Unusual: Even Dragsters Are Going Electric (Video)
This page is translated from the original post "Insolite : même les dragsters passent à l’électrique (vidéo)" in French.
- 04/05/2023 17:18
Ecological conscience obliges, even American symbols of frivolity are reducing their carbon footprint by switching to electric.
Everything is going down the drain. Well, that might be what one initially thinks, before realizing that the evolution of dragsters towards electric power isn’t such an unreasonable idea. The immediacy of acceleration is a major advantage of electric vehicles, and the powers currently achievable with the technology are very high.
Thus, Ford Performance is currently leveraging this sporting platform to showcase its new technologies. After an initial experiment in 2021 with the Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 (for 1400 horsepower), the blue oval company is back at it with the Mustang Cobra Super Jet 1800 (for 1800 horsepower). The torque, at the same time, is colossal: 1600 Nm.
“We are always seeking to surpass ourselves in all areas of motorsports,” said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance Motorsports. “Drag racing remains a key testing ground for our products and technology, and we are excited not only to try to beat our own quarter-mile record, but also to reveal further developments we continue to make across the electric vehicle landscape.“
The Super Cobra 1800 still features two pairs of electric motors (a total of 4 motors) stacked in series and powered by a secretly-capacious battery. Its goal is to break the world record, already held by Ford, for the fastest acceleration over a quarter-mile (400 meters start-to-stop) for an electric car: 8.128 seconds at a speed of 171.97 miles/hour, or about 276.758 km/h. With an additional 400 horsepower and reduced weight, the Mustang Super Cobra 1800 should dip below the symbolic 8-second mark and cross the 300 km/h threshold. Its parachutes, used to slow it down, will not be redundant.
Ultimate question: how much does a dragster consume? The most powerful, such as the 7000 hp Top Fuel, consume about 19 liters of nitromethane over the distance, roughly 47 liters per kilometer. Compared to this figure, we welcome the gradual shift to electric power.
READ ALSO: Ford discounts its Mustang Mach-E by €7,610!
We also suggestthese articles:
Also read
