You probably have never heard of the boutique sportscar maker Automobili Estrema, and probably can’t afford to buy its $2 Million EV hypercar, but it’s nice to dream and drool.
The Fulminea – which means “Lightning Fast” in Italian, is exactly that – able to rocket to 200mph in under ten seconds thanks to four electric motors that kick out 2,040 horsepower. That’s almost enough to launch you into outer space.
Plus, it’s drop-dead gorgeous. And it plans to break the electric sports car record at a legendary German race track and test track, which is pretty cheeky for a company that didn’t exist until a couple of years ago.
Automobili Estrema was founded in 2020 by green business entrepreneur Gianfranco Pizzuto and headquartered in Modena, Italy, home of several of the world’s most legendary automobile brands.
You may have heard of Ferrari, De Tomaso, Lamborghini, Pagani and Maserati. All are, or were, located here and all, except Lamborghini, have headquarters in the city or nearby.
So Pizzuto had a deep bench of experienced automotive engineers and designers to draw on for Automobili Estrema.
Fulminea: A World’s First
Fulminea will be the first car in the world to use an innovative hybrid battery pack that combines innovative Li-ion cells with solid-state electrolyte and ultracapacitors.
They achieve 100 kWh of energy to power the four electric motors with a total power output of 1.5 MW (2,040 hp).
According to the press release, the Fulminea marks the beginning of a new generation of electric cars: a machine with all the characteristics of a race car: high performance, cutting-edge technology, and premium materials including the latest-generation carbon fiber.
The Fulminea features a world’s first fully electric powertrain with innovative solutions:
it is the first car in the world to use a “hybrid” battery pack that uses solid-state cells produced by ABEE (Avesta Battery Energy Engineering) and ultra-capacitors, elements that provide the energy boost needed to unleash the power of the four electric motors.
Initial production is underway and will be capped at 61 cars with a ticket price of 1.961.000 Euros, which is a smidgeon under $2 Million.
The first production models are due in June 2023.
Fulminea: The Mission
The Fulminea will attempt a new lap record for an electric sports car at the famous and iconic Nurburgring track in Germany, also known as the “Nordschleife,” or “The Green Hell”. That is planned for September 2023.
To support the costs involved with such an attempt, Automobili Estrema has launched a crowdfunding campaign to produce a documentary about the entire journey from inception until the race at Nordschleife.
Viewers will be able to follow the making of Fulminea, with monthly episodes starting in February 2023. Join the mission here.
Pizzuto also had a plan to enter a vehicle in Formula E, but that seems to be on the back burner with Fulminea on the front.
Fulminea: Power and Battery Technology
The power is distributed to the wheels by 4 electric motors that allow the Fulminea to accelerate from 0 to 320 km/h (200mph) in less than 10 seconds.
The battery pack has a capacity of 100 kWh with an expected range – according to the WLTP cycle – of 520 km.
Thanks to the use of prismatic solid-state cells, the hybrid battery can make use of cell-to-pack technology, achieving a record energy density of 500 Wh/kg, equivalent to 1.2 kWh/l, with a battery weight of just 300 kg and a total weight in running order of 1,500 kg.
The BMS (Battery Management System) is supported by a software called “EVE-Ai” which constantly and actively optimizes the power demand between the two energy systems to maximize the efficiency and performance of the car, by customizing the control strategy according to the operating environment, battery conditions and driving style.
The innovative high-performance hybrid battery pack will reach unprecedented performances in terms of energy density and power output aiming to contain the total curb weight of Fulminea within kg 1.500 kg (3,307 lb.).
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 20+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter currently serves as 1st VP of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA) and is a former Board Member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW)
Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.
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