Sounds Familiar: Millionaire drops big bucks to build Lotus-based EV sportscar

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Technology, UK, Electric

Ecotricity Nemesis

We’re beginning to think that the real difference between a millionaire and a billionaire is simply whether or not one succumbs to the idea of building your own sports car. The latest to fall victim to that money trap is Dale Vince – a man with a vision for an all-electric, 330 horsepower beast capable of ripping off the 0-60 mph sprint in 4.4 seconds on its way to 100 mph in 8.5 seconds. Like a few other specialty racers we’ve seen surface recently, the Nemisis uses a Lotus chassis for its bones, while a pack of lithium-polymer batteries supplies the juice. And according to Vince, the cells can be topped off in 8-10 hours using a trickle charge.

All told, the car has a range of somewhere between 100 and 150 miles and boasts a theoretical top speed of 170 mph. Ecotricity, the company that builds the Nemisis, has its eyes set on besting the UK’s electric vehicle top speed record of 139 mph soon. So, how much would you have to pay for a car like the Nemesis? Vince isn’t saying, though considering that it cost around £25 million to develop (including a £400,000 investment from the British government), chances are it won’t be cheap should it ever hit production.

[Sources: Inventorspot, The Daily Mail]

Sounds Familiar: Millionaire drops big bucks to build Lotus-based EV sportscar originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Millionaire Segway importer killed after rolling off cliff riding his own device

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Technology, UK

Segway X2 AdventureAccording to the BBC, Jimi Heselden, the CEO of Hesco Bastion, was killed on Sunday, September 26 when he apparently rode his Segway off of a cliff and into a river. Hesco Bastion sells Segway self-balancing scooters in the UK market.

According to the story, police were called after reports came in that a man had fallen into a wharf in West Yorkshire. Heselden and a “Segway-type device” were found in the water, and the scooter mogul was pronounced dead at the scene. Heselden made his fortune in the manufacturing sector and founded his corporation in the tough neighborhood where he grew up.

Heselden was also a generous philanthropist, donating a total of 23 million to various charities during his life. Earlier this month, the 62-year-old businessman donated 10 million to a Leeds community organization. The BBC quoted a spokesperson for Hesco Bastion as saying Heselden will be remembered both for his generosity and his pride in the Leeds area. Thanks to everyone for the tips.

[Source: BBC]

Millionaire Segway importer killed after rolling off cliff riding his own device originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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