Last year at the Geneva Motor Show, Germany's nanoFlowcell AG revealed a striking electric concept car called the e-Sportlimousine, with novel battery technology and bold performance claims.
For the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, it's back, in an updated version its maker claims is nearly ready for production.
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The Quant F features the same outrageous styling and "nanoFlowcell" battery technology as the previous e-Sportlimousine, but with some mechanical changes and revised performance figures.
Also, it's red.
nanoFlowcell Quant F concept
The Quant F is still built around flow-cell batteries, which are something of a cross between conventional batteries and fuel cells.
In a flow cell, liquid electrolyte is circulated between two tanks, with a membrane in between. Particles passing through the membrane produce an electric charge--similar to the way electricity is generated in hydrogen fuel cells.
The car's creator believes this arrangement can offer greater energy density than lithium-ion cells, increasing performance without growing the battery itself.
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The flow-cell battery system is used to power four electric motors, and there's a two-speed automatic transmission.
With all four motors engaged, the Quant F has all-wheel drive, but the car can switch to rear-wheel drive when the extra power isn't needed.
Speaking of power, the Quant F produces an estimated 1,075 horsepower.
nanoFlowcell Quant F concept
That's more than the 912 hp (or 644 hp in regular use) of the original e-Sportlimousine, although it's unclear whether the new model will be able to improve on its torque output--a boastful 2,138 pound-feet "times four."
Top speed has been reduced to 186 mph from a previously-claimed 217 mph, but estimated range is now 500 miles, compared to 372 miles for the previous version.
According to nanFlowcell AG, the bodywork of the Quant F is production ready. Designers managed to retain the previous version's gullwing doors, and a truly limo-like overall length of around 17 feet.
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The interior--which seats four--is 90 percent ready, with certain details needing to be addressed for the car to meet U.S. and European standards.
Quant prototypes were approved for real-world testing in Germany last year by the country's Technischer Überwachungsverein (TUV) regulatory body.
Company officials say the Quant will be crash tested in both Germany and the U.S., although they aren't discussing a production timeline just yet.
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