‘Formula One’ technology car maker unveils hybrid vehicle
Greenwise Staff
27th October 2009
Fledgling UK car manufacturer, Axon Automotive, has unveiled its latest low emission vehicle – a plug-in hybrid electric car that combines technology associated with racing cars and has seats fashioned out of jeans and recycled pinstriped suits.
The two-seater vehicle, which has yet to be named, was unveiled at the Milton Keynes Science Festival this weekend. It is the latest offering from Axon Automotive, which launched its first low emissions car at the Eden Project ‘Sexy Green Car Show’ in 2007 and specialises in composite technologies associated with Formula One racing cars.
A spokesperson for the company said Axon Automotive had had “a change of strategy” since it unveiled the Axon 8080 at the 2008 Eden Car Show, a traditional small hatchback fuel efficient petrol car that was due to go on sale in 2010. It has instead decided to come to market with a plug-in hybrid, which he said would be priced “very competitively” against other hybrid and electric vehicles on the market when the first cars go on sale at the end of 2011.
The Axon car combines full electric mode for local travel and uses a petrol or bioethanol powered engine for long distance or motorway travel.
“As a plug-in hybrid we have no limitation on range but we can maximise the benefits of electrics day to day without the cost and weight of large batteries,’ said Axon’s managing director, Dr Steve Cousins.
Government tests show the car performs under 50g/CO2 per km for the mix of electric and petrol used, half the level needed for free annual road tax in UK.
The car also benefits from a unique carbon fibre chassis, making it light, safe and fuel efficient, according to its makers.
“By designing light cars and giving them good aerodynamics you can radically lower vehicle emissions,” said Cousins.
Carbon fibre materials are expensive but modern tooling methods have enabled the Axon Automotive to reduce the production cost substantially of its car compared to traditional car manufacturing making it commercially viable for the mass market.
The Axon car is described by its makers as a “multipurpose vehicle” built with “substantial amounts” of luggage space. As well as seating made from recycled fabrics, the door panels are made from recycled carbon fibre.
After initial trial sales in 2011, the Axon car will go into full production in 2012.
Axon Automotive, based in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, is the only UK-owned car company making a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and is parted funded by the UK Technology Strategy Board.