Lightning GT - Page 4

iisjsmith · 06-19-2007, 08:26 AM

> Gearbox? There ain't any. I guess only posibility are some internal reduction gears,

You are right, on their Q&A section the say "no gearbox". But aren't reduction gears used to decrease rotational speed for an increase in torque? They need to increase rotational speed by a factor of, at least, 5:1 I would say. Won't that cause a huge drop in available torque?

> Has anyone found internal diagram of these hub motors? It would be interesting to see what magic produces such nice numbers.

The PML page has an image of the motors, but it's so small I can't make anything out:

http://www.pmlflightlink.com/images/hipa_drawing.gif

I've done some google searches, but nothing yet.

WarpedOne · 06-19-2007, 09:24 AM

Quote:

They need to increase rotational speed by a factor of, at least, 5:1 I would say. Won't that cause a huge drop in available torque?

Why?
Motors have 2000 max rpm. With no transmission and no gearbox that means max 2000 wheel rpm. With 16" wheels you are going 240kmh or 150mph at that rpm.
Plenty fast. Wanna go even faster? Mount bigger tyres :)

TEG · 06-19-2007, 11:21 AM

Regarding lack of wide tires on the Roadster, again I think the key is balance... Handling, ride comfort, range, tire life, etc.

Wide tires help most with lateral traction ("skidpad numbers"), but not as much in a straight line. I had posted those dragster pictures to show that they don't use very wide tires on the fastest accelerating cars on the planet. The key there is very sticky. The dragster is basically made into a glue machine trying to heat/melt the rubber onto the track. If they use up the whole tire in the 1/4 mile then so be it. Also those dragster tires are so soft with weak sidewalls that they would be terrible in cornering. Wide tires are also most helpful only on dry pavement. They have a tendency to want to float over water ("hyrdoplane") and would be horrible on snow and ice.

I think we have more or less covered the wide tire thing.

================================================== ================================================== =

Yeah, not a lot of pics of PML Flightlink "Hi-PA" hub motors to be found:

Kardax · 06-27-2007, 04:28 PM

Everything that Lightning is trying to do is "reasonably possible" with today's technology, especially if they plan to charge $300,000 for it. That alone is refreshing an an EV marketplace that seems more filled with "ideas" than "products".

I hope they sell a few (and at that price, they wouldn't need to sell a lot). I'd be really interested in seeing a Top Gear episode where they pit a Tesla Roadster, a Lightning GT, and a G-Wiz on the track :)

-Ryan

tonybelding · 09-01-2007, 09:15 AM

check it. . .

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/.../mflight01.xml

One interesting tidbit is that PML Flightlink expect one of their partners, a "major European vehicle manufacturer", to show something with their technology at the Frankfurt motor show.

I'll be keeping an eye out for that.

WarpedOne · 09-01-2007, 11:02 AM

If you go here you'll find out that it is a 60kW "range extending " generator.

Quote:

This month PML will begin production of the ultra compact 60kW range extending generator for a major European car manufacturer. The new highly advanced vehicle will be unveiled by the manufacturer at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show this September.

Finkenbusch · 07-08-2008, 12:26 PM

Anyhow -
the "Lighning" (announced 23. July)

with the

military grade Atairnano battery

(full load in 10 minutes 80% load under one minute)
will give the ever-changing Tesla board and even more their investors as well as the folks who have planked down advanced payment a run for their money.

The Tesla is, part & technical feature for feature compared to the Lightning a nice, dedicated but childish soap-boy try.

As a true long time fan of Tesla and the idea it stands for I have to admit - we see in front of professional and fierce competitors (Mercedes, Prius, Renault, Lightning and more to come) a dead man walking
- ahem - dead men changing board...

Finkenbusch · 07-08-2008, 01:00 PM

I did not intended to be rude, highjack or disturb - have overlooked the existing Lightning threads - sorry for that.

If a admin could kindly move my post to the proper place please and delete the replies here please?!

PS: I still stand by my opinion. Sad to see Tesla making headlines only and carrying a big mouth - since many years - Lightning is tight lipped, reasonable, seems serious and professional AND above all seems to deliver.

In high quality

We shall find out more on 23.July 2008

Finkenbusch · 07-08-2008, 01:09 PM

While Tesla is mostly in the biz of changing and talking up new board members competitors seem to deliver.

the "Lighning" (announced 23. July)

with the

military grade Atairnano battery

(full load in 10 minutes 80% load under one minute)
will give the ever-changing Tesla board and even more their investors as well as the folks who have planked down advanced payment a run for their money.

The Tesla is, part & technical feature for feature compared to the Lightning a nice, dedicated but childish soap-boy try.

As a true long time fan of Tesla and the idea it stands for I have to admit - we see in front of professional and fierce competitors (Mercedes, Prius, Renault, Lightning and more to come) a dead man walking
- ahem - dead men changing board...

BBHighway · 07-08-2008, 01:15 PM

Hey, Finkenbusch, good luck with that Lightning thing. They have been talking about that for years, and haven't even shown a powered prototype yet. About all they can show for progress is that they finally updated the website. And you have to be really out of your mind to call the Tesla a "childish soap-boy try" compared to the Lightning. Did you look through their gallery? A couple photos of a mockup, and a bunch of artist's sketches. Tesla is shipping cars now. Slowly, but they actually are.

I have personally test driven the Tesla. It is real. Do you enjoy driving artist's sketches?