Author Archives: Will@FluxAuto

EV West 700hp Pikes Peak Electric E36 M3

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Here’s another compelling argument for our case that electric cars don’t have to be slow, boring and/or ugly. This is the 1995 BMW M3 built by EV West of San Diego for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The car is running the best performance brushed DC motor technology currently available. Under the hood there are two NetGain Warp 11 HV’s end to end being fed by a EVnetics Soliton Shiva that’s capable of delivering 3000 amps.

Twin NetGain Warp 11 HV’s connected to a Powerglide transmission

The result is 700hp which is transferred through an externally pumped Powerglide Transmission. The external pumping means the transmission doesn’t need a torque converter. The motors are connected directly through an input shaft from a Turbo 400. Continue reading →

Via Motors VTRUX – Jay Leno’s Garage

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Bob Lutz stopped by Jay Leno’s garage to show off the product of his latest venture, the VTRUX by Via Motors. The premise is pretty similar to what we’re about here at Flux Auto. Take a desirable vehicle and retrofit it with an electric drive train so it appeals to regular people. Via motors is turning full sized GM trucks, SUV’s and vans into series hybrids similar to the Chevrolet Volt. They have large ( 24kwh) battery packs that are charged by plugging into a 220V outlet. when the battery pack gets low, an on-board gasoline V6 begins turning a generator to recharge the batteries and extend the truck’s range. The trucks are estimated to get 100 mpg while operating in this mobile recharging mode. It’s really the best of both worlds.


Source: Jay Leno’s Garage on YouTube

Formula Offroad – Matrand Norway 2012

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Formula Offroad is basically the dirt equivalent of Gatebil. Scandinavian gear heads lock themselves up in their workshops all winter in order to build some of the craziest hill climb machines in the world. Once the weather warms up, they come out to play. The videos of Formula Offroad are usually just insanity and chaos because that’s what people who are watching it for the first time usually pick up on. This video is a little different. I found it on one of my YouTube related video odysseys. It’s by somebody who regularly watches Formula Offroad, so it’s a little less sensationalism and more about the drivers and how the events are run. Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of gratuitous displays of power and getting air.


Source: Insane Racing Team on YouTube