The Eight Wheeler Electric Eliica

Auto industry is still growing and coming out with newer innovations every day, current recession notwithstanding. Car fans might have noticed Japan's Keio University 8 wheelers supercar. They have already build two of oddly-shaped supercars that are powered by Lithium-Ion batteries with an 80 horsepower electric motor for each wheel. Top speed is expected to be more than 230 mph, with 0-60 times around 4 seconds already recorded. The Eliica's claimed 200 miles per charge puts it right at the end of the field. While each of the prototypes has cost a fortune (around US$320,000), the team plans to produce 200 units; they are looking for right sponsors to start the production. How do you think the market will take mass production of this eco friendly wonder of a car? Basically, the Eliica (stands for Electric Lithium-Ion Car) is the brainchild of Hiroshi Shimizu. The cars most notable feature is the fact that it has 8 wheels, each of which houses an 80 hp electric motor. What is more, the Eliica has a 0-100 mk/h acceleration speed of 4 seconds which is better than the Tesla, a Corvette, and even a Porsche. The Eliica has already demonstrated very sprightly acceleration but it's top speed that the team is most focused on. The current land-speed record for a street-legal car is just over 250mph and the Eliica team are hoping they'll beat that mark. How the eight wheels, and their extra rolling resistance, will help in this endeavour is anyone's guess, but the car's aerodynamics look plausible.

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