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GUMPERT NATHALIE THE VEHICLE OF THE FUTURE
First things first
The Gumpert Nathalie is a hydrogen-electric super sports car that cannot run out of gas. Its fuel cell permanently generates electricity from a methanol-water mixture and is therefore far superior to concepts that are bound to charging stations.
The Methanol Power Cell and 2-way electric
The Methanol Power Cell MPC uses methanol as an energy source (4 hydrogen atoms, 1 carbon atom, and 1 oxygen atom). By doing so, we avoid the dangers of liquid or gaseous free hydrogen because it is highly explosive, volatile, and easily inflammable. We use fuel cell technology to bypass the disadvantages of a hydrogen fuel cell. These include an extremely high pressure in the tank, the danger of explosion, and high volatility of pure hydrogen. The price of methanol is currently about one-third of the price of gasoline. Our MPC consumes approx. 4.5 liters of a methanol-water mixture (60% methanol/ 40% water) to produce 5kW of electricity per hour. This means that the Nathalie travels about 50 kilometres at city speed. The total range with one "tank filling" at 80 km/h is up to 850 kilometres.
Our Methanol Power Cell works according to the HTPEM principle (High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane). The hydrogen does not have to be extremely pure for the high- temperature fuel cell. We extract our hydrogen from methanol using a catalytic reaction. The excess hydrogen produced during the catalytic process is usually wasted. We, on the other hand, use it to maintain the temperature for the catalytic reaction. This results in higher electrical efficiency of 45 percent.
The combination of battery and MPC makes the new energy concept of the 2-way electric car so unique. If required, the battery can also be recharged conventionally. It has a capacity of approx. 60 kWh.
The construction
Nathalie is a super sports car with track performance features. The car's construction specifications, ideas, and concept are the brainchild of Roland Gumpert; Roland Maier is responsible for construction. The Nathalie has a space frame following the requirements of international racetracks. The weight distribution of the all-wheel-drive vehicle is 48:52 percent (front/rear).
Drive: 4W4E 2 gears
- Four Bosch SMG 180 electric motors with corresponding inverters
- Operating voltage max. 425 V*
- Mechanical power per electric motor max. peak 102 kW*
- Torque per electric motor max. 230 Nm*
- Speed electric motors max. 12,800 1/min*
- Steering: electrically assisted power steering
- 2 forward gears
* possible maximum values that are monitored and, if necessary, limited.
All-wheel-drive with 4 engines and 2 forward gears: A motor individually drives each wheel. A complex management system provides each wheel with the necessary torque (torque vectoring). This enables extremely high cornering speeds in curves. Traction losses of the wheels during acceleration on both dry and wet road surfaces are electronically prevented. This improves stability and driving safety significantly compared to conventionally powered all-wheel-drive vehicles. Electric motors are installed in the center of the vehicle instead of wheel hubs to keep the unsprung masses low.
The concept is also very service-friendly because four individual motors can be serviced independently of each other. Each axle carries two engines and a 2-speed transmission. To achieve the extreme acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 2.5 seconds, a first gear with a short ratio is necessary. At about 160 km/h, each transmission automatically shifts into second gear to achieve the top speed of 300 km/h. First, the gearbox of the front axle shifts; milliseconds later, the gearbox of the rear axle follows. An electronic control system monitors the shifting operation. It ensures that acceleration is virtually uninterrupted.
Braking
We use a state-of-the-art braking system with ABS, ESP, and iBooster system. Primarily, braking occurs by all four electric motors so that maximum energy recovery (recuperation) can take place. Only when the braking requirement exceeds a defined limit of the electric motors working as generators does the hydraulic braking system switch on smoothly. It decelerates via four disc brakes and with the aid of ABS.
Design
A super sports car looking into the automotive future. Its exterior design follows futuristically and technically inspired coupés; its technology meets the demands of racing cars. Nathalie allows its pilot to concentrate fully on the high driving dynamics and to focus on curves. The cockpit control center is consistently driver-oriented - ergonomically optimized. Its sporty, minimalist design meets all the requirements of an ultimate, electrically powered driving machine.
Interactivity
"It is going to rain soon; would you like to head for a covered parking lot?" A foresighted, self- learning, and interactive communication system supports the Nathalie’s pilot. It is networked with onboard systems, NAVI data, and Car-to-X information. On board are:
- a route assistant
- recommendations for curve speeds
- G-display with a pill (points to the acting direction)
- The current energy status is displayed in color by using the pill (charging with the MPC is displayed in blue; consumption in orange).
Service & Methanol
Over the next three years, Nathalie's exclusive clientele will be provided with an individual service operating throughout Europe. The supply of a water-methanol mixture is currently being developed with a business partner. We are also working on a supply-chain using the existing filling station network and also entirely new channels.
Gumpert AIWAYS
Under the umbrella of the international technology company AIWAYS, based in Shanghai, the cooperation with Gumpert AIWAYS opens a new chapter in German-Chinese automotive history. Mr. Fu Qiang acts as AIWAYS President and Roland Gumpert as CPO of AIWAYS and CEO of GUMPERT AIWAYS. Founded in 2017 with headquarters in the automotive core area of Ingolstadt, Gumpert AIWAYS will launch the Nathalie super sports car in an exclusive small series from 2020 onward, which is approved for road use.
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GUMPERT NATHALIE RACE
NATHALIE GOES RACING!
The world premiere of Roland Gumpert Nathalie Race at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.
Sports cars feel most comfortable on the racetracks of the world, pilot fighting against pilot for fractions of a second. We will be there and are going to present the new Gumpert Nathalie Race as an absolute world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show.
The racing version of the Roland Gumpert Nathalie features a reinforced drive train with 600 kW, greatly improved aerodynamics, and modifications to the suspension, brake system (increased recuperation), and cooling. The luxurious standard equipment has been replaced by weight- saving racing equipment. The acceleration of the Nathalie Race from 0-100 km/h is at around 2 seconds. The top speed of the production model of 300km/h has not been modified.
Our commitment aims to compete with the Nathalie Race in the EPCS race series approved by the FIA. After the successful Formula E, which has started into its fifth season, and the I-PACE eTROPHY, which was launched last year, the next purely electric racing series - the Tesla Model S racing series EPCS - will now start. The Electric Production Car Series (originally called Electric GT) has been officially approved by the FIA, the umbrella organization of worldwide motorsports. Officially, the FIA announced that not only racing cars based on the S P100D model will participate, but also others such as the Audi e-tron or, at a later date, the Porsche Taycan. The Nathalie Race will fight for victory with these vehicles.
The opening season of the EPCS is expected to take place at the end of this year or early 2020, with races planned in the UK, France, Portugal, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and some other countries.