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Encyclopedia > AC Propulsion tzero
The AC Propulsion tzero with the top off
The AC Propulsion tzero with the top off

The tzero is a hand-made electric sports car produced by the U.S. company AC Propulsion. It is based on the Piontek Sportech kit car. The tzero uses a reinforced steel space frame, double wishbone independent suspension, rack and pinion steering, AC-150 drivetrain, a fiberglass body, and a single overall gear ratio of 9:1. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (3353x2705, 1553 KB) Summary ACP tzero Photos with express permission from Tom Gage for use at Wikipedia. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (3353x2705, 1553 KB) Summary ACP tzero Photos with express permission from Tom Gage for use at Wikipedia. ... // Battery electric vehicles or BEVs are electric vehicles whose main energy storage is in the chemical energy of batteries. ... AC Propulsion is a San Dimas, California company founded in 1992 by Alan Cocconi who is currently the companys CEO. They produce goods such as electric vehicle drive systems and their top of the line electric sports car, the AC Propulsion TZero. ... Simplified space frame roof with the nearest unit polygon hightlighted in blue A space frame is a truss-like, lightweight rigid structure constructed from interlocking struts in a geometric pattern. ... A double wishbone suspension is an automobile independent suspension design using two parallel wishbone-shaped arms to locate the wheel. ...


Because the car recharges its batteries when the throttle is released — slowing sharply as energy is recaptured — it can be driven hard using only the accelerator pedal. Also, if the car detects a turn with more than half a g-force (5 m/s²), it eases the rear-wheel regenerative braking to prevent slides.

New Lithium Ion battery pack
New Lithium Ion battery pack

The version debuted by AC Propulsion in August 2003 is powered by 6,800 lightweight lithium-ion laptop computer batteries, giving it a 300 mile (480 km) range. Lighter than the original version by 700 pounds (320 kg), the 2003 edition goes from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds. The single gear ratio limits the car's maximum velocity to just over 140 mph (225 km/h) at 13,000 rpm with proper gearing, though it has never been tested at greater than 105 mph (169 km/h). The base price of the car is USD $220,000. Image File history File links Acp_tzero_LH_wo_cover. ... Image File history File links Acp_tzero_LH_wo_cover. ... Stack of Rectangular A&TB 1050mAh Prismatic Li-ion Cells LGQ863448H. Lithium ion batteries (sometimes abbreviated Li-Ion) are a type of rechargeable battery commonly used in consumer electronics. ...

Original Lead-Acid battery pack
Original Lead-Acid battery pack

The original version of the roadster runs on 28 Optima Yellow Top Lead Acid batteries which produce 200 horsepower (150 kW) and 177 lbf·ft (240 N·m) of torque at 336 volts which rockets the 1040 kg car from 0 to 60 mph in 4.07 seconds. The single gear ratio limits the car's maximum velocity to 90 mph (145 km/h) at 12,000 rpm, although it is said that early prototypes fitted with multiple gear ratios could hit 155 mph (250 km/h). Even still, it is capable of completing a quarter mile (400 m) drag race in 13.24 seconds. The expected range per charge of the tzero with the batteries it comes with is 80 to 100 miles (130 to 160 km) as a result of consuming only 180 watt hours per mile (895 J/km) (DC) on the highway and due to regenerative braking. Within a single hour, the car can be charged from 0-95%. The base price of the car due to low volume production is USD $80,000. Image File history File linksMetadata Acp_tzero_dsc00309. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Acp_tzero_dsc00309. ... A sealed lead acid battery. ...

ACP Backtracking Genset trailer
ACP Backtracking Genset trailer

AC Propulsion also has a backtracking, range extending, gas fueled trailer, making it a gas-electric series hybrid. The trailer used a 500 cc Kawasaki engine with a 9.5 U.S. gallon (40 liter) fuel tank and achieved 30 to 35 mpg over at least 20,000 highway miles. It is rated at 20 kW DC output and can maintain 60 to 80 mph. Video footage of the backtracking feature, which allows drivers to easily back a trailer through a set of slalom cones, can be seen at [1]. Image File history File linksMetadata Acp_tzero_DSC00467. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Acp_tzero_DSC00467. ... Genset trailers are gassoline fueled trailers with generators which can be hitched up to an electric vehicle and provide the average energy required to give the vehicle unlimited range. ...


The name comes from t0, the mathematical symbol for a starting point in time. T subscript Zero (t0) is a symbol used in mathematics referring to the starting point or the beginning of time within a system. ... In mathematics, a set of symbols is frequently used in mathematical expressions. ...


Due to high production costs, however, AC Propulsion ceased to produce the tzero. Three were produced, one of which is owned by the company itself and the other two were sold.


External links

  • tzero Homepage (AC Propulsion)
  • Video of tzero racing a 1996 Corvette C5
  • Video of tzero racing a 1996 Corvette C5
  • Video of tzero racing a Porsche Carerra 4
  • Video of tzero racing a Ferrari
  • Video of tzero at a Drag Strip
  • Video of the tzero being driven by T. Considine
  • Video of the tzero being driven at Mt. Wilson
  • Lots of Zoom, With Batteries The New York Times, September 19, 2003

  Results from FactBites:
 
AC Propulsion TZero | Sports Cars (137 words)
AC Propulsion built three prototype tzeros, and considered selling tzeros to the public, but production plans were dropped in mid-2003.
The electric powered AC Propulsion TZero is built on a very capable chassis from the
The TZero has a 100 mile range at 60 miles an hour, and once power is depleted the TZero can be recharged from any common 120 or 240-V outlet.
AC Propulsion tzero at AllExperts (687 words)
The tzero is a hand-made electric sports car produced by the U.S. company AC Propulsion.
The tzero uses a reinforced steel space frame, double wishbone independent suspension, rack and pinion steering, AC-150 drivetrain, a fiberglass body, and a single overall gear ratio of 9:1.
The version debuted by AC Propulsion in August 2003 is powered by 6,800 lightweight lithium-ion cells, similar to those that make up the battery packs of laptop computers, giving it a 300 mile (480 km) range.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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