Zombie 222 - An All-Electric 800hp Classic Mustang

Have you ever thought that a classic Mustang would be the ideal car for an electric conversion?

Neither have I, but a guy from Texas did and followed through on his thought by building what is likely the fastest all-electric classic Mustang in the world.

Called Zombie 222, the Mustang fastback’s electric motors produce over 800hp and a monumental 1,800lb-ft (2,438Nm) of torque. It does 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 2.4 seconds and the quarter-mile in 10.7 seconds at 125 mph (201 km/h).

The silent but deadly fast Mustang was built by Mitch Medford, a muscle car enthusiast who gave up on a career in tech to start Bloodshed Motors, a company which converts classic cars into ridiculously fast electric vehicles. His first and only project so far is the Zombie 222 and you can learn more about it by watching the video that follows.

Story references: The Verge

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2016 ELR Coupe Cadillac

This is the revised 2016 Cadillac ELR coupe that gains a boost in performance and improvements in handling and connectivity for the new model year, while keeping its design mostly intact. The only cosmetic changes are a tweaked grille and Cadillac's new wreathless badge. 

Cadillac made software upgrades to the battery system improving power and torque by a claimed 25 percent to 160kW / 215hp in tour mode and 174kW / 233hp in Sport mode, as well as pure EV range on the base model to about 39 miles (60 km), which increases to 330 miles (530 km) when combining pure electric driving and the range-extending 1.4L gasoline-powered engine. 

A modified Sport mode that combines engine and electric motor power cuts the ELR's 0-60 mph (96km/h) time by 1.5 seconds over the previous model to 6.4 seconds, with Cadillac also promising a higher top-speed of 130mph (209km/h) in Sport and Hold modes with the optional Performance Package, and 106mph (171km/h) in regular mode. 

The newly available Performance Package adds several goodies including 20-inch summer performance tires that are said to improve lateral grip by nearly 10 percent, recalibrated Continuous Damping Control and electric power steering systems, front Brembo brakes with four pistons that improve 60-to-0 mph stopping distance by almost 12 percent and a sports steering wheel with a thicker-rim.

Besides the optional Performance Package, all 2016 ELRs get the following steering and suspension upgrades:

• Revised calibration of the HiPer Strut front suspension
• Increased front spring rates and a stiffer rear axle
• Stiffer bushings for the front lower control arms, cradle mounts and Watts link in the rear suspension, for more precise control with no loss of ride quality
• Revised calibrations for the Continuous Damping Control system
• Front Damper Rebound Spring added
• New steering calibration tuned to complement the revised chassis and suspension systems
• Revised brake hardware and system calibration for improved application feel.

For 2016, the previously optional Driver Assistance package that includes side blind zone alert, rear cross traffic alert and Intellibeam headlamps, becomes standard, while the ELR also gets GM's OnStar with 4G LTE and standard built-in Wi-Fi hotspot with a "three-month/three-gigabyte data trial, whichever comes first". In addition, there's also a new magnetic inductive charge spot on the instrument panel that allows passengers to recharge their enabled phones wirelessly. 

According to Cadillac, the 2016 ELR will go on sale with a starting price of $58,495 after U.S. federal tax credits.

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Porsche 356e Electric Powered Sports Coupe

While the Cayman GT4 does a fine job maintaining Porsche's traditions in the 21st century, it’s cars like the 918 Spyder that point the way to the future. And like it or not, electrification, be that through hybrid, plug-in hybrid, pure-battery or fuel-cell solutions, is here to stay.

Porsche has shown a remarkable ability to quickly adapt to changing times and tastes, all while keeping its core values alive – granted, sometimes more (911, Cayman), sometimes far less (Cayenne, Panamera). 

That said, it's in Porsche DNA to present a pure-electric powered model at some point in the very near future, but the question is, what will that model be? 

Perhaps Porsche could follow Audi's example and electrify one of its existing models such as the 911 or even the Panamera, or they could go all BMW i8 on us and create a dedicated EV from the ground up, which frankly, does sound like something Stuttgart would do. 

Bez Dimitri, a freelance designer who graduated from the ENSAAMA in Paris, France, prefers the second scenario, so he came up with a proposal for a standalone, pure-electric Porsche model named 356e. 

Dimitri tells us that the study combines a back-to-basics approach inspired by the classic 356 small sports car with a modern Porsche design twist. About the hump at the back, Dimitri explains that the "elevated rear volume houses the batteries and the motor". 

What say you about a small electric-powered Porsche sports coupe?

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Bugatti TypeZero Concept

French designer Marc Devauze looked at Bugatti's glorious past and chose the brand's most successful racecar ever, the 1920's Type 35 that won over 1,000 races including the Grand Prix World Championship as well as the famed Targa Florio, for inspiration in creating his award winning TypeZero Concept.

The TypeZero is a study for a single-seater, electric powered "hypercar". It was designed to feature four in-wheel electric motors fed by detachable Lithium-Air batteries located on either side of the driver.

Other highlights include the minimalistic interior that Devauze says is constructed "like an old race car with an enveloping bucket seat stretched through the car".

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VW Rocky SUV

Here's another design concept for a small crossover model utilizing the platform hardware from the Volkswagen Up! family of mini cars.

 The Rocky Concept featured in these renderings maded by designer Rafael Gordo García from Spain, is a little bit more compact at 3.7 meters (146 inches) long, with the three-door model dreamt up to run on electric power.

For more details on the the Rocky Concept, head past the break to read García's description of the project.

VW Rocky Concept Project by Rafael Gordo García:“In the exterior I was looking for a really strong, solid image, that could be recognized as a Volkswagen at first glance, but with a younger, more daring look than the rest of VW SUV’s (Tiguan, Touareg).”
“The proportions, with the short, horizontal hood and really short overhangs, give the Rocky a very solid yet agile image.
“Its boxy forms, wide sheet surfaces and pronounced fenders provide the car of a great stance.
“The narrow and angular DLO gives the Rocky a very dynamic look, without being claustrophobic thanks to the wide glass ceiling.
“The front end has the familiar Volkswagen face, with big headlights fitted on the horizontal, narrow grill like those of the first Golf. The graphic seen on the door also reminds of the classic 181, the ‘first’ off-road Volkswagen, Small cameras on the top of the floating cant rails work as mirrors.”
“At the rear, the glass back door framed inside the body gives the car a really solid image from behind. The elevated pilot lights they blend with the spoiler on the top, creating a floating effect.”
The car is powered by four electric motors set inside the wheels; the light plastic rims completely cover and protect them, with the five arms ‘floating’ over the center.”
“Due to its structure, the Rocky could also fit an explosion/hybrid engine under its hood if necessary in any particular market.”
“There’s also a more rugged version with unpainted bumpers and fenders and aluminum touches.”

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