√Williams Advanced Engineering: Australian-owned company reveals 1650kW electric hypercar chassis

Williams Advanced Engineering has unveiled the basis of a new 1650kW electric hypercar, with the Australian-owned firm targeting established car makers as its key clients.

UK-based firm Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) – owned by Australian iron ore mining company Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) – has revealed a new electric hypercar platform, set to enter production in 2024.

Williams Advanced Engineering is a former subsidiary of the Williams Formula One racing team, and was acquired by FMG earlier this year for $310 million.

The WAE EVR is a ready-built electric-car platform which car makers of any size can purchase from the engineering company, rather than investing in the development of their own bespoke architectures – similar to the company’s EVX platform revealed last year.

The EVR’s modular platform has been developed to cater for various hypercar configurations, from open or fixed-roof layouts to track-only machines.

According to WAE, the EVR can be purchased in either rear- or all-wheel drive layouts, with the latter developing up to 1650kW from its four electric motors.

Williams Advanced Engineering claims the EVR is capable of accelerating from zero to 100km/h in less than two seconds – providing the company which uses the platform can keep the vehicle’s kerb weight below 1800kg.

Mounted in the middle of the EVR’s lightweight composite chassis is an 85kWh lithium-ion battery, delivering a claimed driving range of more than 450km with the ability to fast-charge in less than 20 minutes.

Williams Advanced Engineering is the supplier of the batteries used in Formula E, the world’s premier open-wheel electric racing series.

The UK engineering firm is also developing a hydrogen-powered variant dubbed the EVR-H, with the car’s fuel cell designed to drop in place of the existing battery pack.

Paul McNamara, Williams Advanced Engineering’s Technical Director, believes the EVR will allow more car makers to access electric hypercar technology.

“EVR combines WAE’s exceptional expertise in motorsport-bred lightweight, composite structures and high-performance battery powertrains with our knowledge in developing and delivering electric vehicle programmes,” said McNamara in a media statement.

“It rapidly accelerates high performance electrification offering a turnkey solution for both start-ups and OEMs with an affordable business case, reduced time to market and a highly flexible architecture.”

A price for the WAE EVR is yet to be announced.

WAE aims to deliver the first EVR-based prototype within 12 months, before production of the first electric hypercar based on the platform begins in 2024.

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