I’m adding this to the page as I will want to talk about it later and need something in the archive to refer to.
Regardless of my needs, though, have a read through this because this could be one of the reasons why Koenigsegg are so interested in Saab and what they’ve got to offer.
Can you see this with a Saab badge?
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The NLV Quant – By Koenigsegg
Swedish supercar marque Koenigsegg and NLV Solar AG, a pioneer in photovoltaics and accumulator technology, have joined forces to create the Quant. The brainchild of this marriage of power and energy is a four-seater solar electric car. A full-scale model is to be unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Salon, with the two companies currently working on running prototypes to scale up for series production.
Two companies, one vision
The project was born when NLV Solar AG commissioned the environmentally aware Swedish supercar manufacturer Koenigsegg to develop and design a “car of the future”, incorporating NLV Solar’s groundbreaking, proprietary technology in the felds of photovoltaics and accumulators.
In 2008, the two companies signed a co-operation agreement to create a test vehicle for a unique propulsion system which makes optimum use of
the solar technologies developed by NLV Solar AG, allied with an innovative accumulator unit. The groundbreaking thin-flm solar-cell coating is being implemented in one of Koenigsegg’s signature avant-garde designs.
Groundbreaking technology
The advances in electric power generation and storage, combined with the aerodynamic, futuristic Koenigsegg design and engineering, will enable the NLV Quant to charge the FAES(Flow Accumulator Energy Storage) to full capacity in 20 minutes and give the vehicle a range of 500 kilometres. The additional power input from the invisible, thin-flm photovoltaic coating that covers the body of the car, further increases the range potential.
The revolutionary solar and FAES systems enable the design of a fully electrical vehicle, rather than relying on more commonplace hybrid solutions. This also simplifes the drive train layout and packaging, as only one propulsion system is needed.
Given the size of the The NLV Quant, it has an unusually low frontal surface of around 2 m2. This, combined with a drag coeffcient of around CD 0.27 and the effciency of the FAES, will enable the car to cover long distances between charges.
Style and substance
The ingenious Koenigsegg design provides a unique blend of supercar looks and the space of a traditional luxury sedan. The car will carry four large adults in comfort and also feature a spacious boot at the rear.
The gull-wing doors set the NLV Quant apart from any other four-seaters on the market. As well as being a stylish feature, they also make entry to the car more ergonomic, thanks to the lack of B-pillars.
They provide easy access to both the front and rear passenger seats. The unique split side-lite feature allows all passenger to open and close the front and rear side windows separately, despite the fact that there is only one door per side.
Unique features as standard
The NLV Quant is rear-wheel drive, with four-wheel brake regeneration, ABS and ESP. It is powered by two electrical AC induction electric motors with variable frequency drive and in-line planetary step down drive, one for each rear wheel. The twin-motor design eliminates the need for bevel gears or a differential, further simplifying the lay-out and giving constant and controlled power proportioning to the rear wheels, in both drive and coast mode.
The projected curb weight of 1780 kg is very light considering that it is a battery-powered, four-seater, luxury performance car. This is partly due to the two-motor installation which weighs in at only 140 kg – a remarkable achievement considering the power output of 512 hp and maximum torque of 715 nm which allows the Quant to deliver 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and hit a top speed of 275 km/h.
Another reason for the car’s low weight is the utilisation of a carbon-fibre monotube backbone chassis, construction, which houses the FAES system safely inside the centreline of the car at the lowest possible position, bringing down the centre of gravity and central mass point. The FAES only weigh around 450 kg and contain no hazardous material or heavy metals.
Features
- Range of up to 500 km thanks to the new FAES technology, with rapid charging and unlimited charging cycles
- Thin-flm photovoltaic coating of car body
- Asynchronous motor technology
- Minimised running and manufacturing costs thanks to new technology
- Optimised safety
- Carbon chassi and Aluminium/carbon body.
- Unique/functional design, vehicle comfort and loading capacity
Preliminary Specs
- Power: 512 bhp
- Torque: 715 nm
- 0-100 km/h: 5.2 seconds
- Top speed: 275 km/h
- Curb weight: 1780 kg
- Wheelbase 3102 mm
- Track – Front: 1730 mm Rear: 1729 mm
- Wheels/Tires – Front: 245/35 – 22″ , Rear: 265/35 – 22″ – low friction tires by Michelin
- Width: 2016 mm incl rear-view mirrors, Length: 4879 mm, Height: 1335 mm
- Rear-wheel drive
- Four-wheel brake regeneration
- Minimum 6 smart airbags, ABS and ESP
- 3 infotainment panels(one in front, two for the rear)
- Adjustable rear seats
- 3 zone Climate Control system
- Large leg room in the rear
- LED front and rear lights
- Body covered in NLV photovoltaic thin flm solar coating
- NLV mobile redox Flow Accumulator Energy Storage system – FAES
- Space for 4 full grown individuals
- Price: TBD
Car of the future
The NLV Quant is proof that cutting-edge supercars can combine speed, comfort and enjoyment with environmental integrity. And perhaps most crucially, given the supply vulnerability and price volatility of oil-based automotive fuels, it implements the mobile energy technology of the future. The new car reinforces Koenigsegg’s position at the forefront of innovative high-end automotive design and manufacture, with a conscious mind.. It also provides a showcase for NLV Solar’s groundbreaking work in developing applications for photovoltaic technology.
For more information about NLV Solar AG and Koenigsegg, visit: www.nlv-solar.com and www.koenigsegg.com.
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Koenigsegg do have a HUGE advantage over SAAB when it comes to these type of veichles as they actually can sell the car for more many money then was spent building it. However; Koenigsegg can be a good technology playground for engineers from SAAB.
(Carbon fibre chassi – Anybody want to guess the cost of the “platform”? Yeeeeeeeezz…)
Will we get Hirsch-tuned Koenigseggs?
There is no mass market for these still pretty experimental full-electric cars. Recharging times probably only apply when you connect the battery directly to a power plant (household currency is too weak)
and the range was calculated with three elks pushing.
There is no battery technology available yet admitted to the job. There are some advancements on the horizon, though. One researcher has found out why it takes so long to recharge the batteries and suggests a special coating to one of the electrodes (was that the anode?), and others propose the use of nano wires (gladly, for the other electrode) to increase the capacity by a factor of ten. But all this is scientific research and far from application.
Further, there must be asked how the limited energy production via solar energy is most efficiently used. It might turn out that the use of high voltage power lines and heavy batteries is still less effcient than to use this energy directly in the plant to produce liquid or solid fuels (methanol or nano particle metal powders, e.g.).
While I don’t know in what corner of the world you all live, my flat is 50-100 away from were I have to park my car, and I just don’t see how I could recharge it. I guestimate that this applies to quite a percentage of all Saab drivers.
So, in summary, I don’t see why Koeniggsegg would need a mass fabrication plant for producing the Quant.
Rather than looking at hw Koenigsegg can benefit from owning Saab,I think we should look at how Saab can get out of this done deal.Weight and Ciefficient of drag has been crucial roles in improving car efficiency and Koenigsegg is extremely magnificant in tis both fields.They did not succeed as a supercar maker with only these achievements,like Saab,they try to perfect things,patenting a RBC(Response Boost Control),I do think these shows that Koenigsegg and Saab developments can easily be inline and both entities can benefit from this.
“Body covered in NLV photovoltaic thin flm solar coating”
I know that photovoltaic thin flm solar coating technology is already in use for windows for commercial buildings in the U.S. which lags ROW on solar technologies. I do wonder whether the Quant needs to have back-up plug-in electric source, or whether they will link up with Better Place battery concept.
California and Florida have combined population of 54 million. Add in the Saudis and Gulf States, and there is a market for flexible assembly line production.
I’m impressed. If SAAB could mass produce a less exotic version of this, it could be just what they need to become profitable again.
Congratulations to you Dear Friends.It is a great day for reconing for all humans.I wish to become a part in making this car for Indians.Please advise me.Thanks to you again.
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