High-powered monsters might be the name of the game for Detroit manufacturers these days, as cars like the track-dominating Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and Chevrolet Corvette earn headlines alongside beefy off-roaders like the Ford F-150 Raptor, Ram TRX, and Jeep's teased 392 Wrangler, but the truth of the matter is that modern vehicles tend to be heavy, with dull steering, and a lack of driver connection to the road (or trail). Meanwhile, Tesla's commuter EVs can sprint off the line with the world's best internal combustion-powered sports and supercars. But what if a nimble sports car with little in the way of driver's aids received both an electric drivetrain and off-road specific goodies made for charging the dunes? Well, that's exactly what BorgWarner and Ariel teamed up to do with this wild electrified Ariel Nomad.
For Demonstration Purposes Only
The Nomad serves as a proving ground for BorgWarner's Corporate Advanced Engineering group to prove its muster. Based on the all-terrain vehicle in open-wheeled builder Ariel's lineup, the Nomad, BorgWargner then added a laundry list of power and performance enhancements alongside the company's electric propulsion system, including a torque-vectoring rear drive unit, an all-electric coolant pump, advanced traction control software, and a DC converter. Regenerative braking helps recharge the batteries, which are cooled by the circulating coolant and help the duo of High-Voltage Hairpin electric motors powering the rear wheels through independent gearsets create the equivalent of over 250 horsepower.
Ready For Action
The setup looks set for some hardcore fun—as does just about every Ariel product on the road—with big knobby tires and plenty of ground clearance and suspension travel. Hakan Yilmaz, BorgWarner's Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, said, “Our new high-voltage demonstration vehicle illustrates BorgWarner’s leadership in electrification and gives us a fantastic tool to showcase our extensive capabilities, collaborate with industry partners and evaluate BorgWarner’s current and future technology at a system-level." Hopefully, more vehicles like this will keep popping up for enthusiasts looking for more engagement, both on the tarmac and off.
Source: Airelna