Car News

World premier of the electrically powered 2011 Artega SE



At the 81st Geneva Motor Show from 1-13 March 2011, Artega Automobil GmbH & Co. KG will introduce an electric version of its mid-engine sports car. "Our aim is to combine environmental responsibility with the passion for automobiles," said Artega chief executive Peter Müller.



With this forward-looking project, the company headquartered in Delbrück once again demonstrates the benefits and strengths of its manufacturing plant. Technical expertise and quick decision-making processes have enabled the company to implement a completely new drive concept in a very short period of time. Artega has also cooperated with the Fraunhofer Institute, one of the most competent development partners in the automotive sector. The research organization bought two Artega vehicles more than a year ago to test their feasibility as electrically powered cars.



The new electric model will be announced at a press conference at 1 p.m. on 1 March 2011 at the Artega stand in Hall 4, exhibit stand #4231. Peter Müller will report on the company's progress since its appearance at last year's Geneva Motor Show and will introduce the newly established company Artega Automobile Switzerland AG.



Following Mr. Muller's presentation, Dr. Wolfgang Ziebart will elucidate the technical features of the 2011 Artega SE. The initials stand for "Sport Electric." The initiator of the E-mobility project is convinced of the advantages of electrically powered sports cars. "Sports car drivers usually have a very dynamic driving style, with frequent acceleration and braking, which is very energy inefficient. But electric cars recuperate the energy lost through braking and return it to the battery. In addition, unlike combustion engine vehicles, electric vehicles convert the full extent of the engine torque immediately, which makes driving them a completely new, very dynamic experience."



The manufacturing plant in Delbrück will shortly make it possible for people to experience these advantages first-hand. The vehicle is expected to be introduced in the late summer of 2011, prior to the IAA in Frankfurt. If the reaction is as positive as expected, a concerted effort will be made immediately to prepare the car for mass production. It could be on the market by April 2012.



Artega®GT with serial carbon fibre hood, EU5 and individual configuration



A front hood made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic and EU5 are standard on the Artega®GT. The model shown at the company's Geneva exhibit also underscores the benefits of the in-house manufacturing concept, which offers the best potential for creating extraordinary, exclusive vehicles. For starters, there are no limits to the colors available. The Geneva Motor Show version, for example, is in Suzuka grey metallic with matching upholstery in two colors: the top of the instrument panel and the door trim moldings are upholstered in black leather, while the rest of the upholstery is red leather. Other sporty features include the air intakes and the hood with a visible carbon structure, which provide another clear indication of the uncompromising lightweight construction of the GT. The black wheels also underscore the sports car's high performance.



The Artega SE



High performance with zero emissions



Two electric motors on the rear axle with a total output of 280 kW (380 horsepower) give the car its powerful thrust. The two engines operate independently, with each driving one of the rear wheels. The 2011 SE Concept accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds (4.8 seconds with a combustion engine). Unlike the combustion engine, the electric engines transmit their power linearly and immediately, with no delay. The maximum velocity is well over 250 km/h. The entire drive train weight just 150 kilograms. The degree of efficiency is extremely high, namely more than 90%.



State-of-the-art battery technology



A total of 16 tried-and-tested battery modules with lithium ion polymer cells are built into the Artega SE. Each of these modules contains 12 battery cells, and they operate for the most part autonomously. Twelve modules are located in the rear of the vehicle and four in the front. All of the batteries are water-cooled and produce a total of 37 kilowatt/hours and a nominal voltage of 350 V. The total weight of the battery system is 310 kg.



According to the New European Driving Cycle standard, the Artega SE has a range of 300 kilometers; under normal driving conditions it can comfortably achieve 200 km. The batteries can be recharged using conventional household electricity with the help of a plug in the rear of the vehicle. The recharging time can be considerably reduced when park-and-ride stations or special parking lots with recharging facilities are used. The depleted batteries can be fully recharged in just 90 minutes.



The 2011 Artega design promises optimal results with low added weight



The mid-engine concept and the rear-attached subframe for the drive unit are excellently suited for use with an electric motor. The axle distribution of 57% in the rear and 43% in the front is identical to that of the Artega®GT with a combustion engine. Its uncompromising lightweight construction gives it a total weight according to EU standards of just 1285 kilograms - a decisive advantage over its competition. The 2011 Artega SE weighs in at 1400 kg, just about 10% more than the GT version. That means the handling and braking performance will be comparable to those of the Artega®GT, which received outstanding reviews in the trade press. The entire vehicle with brakes and damping has the appropriate dimensions to accommodate the added power of 59 kW (80 horsepower) and resulting improved performance of the electric version.



Innovative recuperation settings



Using the toggle switches on the steering wheel, the driver can adjust the recuperation rate when he removes his foot from the accelerator. The settings are variable from about 75 kW to zero recuperation, a level referred to as "sailing." This allows the driver to modify the characteristics of the acceleration pedal to suit his own wishes or the respective driving conditions.



The instrument cluster has been redesigned with combined analog/digital displays for speed, range, battery level and energy flow.



Sufficient production capacity in Delbrück



With 4000 square meters of production space, the plant in Delbrück is easily capable of manufacturing a second version of the sports car. It is possible to make up to 500 vehicles per year without compromising the extremely high quality standards the company has set for itself.



There is a market for high-quality electric cars



The McKinsey consulting company has conducted extensive research into the market for electric cars and published the results in its quarterly report in February 2011. The report said the potential customer demand for all-electric and hybrid vehicles with electric engines is currently as high as 16% in major metropolitan areas such as New York, Paris and Shanghai. Moreover, interest in buying such vehicles was independent of the availability of charging stations - and also independent of state subsidies or incentives.



The target groups interested in electric cars can be categorized as public institutions, companies that want to make a contribution to the environment and the so-called "early adopters," customers found primarily in large urban areas who are generally willing to spend more for technological innovations. As a rule, this target group owns at least one additional car, so any limitations in the potential range of electric cars would play a subordinate role.



Thanks to careful calculation, Artega is able to offer the exclusive SE at the attractive price of 150,000 euros. This price lies between that of existing first-generation sports cars and the anticipated price of mass-produced electric sports cars that have been announced by the major manufacturers.



The vehicle is one of a kind



The Artega SE is sure to enhance social acceptance of the sports cars of tomorrow. After all, it is a fine example of German engineering and will be manufactured "by hand" to meet the customer's individual wishes - just like its counterpart with a combustion engine, the Artega GT. The new German sports car from Delbrück in North Rhine-Westphalia is a one-of-a-kind vehicle. The small-scale manufacturing process makes it possible to incorporate numerous new technologies. The Artega - whether with a combustion engine or an electric motor - is a genuine innovation and sets itself apart from other vehicles.





Overview of the Artega GT



Unmistakable design



The renowned designer Henrik Fisker, who created the BMW Z8 and the Aston Martin Vantage, among other models, has created an unmistakable design with the length of a compact car (4.015 meters) and the width of a luxury limousine (1.88 meters). It is both powerful and appealing.



Impressive performance with low consumption figures thanks to uncompromising lightweight construction

A combination of materials familiar from racing sports, namely an aluminum space frame, high-strength steel and alloys reinforced with carbon fiber, give the Artega®GT an unloaded weight of just 1285 kilograms in spite of the extensive standard equipment built into the vehicle. This makes the sports car one of the lightest in its class.



The V6 engine has a cubic capacity of 3597 cubic centimeters and produces 300 horsepower (220 kW), resulting in a performance ratio of 4.28 kilograms per HP. The low weight-to-performance ratio and the state-of-the-art drive train ensure extreme agility and impressive driving performance. The car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. Its highest speed is 270 kilometers per h our.



The midship concept and direct steering optimize driving pleasure. Average consumption according to EURO 5 standards is just 9.2 liters per 100 kilometers.



The ultimate in exclusivity



Artega has built a factory that produces individual vehicles with great care. One of its trademarks is the high percentage of parts produced in-house, including the chassis, wheel suspension, engine periphery and the fueling and exhaust systems. Each individual vehicle is put together in traditional handwork to meet the specifications of the customer. Highly skilled workers assemble the technical components, the body and the interior.



The Artega will always remain an exclusive product. The factory in Delbrück will manufacture no more than 500 sports cars per year.