Whether we like it or not, total electrification is upon us. It won't happen tomorrow, next month, or in a couple of years, but there will come a time when the internal combustion engine will only be seen on private roads, tracks, and museums. You don't have to believe us. Here's NASCAR paving the way for a major change.
Chevy, Ford, and Toyota are the official suppliers of car models to the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). All three brands produce battery-powered vehicles. It was only a matter of time before the motorsport started following suit, and now that's happening. We could very soon see Camaros, Mustangs, and Camrys (or other sedans) making little to no noise while covering hundreds of miles at high speed in various ovals.
To true NASCAR fans, that sounds like sacrilege. Remember when the "Car of Tomorrow" was introduced? People really didn't like the squarish design and the fact that the new rides were larger. Many believed that change would slow down the exciting race, even though the whole point was to make stock-car racing safer.
It gets even more complicated when you realize that NASCAR attendance and viewership remain in a mild decline. Many have also complained about the constant change in rules, the new (and somewhat unexpected tracks), and the stars leaving. And, believe it or not, some have even criticized the increased fuel consumption, the use of lead additives, and the increased engine noise.
It looks like NASCAR is between a rock and a hard place. So, if it can't please everyone, why not annoy whatever is left of its core fans and supporters, right?
Together with the Swiss-based technology company ABB, which has been involved in Formula E for quite some time, NASCAR has just introduced the ABB NASCAR EV Prototype. Chevy, Ford, and Toyota have also participated in the development of this new model. The brands were tasked with getting the design right. Most of the work, however, was done by NASCAR's own engineers.
Photo: NASCAR
The Prototype has three motors (one at the front, two at the rear), a 78-kWh liquid-cooled high-voltage battery, a tunable powertrain that can deploy 1,000 kW (1,341 hp / 1,360 ps), and impressive regen braking that lessens the pressure put on the fiction braking system. The model rides on special Goodyear Racing Eagle tires.
The most important parts – the steering, suspension, brakes, and rims – are all taken from the Cup Series racing vehicle.
But the sustainability continues far beyond the drivetrain. The enlarged body features sustainable flax-based composites. Flax is a plant that requires no fertilization, irrigation, or pest protection. It's much stronger than cotton, and when woven, it's very resistant. Combine with recycled carbon fiber or some other materials, and you might get a light car body that's also pretty strong.
NASCAR also says that to achieve its environmental goals, it will source renewable electricity for its race tracks and facilities by 2028. There'll also be on-site EV charging for fans. You'll soon be able to drive your Tesla at the Talladega or Kansas circuits and see no one glancing weirdly at you.
Ultimately, NASCAR says it remains "committed to the historic role of the combustion engine in racing", but "it is also committed to decarbonizing its operations and reducing its own carbon footprint to zero." We'll see what comes of it.
Pushing the limits of what's possible is in our DNA.
Car shows on TV and his father's Fiat Tempra may have been Florin's early influences, but nowadays he favors different things, like the power of an F-150 Raptor. He'll never be able to ignore the shape of a Ferrari though, especially a yellow one. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News