The 1036bhp Electric Faraday Future Test Mule Is Going Racing At Pikes Peak

Remember Faraday Future? The company that said it plans to beat Tesla at its own game as soon as next year has announced the next step in its first car’s testing regime: to take on the famous Pikes Peak hill climb.

The FF 91 will take part in the Exhibition Class, using roughly production-spec hardware and software. Its challenge is a 12.4-mile point-to-point course that rises 1440m in altitude from start to finish, taking in 156 corners on what is generally acknowledged to be one of the toughest Tarmac courses to drive flat-out anywhere in the world.

And it won’t be easy in something this long. The FF 91 has a 3.2-metre wheelbase; more than 20cm longer than an entire Toyota iQ, which would typically make the Nurburgring the more suitable challenge.

Despite rumours of massive instability behind the scenes on top of financial issues, the Chinese-backed startup looks to be still on track to drop the FF 91 before the end of 2018. Some 64,000 ‘reservations’ have reportedly been placed on it – although not all involved money changing hands.

Auto Express quotes Nick Sampson, Faraday Future’s senior vice president of research and development, as saying:

“Testing the performance of FF 91 in real-world conditions sets the bar even higher as we bring the vehicle to market in 2018. The hill climb on Pikes Peak serves as the ideal setting to further develop the electric propulsion system and supporting thermal systems of FF 91.”

Beneath the skin there’s a 130kWh battery that the company claims will help make the car good for a 0-60mph sprint in 2.39 seconds with the backing of 1036bhp and 1328lb ft from little more than a standstill. There’s potential for a range of up to 378 miles per charge. At present it’s compatible with standard plug-in methods, but wireless charging is promised in the future.
Via: Auto Express