Exagon Motors promoted an all-electric sports car called the Furtive eGT during the recently concluded 2012 Paris Motor Show. The next step for Exagon was a public demonstration of the Furtive eGT at the famed Nürburgring in Germany. Professional driver Sabin Schmitz took the prototype for a spin on the 12.4-mile north loop of the course. The Furtive eGT reached a maximum speed of 149 miles per hour while demonstrating expert handling around corners. Observers at the Nürburgring saw a powerful and eco-friendly model that could translate well to the European market. Exagon Motors indicated that an initial production run would start next year to test consumer interest.
The foundation of the Furtive eGT drive system is a pair of electric motors designed by Siemens. Exagon Motors and Siemens have worked together on racers for the annual Andros Ice Race. Each motor reached maximum output of 125 kW during the demonstration though Exagon plans to increase output to 148 kW before next year. Siemens also focused on keeping the drive system light, limiting motor weight to about 115 pounds. A drive system capable of producing 296 kW of output without using a drop of gasoline would push fellow automakers to up their game in the EV market.
The Furtive eGT achieves a maximum range of 224 miles per charge thanks to a Saft battery pack and lightweight body. Saft designed a 53 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that in theory could last as long as the rest of the vehicle. Exagon estimates that the battery pack can retain 80% capacity over 3,000 charges, which means a maximum life of nearly 600,000 miles. Engineers at Exagon also lowered the vehicle profile and used carbon components that significantly extend overall range. A potential option available in future versions is a range-extended engine that could boost range to 501 miles.
Automakers have fallen in love with allowing drivers to customize their commuting experiences with multiple driving modes. Exagon Motors is no exception and incorporated four modes into the Furtive eGT’s drive system. Drivers interested in enhanced acceleration at the expense of efficiency can switch to the Sport mode. A Standard mode balances acceleration and efficiency while ensuring a smooth driving experience. The Eco mode strips down power use substantially to achieve the greatest efficiency possible. Urban commuters interested in driving experiences optimized for lower speeds can utilize the City mode.
Exagon’s performance estimates from the 2012 Paris Motor Show seem to align well with the showing at Nürburgring. A maximum speed of 178 MPH has been achieved in previous testing though a production model would be limited to 155 MPH. The Furtive eGT can hit 60 MPH from a full stop in about 3.5 seconds, a time that is competitive with sports cars currently on the market. Pricing is not yet available for the Furtive eGT though the performance metrics and styling would indicate costs out of reach for most consumers. Exagon’s demonstration at the Nürburgring is yet another example of how far EV technology but pricing must become more modest to achieve broader adoption.
