (as in Direct Current) moves under the power of a 24-volt electric motor (from a motorized wheelchair, in fact) producing 0.5 horsepower and 5.1 pound-feet of torque and juiced by a pair of 12-volt batteries.
It looks like a Soap Box Derby racer, but don’t be fooled: The diminutive Conti DC (which tips the scales at 265 pounds, not including the driver) can hit a swift 40 mph under its own power, no hill required.
Naturally, the cockpit is trimmed in supple hide and Alcantara faux suede with contrasting diamond stitching. It is a Bentley, after all.
More after the break, including photos and complete specifications, courtesy of Bentley Motors.
The Conti DC earned the Bentley team a special “Spirit of Greenpower” after running in the four-hour Greenpower Corporate Challenge at the venerable Goodwood racing circuit in Sussex, competing against cars from fifteen schools and nine other corporations.
From here, the littlest Bentley and the Greenpower Team is set to compete in the upcoming Formula 24+ season, which consists of eight 90-minute endurance races, the last one at Goodwood. The series is sort of an IROC for EVs, requiring all competing cars to use identical 24-volt electric motors powered by two 12-volt batteries. Racers must be between the ages of 16 and 24.
For (a lot) more info on the team and its car, check out http://www.bentleygreenpower.com/
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
MODEL TYPE
Single Seater
POWER
Type 24v Wheelchair motor (Regulation)
Installation Transversely mounted, One-wheel drive
Power 240 Watt
Torque 7 Nm
Fuel Source 2 x 12 v Lead Acid Batterys
TRANSMISSION
Type Continuous one-wheel drive
Gearbox Nuvinci CVP
Ratios Infinitely variable between 0.5 under and 1.75 overdrive
PERFORMANCE
Top speed 40mph (64km/h).
SUSPENSION
Front Single wishbone rigid suspension
Rear Single wishbone rigid suspension
STEERING
Type Rack & pinion
Turns lock to lock 1
Turning circle (curb to curb) 19.2m
BRAKES
Rear 160mm ventilated disc (to single wheel)
BODY & CHASSIS
Construction Carbon Fibre monocoque
Length 1420mm
Width (inc. mirrors) 1000mm (82.76in)
Weight 120 Kg
Height 500mm
Wheelbase 1300mm
Front track 1000mm
Rear track 1000mm
Wheels Custom made 16” carbon fibre
TIRES
Michelin Eco-Marathon specials
FUEL CONSUMPTION/EMISSIONS
Fuel consumption 2 hours per battery set
Carbon dioxide emissions 0g/km
 |
| Bentley Electric Car |
With a positively gorgeous carbon fiber composite body riding on a four-wheel single-wishbone fixed suspension and 1 x 16-inch Michelin low-rolling-resistance tires, the Continental DC (as in Direct Current) moves under the power of a 24-volt electric motor (from a motorized wheelchair, in fact) producing 0.5 horsepower and 5.1 pound-feet of torque and juiced by a pair of 12-volt batteries.
 |
| Bentley Electric Car |
Naturally, the cockpit is trimmed in supple hide and Alcantara faux suede with contrasting diamond stitching. It is a Bentley, after all.
More after the break, including photos and complete specifications, courtesy of Bentley Motors.
The Conti DC earned the Bentley team a special “Spirit of Greenpower” after running in the four-hour Greenpower Corporate Challenge at the venerable Goodwood racing circuit in Sussex, competing against cars from fifteen schools and nine other corporations.
From here, the littlest Bentley and the Greenpower Team is set to compete in the upcoming Formula 24+ season, which consists of eight 90-minute endurance races, the last one at Goodwood. The series is sort of an IROC for EVs, requiring all competing cars to use identical 24-volt electric motors powered by two 12-volt batteries. Racers must be between the ages of 16 and 24.
For (a lot) more info on the team and its car, check out http://www.bentleygreenpower.com/
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
 |
| Bentley Electric Car |
MODEL TYPE
Single Seater
POWER
Type 24v Wheelchair motor (Regulation)
Installation Transversely mounted, One-wheel drive
Power 240 Watt
Torque 7 Nm
Fuel Source 2 x 12 v Lead Acid Batterys
TRANSMISSION
Type Continuous one-wheel drive
Gearbox Nuvinci CVP
Ratios Infinitely variable between 0.5 under and 1.75 overdrive
PERFORMANCE
Top speed 40mph (64km/h).
SUSPENSION
Front Single wishbone rigid suspension
Rear Single wishbone rigid suspension
STEERING
Type Rack & pinion
Turns lock to lock 1
Turning circle (curb to curb) 19.2m
BRAKES
Rear 160mm ventilated disc (to single wheel)
BODY & CHASSIS
Construction Carbon Fibre monocoque
Length 1420mm
Width (inc. mirrors) 1000mm (82.76in)
Weight 120 Kg
Height 500mm
Wheelbase 1300mm
Front track 1000mm
Rear track 1000mm
Wheels Custom made 16” carbon fibre
TIRES
Michelin Eco-Marathon specials
FUEL CONSUMPTION/EMISSIONS
Fuel consumption 2 hours per battery set
Carbon dioxide emissions 0g/km
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