Only a few weeks ago Atieva EV prototype van hit the track to deal with the Ferrari California and a Tesla Model S in a drag race. After decimating the competition, Atieva team wanted something even more challenging and here it is. Dodge Viper and BMW i8 are going head to head with one of the most astonishing Vans in history. Edna – Test 2.0 is the name of the game. The EV prototype powered by a 900hp electric motor fed from an 87 kWh battery pack is capable of accelerating to 60 mph in 2.94 seconds. Last time, when it was running against the Ferrari and the Tesla, it launched to 60 in 3,03 seconds. Obviously, it got improved this time. Eight of a mile was covered in 7,2 seconds (last time it did it in 7,3 seconds) and the quarter of a mile in 11.3 seconds. To put things into perspective, the latest Chevrolet Corvette Z06 can do it barely under 11 seconds at 10.9.
Now, the Atieva Edna Van actually demonstrates technology that the company can build and sell. They plan to start selling their first electric sedan by 2018. It will also be an electric car – much like the Tesla Model S and the powertrain they are developing with this van will, apparently, find its place under the sheet metal of the new sedan. Due to lower weight and better aerodynamics, the thing could be even faster than the Mercedes-Benz based van.
The company was founded back in 2007 by former Oracle and Google employees. The team is planning some rather amazing things in the future including the launch of the sedan and of the much-required SUV. Sure, they have the money, but we have to see it to believe it. After all, they are backed up by the Faraday Future and these guys are kinda shady. What is not shady, is the backing up by the Beijing Auto from China and Mitsu from Japan.
