The British auto industry may have lost the greatness it once had but automotive innovation is still very much present. A new generation of tech companies in the country are venturing into developing electrically-powered cars (EVs) that will become mainstream within a decade or so.
Four of these companies have been working on an innovative all-electric two-seater roofless sportscar ‘designed for nature’. The first concept that has been shown to the public this week is called the Aura is developed and built as a fully working, road-legal prototype.
Funded by the British government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) through the Niche Vehicle Network (NVN), the concept car is the joint effort of the companies which have pushed the boundaries of innovation and their specialist fields. They are Astheimer Design, BAMD Composites, Conjure and Potenza Technology.
Each one a leader in their field, they started in October 2020 to create a low emission sportscar that is efficient on power and its demands on the world around it. The concept came from the understanding that as the automotive industry evolves, and the transportation needs of individuals change, there will be a demand for a product that encompasses these requirements.
The vision is of a long-range EV that is designed for nature with sustainability at its core. It also showcases the efficiencies of light weight, low drag and innovative uses of technology to solve consumer issues with running an EV. From placing the batteries and motors in optimised positions to providing rear cowling to the wheels to reduce the strain on the sportscar as it glides through the air, the team has also incorporated natural composite fibres for the bodywork that are not only lightweight but more sustainable within the manufacturing process.
Aiming to show that EV adoption is more accessible than users think, its cutting-edge HMI (Human-Machine Interface) not only aims to reduce driver distraction through its driver infotainment (which includes a self-levelling driver display in the centre of the steering wheel) as well as reducing range anxiety through real-world map and charging availability. The Aura is also the first British vehicle to run the Android Automotive OS.
The current projected range is about 640 kms with a rear-wheel drive powertrain having a system output of 88 kWh. Energy is drawn from two 44 kWh lithium batteries with a full charging time is said to be 4 hours using a 22 kW portable off-car charger.
