Wednesday, October 16, 2013

KIIRA EV ( UGANDA )





The KIIRA EV is Uganda's solution to sustainable transportation for Africa's urban cities. KIIRA EV is a concept car that is 100% electric; It seats 2 people, is styled compact and designed to meet needs of Africa's expanding urban environment. An 18 horse power motor drives the KIIRA EV to a top speed of 60mph. The KIIRA EV was designed by Makerere University at the College of Engineering and Technology's Centre For Research in Transportation Technologies (CRTT). The Vehicle Design Project (VDP) is part of the CRTT that sets the stage for this ambitious venture which will lead to more advanced concepts in transportation technologies. The KIIRA EV is the concept car that ushers in the era of green energy technology to power vehicles for the African continent.

More details will be released in the coming weeks.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

KIIRA EV ( UGANDA )





Following is an exert from an online news journal that covered the public test drive of the KIIRA EV, Uganda's first electric car.

MAKERERE University has successfully tested the first electric car to be made in Uganda. The two seated car is a project by the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology.............

The Kiira EV does not use fuel. The front-wheel drive has 18 horse-power and can reach top speeds of 60km per hour.

http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/18833-makerere-university-successfully-tests-electric-car.html

http://www.nation.co.ke/Tech/Makerere+electric+car++finally+hits+the+tarmac+/-/1017288/1265716/-/in65ga/-/index.html

Thursday, September 5, 2013

BAILEY LMP2 ( SOUTH AFRICA )





This is an African Phenomenon for 2011. Below are the stats straight from the makers mouth describing this awesome beast.

"Bailey Cars took the Bold and Brave step of building a current day Prototype car in 2009. Its taken 2 years of intense design and manufacture to produce this master piece of south African engineering.

The car has had many firsts for South Africa such as full carbon Tub, full CFD body design and building a car to the A.C.O Le Mans 24 hours regulations

The car is available to customers who would like to compete in sports car racing throughout the world in events such as ALMS, Le Mans series, Asian Le Mans Series and even the South African Le Mans Series and RSA GT challenge.

Chassis

· Carbon composite monocoque chassis

· Monocoque certified to all ACO and FIA structural and crash standards

· Adjustable pedal box and steering column

· Safety equipment includes 6-point lightweight seat belt harness

· Plumbed in fire extinguisher system

Engine

· 460hp maximum as regulated by ACO
· The engine must be made in a minimum of 1000 units in 12 consecutive months and must come, either from a grand touring car, Or from a large production car.
· Choice of homologated BMW, Lexus, Toyota or Nissan 5000 cm3 8 cylinders maximum. maximum
· Or 3200 cm3 forced induction engine with max 6 cylinders
· Diesel not allowed in LMP


Suspension

· Double wishbone layout all round

· Pushrod rocker type with damper and coil over spring all round

· Third-spring option for front and rear suspension

· Frictionless bearing seals all round

· Same upright all round

· Angular-contact wheel bearings all round

· Chromoly steel-fabricated TIG-welded wishbones

· Quick adjustable ride height, camber, and toe

· electrically power assisted rack-and-pinion



Fuel System



· 90-litre bladder type fuel cell

· Dual Low-pressure fuel lifts pump plus dual high-pressure pumps




Transmission



· Ricardo sequential-shift gearbox

· Six forward speeds plus reverse with torque input capacity in excess of 500 Nm

· Adjustable gear ratios

· Paddle shift as standard

· Gear oil cooling system



Bodywork


· All body panels of lightweight infused epoxy glass composite construction

Brake System

· AP Racing six-piston aluminum calipers all round

· 380 mm diameter ventilated discs front and rear

· Full carbon brake set up as option



Wheels and Tyres


· Wheel dimensions 11”wide x 18” diameter front

· 13” wide x 18” diameter rear

· 3 piece wheels

· Centre lock and anti loosen to FIA standards


Cooling System


· 1 water radiators

· 8-litre dry sump oil tank

· Twin engine all cooler

· Twin Electric oil scavenge pump

· 1 intercooler

· Driver air-conditioning system



Electrical System



· Military-spec chassis wiring loom

· FIA-regulation emergency power cut-off switch

· External start jump plug

· Digital dash display and with full data logging

· Xenon headlamps



WEIGHT

· Minimum weight as specified by ACO 900kg excluding driver and fuel


Bailey - Beautifully Engineered Cars
http://www.baileyedwardscars.co.za

Monday, August 19, 2013

LARAKI MOTORS Returns (MOROCCO/ AMERICAN RELAUNCH)


LARAKI MOTORS (MOROCCO/ AMERICAN RELAUNCH)






The Epitome is Laraki’s extreme, yet elegant interpretation of the mid front engine hypercar theme. Designed and built by Laraki Designs, in California, Epitome is aggressive, muscular and fearless, but still inviting. She is all about proportion, play of light, shapes and unusual surface treatment that finally work in harmony, to give her the unique character and stance she enjoys.
At a glance, one immediately knows the kind of performance Epitome is capable of. The hypercar uses carbon fiber and aluminum extensively, for their mechanical and light weight properties. The result is a 1400 Kg performer, powered by a 1100 hp quad turbo, 7 liter V8 engine. And there you have it, the universal formula for extraordinary cars. Light weight and high power. Nevertheless, the chassis and suspension are at the state of the art, to ensure unmatched performance.
More than a hypercar, the Laraki Epitome is a work of art, as it triggers one’s deepest emotions and senses. Even the smallest detail was created in that perspective. Components such as the side mirrors, the doors, the hood, the air ducts and other parts were given the highest attention to their esthetics, that they could be considered works of art in their own right.
Only a handful Epitomes will be ever made, for the world to appreciate and exclusive owners to enjoy.

Abdesslam Laraki
CEO, Laraki Designs California

Source 
larakiyachtdesign.com

A pure dream turned into reality. More is more. Be it the price, the size, the horse power its alright. Elegance is a state of being. Take it as you will, Laraki is the bold statement from a Moroccan Yacht and car designer.

African Automotive design is a rhetoric that observes and identifies syllables that echo Africa's rich heritage.

AADA-design-language

Previous posts featuring Laraki's earlier vehicle developments.

laraki-fulgura-concept-2007
laraki-borac
laraki-fulgura-2004 B
laraki-fulgura A

Saturday, August 17, 2013

The African Bull Dog ( KENYA )





Sustainable by all means.

Mombasa (Kenya) is the location where this unique prototype was conceived. Details are outlined from their Facebook page.

Completed

30th January 2011

The vehicle

The african bull dog is a Kenyan Built Off Road 4X4 Vehicle and MPV; This car is built for every day use, it can be used in farms as a produce cart, or even as an ambulance at Marsabit desert to provide emergency care to the forgotten communities and as a truck to ferry drugs to those remote places that you have never heard of!; With ample backing, the African Bulldog can do for Kenya what the Citroen 2CV did for France and the V.W Beetle for Germany!

Company Overview

Heino Autoworx is a Leading 4x4 vehicle workshop based in Mombasa at the Mtwapa Creek, Kenya. We have been involved in the maintenance of 4x4 vehicles and S.U.Vs for years and we decided to push the boundaries.

Description


The African Bull Dog is the brain child of Engineer Heino, he has a vast experience in the automotive and boat industry. The crew has been working tirelessly to ensure that we meet our target and we build a vehicle that meets the standards of the 4X4s we work on on a daily basis.

Mission


4X4 Extreme Efficient Performance!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/African-Bull-Dog/160682840649799?sk=wall