Motorists can now enjoy the thrill of owning an Ariel Atom while still being kind to the environment. All thanks to the work of Swiss EV specialist, Kyburg, and its creation, the eRod.
Following the debut of the eRod at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, the company has released a video of its electric speedster being put through its paces on the track. Three levels of trim are available – Basic, Fun and Race – for a car that combines go-kart excitement (something like the Atom) with an engine and battery pack that delivers performance with zero emissions.
The Basic and Fun are modest in their outputs. Both are armed with a motor churning out 45 kW and 140 N.m of torque, resulting in a top speed of around 121 km/h. The Basic runs a range of 58-69 km thanks to a 10 kWh battery that can be charged in six hours. The Fun steps this range up to between 100 to 130 km with an extra 7,3 kWh, but charge time is also then increased to around 10 hours.
But the top-of-the-range Race is what’s recommended. Battery power is the highest at 39 kWh, lending it a range of up to 220 km after four hours of charging. Motor size is also upped, resulting in 150 kW and 305 N.m of torque. The extra power delivers on its promises, propelling the eRod to a top speed of 130 km/h.
For some, this electric go-kart may not live up to the same hype as an Atom in terms of speed or driving sensation. But from what we can see, this is a car that will put a smile on the driver’s face. And, importantly, if there’s any smoke behind you, you’ll know its from the tyres and not the exhaust.
For more of the eRod, check out the video below:
