With fossil fuels running out and becoming increasingly expensive, it is reassuring to know alternatives are being considered. Like the sea, for instance, which is the fuel for the Quant e-Sportlimousine supercar.
The use of NASA-derived technology allows four electric motors to pump out an astonishing 912hp (925PS), all of which are powered by a nanoFLOWCELL system – essentially a chemical battery that uses salt water and a process called “cold burning” to create electrical power.
All that clever science ensures the e-Sportlimousine is no drip. 0 to 62mph takes a gut-wrenching 2.8 seconds. Keep your foot down and you will eventually top out at 240mph. Quant says a range of up to 600km (372 miles) per tank is possible.
The four three-phase induction motors use torque vectoring to send power where it needs to go. Each motor generates 2,900Nm of torque at peak. That figure seems really farfetched, considering that is more than four Tesla Model S Performance cars combined.
The Quant may lack a combustion engine roar, but the rest of the supercar ingredients are present and correct. Gullwing doors, 22-inch alloys, memorable looks, insane performance – we’re guessing you would soon forgive the less impressive whir of electric motors.
Up to four passengers will fit, allowing you to terrify your entire family. Interior space should be plentiful, thanks to a length of 5.25m, width of 2.2m and height of 1.35m. For a bit of perspective, a Bugatti Veyron measures 4.462m in length.
Speaking of the interior, the e-Sportlimousine is stunning. A real mishmash of futuristic computer displays next to good-old-fashioned wood and flowing curves. A bog-standard windscreen wiper stick has never looked so out of place.
Using salt water to make electricity is nothing new. It was originally developed in the 1970s by NASA, but in the case of Quant it has undergone some improvements to ‘store and release electrical energy at very high energy densities’.
Switzerland-born Nunzio la Vecchia is the brainchild of Quant. The physicist and businessman is said to own 60 patents in plasma energy, solar energy and electronics.
Some of the alleged output figures are hard to believe, but we are going to refrain from raining on its parade too hard, mainly because the e-Sportlimousine has been declared road legal in Europe. It could be as impressive in the real world as it is on paper by the time the prototype becomes a production reality.
Or not, as the case may be. But you have to admit a car powered by water seems like a great idea. Salt water is, after, plentiful.
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