The tzero

The tzero

April 1997

by Paul Van Valkenburgh

You can call Alan Cocconi the Ferdinand Porsche of EVs because of his expertise in high-performance drivelines. And of late, he's been selling his motors and controllers to EV racers. But most recently, he's been joined by three other young engineers to develop the tzero for limited production. If you're an enthusiast with an open mind and checkbook, and are willing to sacrifice amenities for flash, the tzero may be for you

The car has a familiar rear-drive sports-car layout, with a midmounted motor and a modified tubular steel space frame that has 4-wheel independent suspension with coil-over shocks. More racing than street is the Sportech fiberglass body, whose step-over sides now house 28 Optima spiral-wound lead-acid batteries that weigh 1200 lb., about 50 percent of the total vehicle weight. The motor is air cooled, and its 220 bhp give the tzero the power-to-weight ratio of a Corvette.

With 53-percent rear weight, a dead-flat torque curve, P205/55 rear tires, and integral traction control, the claimed 0-60-mph time of 4.9 sec. is believable. The tzero feels and sounds like a jet fighter ("whiiiiiiiing") with quiet thrust that seems endless. Top speed is governed at 87 mph to prevent overrevving the motor with its single-speed transmission. The disc brakes are only lightly used, because of the extreme regeneration available at the rear wheels. With Cocconi's patented 220-volt onboard charger, a full recharge is possible in as little as one hour. For range predictions, your mileage may vary, but 100 miles is possible in "normal" use. Price will be determined by volume, but could possible dip as low as $60,000.