Television comic Jay Leno launched the “Green Car Challenge” on his new prime time television show Friday, according to AutoTech Daily. In what’s due to be a recurring segment, celebrity drivers pilot a prototype all-electric Ford Focus hatchback around a makeshift parking lot racetrack at NBC studios.
The first to buckle up for the challenge was actress Drew Barrymore, who posted a lap time of 54 seconds on the specially designed course, in which drivers have to dodge various obstacles -- including cutouts of environmental champions such as former vice president Al Gore and actor/activist Ed Begley Jr.
The car is a one-off performance-oriented variant of the five-door Focus EV prototype unveiled earlier this year. Starting with a European Focus ST, Ford Motor Co. engineers removed the combustion engine and fuel tank and installed an electric powertrain with a single-speed gearbox. The 105-kW system provides an estimated driving range of 80 miles. It also generates 236 foot-pounds of torque, which Ford notes is nearly as much output as a V-6-powered 2010 Mustang. The lithium-ion battery pack contains 98 air-cooled, 60 amp-hour cells. Leno says the car consumes about a penny’s worth of electricity per lap.
The front springs and dampers come from the Ford Focus RS, but the rear units are unique to the Leno variants. Other features include Recaro racing seats, full roll cage, five-point racing harness and a special “electric orange” paint job. The car’s 3,420 pounds are distributed at a nearly 50:50 front-to-rear ratio to improve handling characteristics.
Earlier this year, Ford announced plans to launch an all-electric Focus in North America in 2011. Magna International Inc. will help integrate the electric propulsion system into the vehicle, supplying the electric traction motor, transmission, control units, energy storage system, battery charger and related systems.
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