3 ms·

Is that anything more than cooling? Obviously that huge grill on the prototype helps massively with that. I'm sure a Tesla that's not concerned with being a fun

Is that anything more than cooling? Obviously that huge grill on the prototype helps massively with that. I'm sure a Tesla that's not concerned with being a functional sedan could manage to dissipate enough heat to prevent that.

semi-extrinsic 9y ago
Choice of battery tech is a big one. Basically, you can do like Tesla and go with LiCoNiAlO2 to get the highest possible energy density, at the cost of higher internal resistance (i.e. dumping lots of current produces lots of heat). Or you can do like Formula-E cars (or RC helicopters, drones etc.) and go with LiFePO4 and sacrifice some range for the ability to dump massive amounts of current all the way to empty. Cooling is fine and dandy, but it's hard to make efficient cooling reach into the internals of batteries. Reducing heat buildup pays greater dividends.
- jdmichal 9y ago
  Ah, got it. Though it only worsens my confusion over why they can't dump enough current to do better than 0-60 in 5.5 seconds... Do those other technologies also have lower current output overall due to the lower energy density?
  - semi-extrinsic 9y ago
    No, the comparatively high 0-60 time is mainly because of the tiny engine - 148 bhp and 236 torques (in freedom units), versus 605 bhp and 687 torques for the top-spec Model S. Also the tires on this thing would just make a lot of noise and smoke if you tried putting 600+ torques through them. But putting it into perspective with some other great cars on the racetrack: the 2017 Honda Civic Type R is widely regarded as a bucket full of fun on a track, and would likely beat a Model S around the Nürburgring Nordschliefe even if the Model S didn't overheat; yet it "only" does 0-60 in 5.4 seconds. And in general, 0-60 isn't useful at all on an actual race track because if you're spending time doing less than 60 mph, you're Doing It Wrong. Keep in mind the aerodynamics (spoilers, splitters, diffusers etc.) that make racecars actually work, only become effective once you're doing at least 80 mph, preferrably a lot more. Take a look at Richard Hammond on the Top Gear episode where he gets to drive an actual F1 car to see what I mean. Mostly he spends his time not being able to go around corners because he's driving too slowly. https://youtu.be/kUhB0JKjJrQ https://youtu.be/kUhB0JKjJrQ

semi-extrinsic 9y ago

Choice of battery tech is a big one. Basically, you can do like Tesla and go with LiCoNiAlO2 to get the highest possible energy density, at the cost of higher internal resistance (i.e. dumping lots of current produces lots of heat). Or you can do like Formula-E cars (or RC helicopters, drones etc.) and go with LiFePO4 and sacrifice some range for the ability to dump massive amounts of current all the way to empty. Cooling is fine and dandy, but it's hard to make efficient cooling reach into the internals of batteries. Reducing heat buildup pays greater dividends.

jdmichal 9y ago
Ah, got it. Though it only worsens my confusion over why they can't dump enough current to do better than 0-60 in 5.5 seconds... Do those other technologies also have lower current output overall due to the lower energy density?
- semi-extrinsic 9y ago
  No, the comparatively high 0-60 time is mainly because of the tiny engine - 148 bhp and 236 torques (in freedom units), versus 605 bhp and 687 torques for the top-spec Model S. Also the tires on this thing would just make a lot of noise and smoke if you tried putting 600+ torques through them. But putting it into perspective with some other great cars on the racetrack: the 2017 Honda Civic Type R is widely regarded as a bucket full of fun on a track, and would likely beat a Model S around the Nürburgring Nordschliefe even if the Model S didn't overheat; yet it "only" does 0-60 in 5.4 seconds. And in general, 0-60 isn't useful at all on an actual race track because if you're spending time doing less than 60 mph, you're Doing It Wrong. Keep in mind the aerodynamics (spoilers, splitters, diffusers etc.) that make racecars actually work, only become effective once you're doing at least 80 mph, preferrably a lot more. Take a look at Richard Hammond on the Top Gear episode where he gets to drive an actual F1 car to see what I mean. Mostly he spends his time not being able to go around corners because he's driving too slowly. https://youtu.be/kUhB0JKjJrQ https://youtu.be/kUhB0JKjJrQ