Skip to main content

Lola and Drayson-Racing show off 850 horsepower electric racecar

Lola-and-Drayson-Racing-show-off-850-horsepower-electric-racecar
Image used with permission by copyright holder

For those that think electric cars don’t have the ability to run with the big boys when it comes to power and speed, it looks like the folks over at Drayson Racing and Lola have something to say about that. While many may think electric cars are simply good for only saving money at the pump, Drayson and Lola have been hard at work working developing the Lola-Drayson B12/69EV.

The electric racecar, which is the collective effort of both companies, packs a staggering 850-horsepower (640kW) from an electric charge. Having just unveiled their speed demon at the 6th MIA International Low Carbon Racing Conference, the Lola-Drayson is said to achieve sprint speeds of 0-60 mph in 3 seconds, and 0 to 100 in 5.1 seconds with a top speed of over 200 mph.

According to Drayson Racing the Lola-Drayson B12/69EV is just a first in series that it plans bringing to the 2013 FIA Formula E series – a racing event held for electrics only.

Lola-Drayson-B12-69EV
Image used with permission by copyright holder

But what is powering this green machine? Helping move this eco-friendly racer are four YASA-750 axial flux motors which help propel the 700 volt system. Charging the Drayson-Lola is achieved with a new state-of-the-art inductive Qualcomm Halo system.

We can’t help but come away impressed with what Drayson and Lola have achieved. The numbers the B12/69EV is touting are certainly impressive in a standard racecar, let alone an EV. While the low carbon racing industry is still in a state of relative infancy, it would appear that with the cars likely success, it should further serve to illustrate exactly what electric cars are capable of.

Editors' Recommendations

Amir Iliaifar
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Associate Automotive Section Editor for Digital Trends, Amir Iliaifar covers the ever increasing cross-section between tech…
Mercedes to trial humanoid robots for ‘low-skill, repetitive, demanding’ jobs
Apptronik's Apollo robot at work in an auto plant.

Humanoid robots have been coming on leaps and bounds in recent years, and some major companies are starting to take note.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, has just entered into an agreement with Texas-based robotics specialist Apptronik to collaborate on identifying applications for highly advanced robots that the auto giant could deploy. The deal will involve a trial that will see Apptronik's Apollo humanoid robot work alongside Mercedes' human workers on the factory floor.

Read more
Hyundai Ioniq 9: price, release date, range, and more
Hyundai Ioniq 9 Front

Hyundai has been at the forefront of EV development for a while now, largely thanks to the success of the crossover-sized Hyundai Ioniq 5. But the company is readying another new EV that could be even more popular than the Ioniq 5 -- or at least more desirable in the U.S., the land of big cars.

The upcoming Ioniq 9, previously set to be called the Ioniq 7, will be Hyundai's take on an electric SUV. It will be to Hyundai what the Kia EV9 is to Kia. It will have three rows and carry over design elements from the Ioniq 5.

Read more
Audi Q6 e-tron ushers in the automaker’s next EV phase
2025 Audi Q6 e-tron front three quarter view.

Audi doesn’t get enough credit for getting luxury car buyers comfortable with EVs. While Tesla took care of the image-conscious types, the German brand unveiled its e-tron electric SUV in 2018 with the tagline “electric has gone Audi” in hopes of getting loyal customers excited about (or, at least, acclimated to) electric cars by pitching the e-tron as an Audi first and an EV second.

The e-tron wasn’t a one-off, either. It’s since evolved into the Q8 e-tron and has been joined by the sporty e-tron GT and entry-level Q4 e-tron. So, while some car brands are only just introducing their first electric models, Audi is ready for round two.

Read more