BEAULIEU SEPT 2013

One of the largest and most varied sustainable and eco-friendly motoring events in now scheduled to take place at Beaulieu on 5th and 6th April 2014 (provisional).

Organised by Eco-Motorsport Ltd, the two-day event will feature a 400m circuit with live electric vehicle (EV) demonstrations. There will be displays of the latest electric and hybrid cycles, cars and motorbikes and an exhibition of companies foremost in the sustainable vehicle industry. In addition, there will be a full programme of seminars and debates about all aspects of e-motor sport and of the development of low carbon and EVs as city transport.

For more information visit the organisers website www.cheltenhammotorsports.com

The MotoExpo seems to have created quite a buzz among the motoring press, with virtually every online publisher running similar stories, which we cite here for review and comparison. The new Bluebird DC50 looks like a sweet machine. We are keen to find out more about the mechanical specification, the designer and manufacturer, and will report on that also, and other sustainable steeds once the event gets going.

GT SPIRIT.COM SEPTEMBER 20 2013

Just a couple months after our excitement reached epic proportions following the announcement of the Bluebird DC50 sports car, it’s been confirmed its debut will be postponed.

The car was set to make its world debut at the Sustainable MotorExpo next weekend, but unfortunately, that event has been postponed until April 2014.

Bluebird is a company which is known for its cutting-edge technology and record-breaking traditions. Bluebird’s new DC50 will receive a limited production run of only 50 units to dignify the 50th anniversary of the land and water speed records broken by Donald Campbell back in 1964 with a land speed record of 429 mph in the Bluebird CN7 and a water speed record of 276.33 mph in the Bluebird K7. The Bluebird CN7 is now displayed publicly at the British National Motor Museum.

Whenever the car is revealed, it will feature an electric engine which can produce up to 360bhp. Although there have been no official 0-60 mph times released at this time, the DC50 is said to have the acceleration speed to match a Porsche.

The electric sports car will have a two-door coupe body style which will also features electrically operated scissor doors and will only be available in one color; Bluebird Blue. The car also has a range of up to 200 miles on a single charge.

20 SEPTEMBER 2013 DIGITAL TRENDS - FEELING BLUE: 

The Bluebird DC50 electric sports car delayed until 2014. The DC50 electric sports car could be a mean machine - if it is ever actually built.

With a little luck, a famous land speed record car could be reborn as a road-legal electric sports car.

Unfortunately, though, the Bluebird DC50 seems to be out of luck. It was supposed to debut at the upcoming Sustainable Motor Expo, but the car’s launch has been pushed back to April 2014, GTSpirit reports. We’re hoping this doesn’t spell the demise of the little EV sports car because, on paper, it has an impressive pedigree.

The DC50 pays tribute to Bluebird’s past land and water speed record vehicles. Its name signifies the 50th anniversary of Donald Campbell’s 1964 429 mph land speed record in the Bluebird CN7 and water speed record of 276.33 mph in the Bluebird K7. The DC50′s creator, Don Wales, is Campbell’s nephew.

The DC50 won’t be breaking any land speed records, but it should be pretty brisk.

Bluebird will reportedly build versions with 240 horsepower, 280 hp, and 360 hp. It will get from 0-60 mph in “less than six seconds” and reach a top speed of 140 mph. Bluebird says it will weight under 2,200 pounds and have a 45/55 front/rear weight distribution.

However, the DC50 wouldn’t fare well in a drag race against a Tesla Roadster Sport or the upcoming Detroit Electric SP:01 [Lotus Elise based], both of which will reach 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. The Bluebird does have a 10 mph top speed advantage over the Tesla, but Detroit Electric says its car will do 155 mph.

Detroit Electric is having problems of its own, though, which means the DC50 has a realistic chance of being the only electric sports car in production if it can get out of the factory doors next year. If it ever does see the production floor, however, only 50 will be made.

By Stephen Edelstein — September 20, 2013

ATTRACTIONS: THE NEXT GREEN CAR

The world exclusive unveiling of two new electric Bluebird vehicles will take place at this year's Sustainable MotoExpo event, happening at the National Motor Museum, in Beaulieu.

The Sustainable MotoExpo event promises to be one of the largest and most varied eco-friendly motoring events in the country, and will take place on 28 September 2013 (delayed).

The Bluebird name is famous for recently securing a record land speed record, a tradition continued by Don Wales, grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell and nephew of Donald Campbell.

At the Sustainable MotoExpo, Wales will launch his Bluebird DC50 electric sports car – a limited edition of just 50 Bluebird electric sports cars built to commemorate the 50th anniversary in 2014 of Donald Campbell's land and water speed records.

With peak power of up to 360bhp and acceleration to match a Porsche, the Bluebird DC50 is a two-door coupe with electrically operated 'scissor' doors. It has a range of up to 200 miles, depending on specification, and will be available in one body colour only – Bluebird blue.

Also to be launched simultaneously at the event will be the Bluebird GTL electric race car. The car has been designed to the latest technical regulations for the forthcoming FIA Formula E series and is Bluebird's 'vision' for the all-electric global race series due to start in 2014.

Wales says: "The Campbell family and Bluebird have had a long association with the National Motor Museum Beaulieu. The museum is home to a wonderful historic land speed display celebrating the achievements of Sir Malcolm Campbell and Donald Campbell. It seems only fitting that we will be launching both the Bluebird DC50 electric sportscar and Bluebird GTL electric race car at Beaulieu."

The National Motor Museum's collection of record breaking cars currently includes the 350hp Sunbeam Malcolm Campbell bought and renamed Bluebird to break the 150mph barrier in 1925. There is also Major Henry Segrave's 1,000hp Sunbeam of 1927 and his Golden Arrow of 1929. Pride of place goes to Bluebird, the car in which Donald Campbell set a World Land Speed Record of 403.10 mph on 17 July 1964.

Wales will also participate in a land speed debate on Saturday 28th September at 4.00pm, entitled: Discover the quest for speed and man's desire to be the fastest person on land.

Organised by Eco-Motorsport Ltd, the two-day event at the National Motor Museum will feature a 600m circuit with live electric vehicle (EV) demonstrations. There will be displays of the latest electric and hybrid cycles, cars and motorbikes and an exhibition of companies foremost in the sustainable vehicle industry. In addition, there will be a full programme of seminars and debates about all aspects of e-motor sport and of the development of low carbon and EVs as city transport.

Cars UK published these versions of the press released pictures

CARS UK JULY 9 2013 - THE BLUEBIRD DC50

The Bluebird DC50 is a limited run electric supercar and the brainchild of Don Wales, grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell and nephew of Donald.

Don Wales has an impressive family tree – certainly when it comes to speed – with Sir Malcolm Campbell his grandfather and Donald Campbell his uncle.

So it’s no big surprise that Don is plotting to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Donald Campbell’s land and water world speed records in 2014 with a new, limited edition supercar, taking time out from making Bluebirds to break the electric land speed record.

But the anniversary is in 2014, so Campbell junior has decided that his celebratory supercar – the Bluebird DC50 – will be an electric supercar rather than an ICE one.

The Bluebird DC50 will come with peak power of up to 360bhp (you’ll be able to choose different power outputs when you order), a kerbweight the right side of 1000kg and performance, at least on the 360bhp version ‘as good as a Porsche’.

Not only does the Bluebird promise decent performance, it also promises to go up to 200 miles between charges (probably not if you have your foot to the floor), a bespoke cabin with a built-in Apple iPad interface and a set of something every self-respecting supercar needs – scissor doors.

The DC50 will be revealed at the Sustainable MotoExpo at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in September, alongside a new Bluebird GTL electric race car which is heading for the new FIA Formula E Series. No word on a price yet for the Bluebird DC50, but we don’t expect it to be bargain basement.

EV World's version of the DC50. Not a bad looking car, reminiscent of the Lotus Elise, or Exige, as used by Nick Ponting to set the newest UK EV LSR

EV WORLD 11 JULY 2013

Scion of land-speed record holders lends the family's Bluebird moniker to a pair of electric cars: the DC50 sports car and GTL Formula E racer.

Few names evoke speed more than Bluebird, a moniker associated with a long string of vehicles faster than any other on the planet.

It seems right then that the family with whom those vehicles are most associated is to launch an electric sports car of the same name, at this year's Sustainable MotorExpo in the UK.

Don Wales, grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell and nephew of Donald Campbell - each a land-speed record holder in days gone by - has continued his family's tradition with attempts to break the land speed record for electric vehicles.

Technology is as important as speed in such a pursuit and a run of 350 Bluebird DC50 sports cars will be released to bring some of that record-setting technology to the roads.

All the Formula E cars are essentially the same vehicle manufactured by Mclaren for the FIA event.

THE GREEN CAR WEBSITE - BLUEBIRD DEBUT RACERS 13 JULY 2013

In case you needed an additional reason to head to the Sustainable MotoExpo this September, then legendary record-breakers, Bluebird have given us the perfect excuse.

The Bluebird Electric team will launch the new Bluebird DC5 electric sports car at the show-a limited edition of just 50 electric cars built to commemorate the 50th anniversary in 2014 of Donald Campbell's land and water speed records.

The Campbell family name and the name Bluebell are synonymous with electric record-breaking-a record-breaking, a tradition continued by Don Wales, grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell and nephew of Donald Campbell.

In revealing the new model, Bluebird promise that the new DS5 model will deliver peak power of up to 360bhp and the ‘acceleration to match a Porsche’. Featuring electrically operated scissor doors, the model has a range of up to 200 miles per charge and will be available in one body colour only-Bluebird Blue.

But’s that’s not all. At the same time, Bluebird will reveal the Bluebird GTL electric race car, designed to meet the regulations for the forthcoming FIA Formula E series of electric car races.

Organised by Eco-Motorsport Ltd, the two-day Sustainable Motoexpo event, held at the National Motor Museum Beaulieu in Hampshire, will feature a 600m circuit with live electric vehicle (EV) demonstrations. There will be displays of the latest electric and hybrid cycles, cars and motorbikes and an exhibition of companies at the forefront of the sustainable vehicle industry. In addition, there will be a full programme of seminars and debates about all aspects of e-motor sport and of the development of low carbon and electric vehicles for city transport.

Sustainable MotoExpo 2013 will build on the success of last year's event held on Cheltenham promenade, which attracted more than 10,500 visitors and was attended by The Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and by Robert Llewellyn of Red Dwarf TV series fame and presenter of the Fully Charged online show.

Tickets for the show this year will include access to the Museum, where you’ll be able to see the 350hp Sunbeam Malcolm Campbell bought and renamed Bluebird, to break the 150mph barrier in 1925. There is also Major Henry Segrave's 1,000hp Sunbeam of 1927 and his Golden Arrow of 1929. Pride of place goes to Bluebird, the car in which Donald Campbell set a World Land Speed Record of 403.10mph on 17 July 1964.

Wales will also participate in a land speed debate on Saturday 28th September at 4.00pm, entitled: ‘Discover the quest for speed and man’s desire to be the fastest person on land’.

The Sustainable Motoexpo will run from September 28 to 29, 2013, at the National Motor Museum. Tickets cost from £10.

One of the nicer picture versions of the Bluebird DC50

GREEN CAR REPORTS JULY 9 2013

Few names evoke speed more than Bluebird, a moniker associated with a long string of vehicles faster than any other on the planet. It seems right then that the family with whom those vehicles are most associated is to launch an electric sports car of the same name, at this year's Sustainable MotorExpo in the UK.

Don Wales, grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell and nephew of Donald Campbell - each a land-speed record holder in days gone by - has continued his family's tradition with attempts to break the land speed record for electric vehicles.

Technology is as important as speed in such a pursuit and a run of 350 Bluebird DC50 sports cars will be released to bring some of that record-setting technology to the roads.

The sleek, scissor-doored DC50's electric drivetrain develops 360 horsepower with acceleration "to match a Porsche". It eclipses the typical range of most electric vehicles too, with a claimed 200-miles depending on specification.

The only color is, unsurprisingly, Bluebird Blue - but so stunning does the car look and so significant the lineage, we'll let them off on that particular lack of spectral choice.

Alongside the Bluebird DC50, Don Wales will also launch a new electric race car, set to compete in next year's global Formula E race series.

Called the Bluebird GTL, the single-seat, open-wheeled vehicle is the perfect complement to its road-going counterpart.

Both cars will debut at the Sustainable MotorExpo, held at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu. Wales says, "The Campbell family and Bluebird have had a long association with the National Motor Museum Beaulieu.

"The museum is home to a wonderful historic land speed display celebrating the achievements of Sir Malcolm Campbell and Donald Campbell. It seems only fitting that we will be launching both the Bluebird DC50 electric sportscar and Bluebird GTL electric race car at Beaulieu."

Several other electric vehicles will be on display beside the two new Bluebirds, with talks and exhibitions planned to further the cause of electric vehicles in motorsport.

Whatever the team's success in Formula E (and we wish them all the best), with the DC50 we've certainly got another car to add to our electric vehicle wishlist. Now where'd that BMW i8 receipt go?...

ROMA, 26 AGO - Lancio mondiale in esclusiva di due nuove auto elettriche Bluebird all'esposizione eco sostenibile Motoexpo di quest'anno, che si terrà presso il famoso National Motor Museum a Beaulieu, in Francia.

Nell'immaginario, riferisce NextGreencar, Bluebird è sinonimo di tecnologia d'avanguardia e conquista di record di velocità su terra. La tradizione del nome continua con Don Wales, nipote dei leggendari recordman Sir Malcolm Campbell e Donald Campbell.

Nel fine settimana del 28-29 settembre Don Wales lancerà la sua supercar Bluebird DC50 al Motoexpo, costruita per commemorare il 50o anniversario del 2014, dei record di velocità sull'acqua e su terra di Donald Campbell. La Bluebird DC50 avrà una 'tiratura' limitata a soli 50 esemplari. Capace di erogare una potenza di 360 Cv e con un'accelerazione in grado di battere una Porsche, la Bluebird DC50 è una coupé a due porte con porte elettriche a 'forbice'. Ha un'autonomia fino a 320 km e sarà verniciata nella sola colorazione blu Bluebird. Nella stessa occasione sarà lanciata anche l'auto da competizione elettrica GTL, progettata secondo le più recenti norme tecniche per l'imminente Formula E FIA.

La GTL rappresenta la 'visione' Bluebird per le competizioni mondiali della Formula elettrica, il cui inizio è previsto per il 2014. ''La famiglia Campbell e la Bluebird'' ha detto Don Wales ''hanno una lunga collaborazione con il National Motor Museum Beaulieu. Il museo è sede di un grande show dei record storici di velocità su terra che celebra i successi di Sir Malcolm e Donald Campbell, per questo ci sembra giusto lanciare a Beaulieu sia la sportiva elettrica Bluebird DC50 che la macchina da corsa elettrica Bluebird GTL''. 

L'evento, della durata di due giorni, sarà caratterizzato dalla presenza di un circuito di 600m con dimostrazioni di veicoli elettrici dal vivo. Ci saranno esposizioni dei più recenti cicli elettrici e ibridi, auto e moto e una mostra delle più importanti aziende nel settore dei veicoli sostenibili. Inoltre, ci sarà un ricco programma di seminari e dibattiti su tutti gli aspetti dello sport del motore elettrico e sullo sviluppo delle tecnologie per ridurre le emissioni di carbonio e sui veicoli elettrici come mezzi di trasporto in città.

Blue seems to be a popular color for electric sports cars

DIGITAL TRENDS 4 APRIL 2013

Look out Tesla: Detroit Electric unveils Lotus-based SP:01, ‘the world’s fastest electric car’

Detroit Electric started building electric cars in 1907, then took a 74-year break. Now, the company is back with what it calls “the world’s fastest pure-electric production car.”

The SP:01 should look familiar because it’s based on the Lotus Elise, just like a certain other electric sports car we can think of: the defunct Tesla Roadster. The choice isn’t too surprising: Detroit Electric patron Albert Lam used to be CEO of Lotus Engineering Group, and Executive Director of Lotus Cars’ British division.

Like the Elise, the SP:01 is mid-engined, with an electric motor producing 200 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque replacing the gasoline line-four. It’s powered by two 37-kWh lithium-polymer batteries.

Interestingly, Detroit Electric will offer transmissions with multiple gears. Tesla eventually gave up on that approach because its electric motors’ vast torque tended to break transmissions, and said torque means shifting gears isn’t necessary anyway.

However, Detroit Electric will offer a choice of four or five-speed manual transmissions, or a two-speed automatic.

The Tesla Roadster made more power in its final Sport iteration (299 hp, 295 lb-ft) but, at roughly 2,400 pounds, the SP:01 is lighter.

The two cars pull off nearly identical acceleration times: the SP:01 will do 0-62 mph (0-100 kph) in 3.7 seconds, identical to the Roadster Sport’s time. But with a 155 mph top speed, the SP:01 beats the Roadster Sport’s maximum by 25 mph.

That performance comes at a price, though: Detroit Electric says a full recharge takes 4.3 hours. Range is 180 miles on the European cycle.

On the tech side, Detroit Electric has its own infotainment system called Smartphone Application Management Infotainment (SAMI). It connects a driver’s phone to the car’s sound system and navigation, and can also adjust the interior lighting.

Drivers can also use their phones to check the batteries’ charge, locate their cars in crowded parking lots, and preset the climate controls.

All of that performance and tech comes with a price tag of $135,000. Only 999 SP:01 sports cars will be built and, despite the British chassis, they will be built in the Detroit area. That’s an ambitious plan for one of the oldest names in the business.

Detroit Electric started building electric cars in 1907, when people weren’t sure if smelly, labor-intensive (and very new) gasoline cars were really the way to go. It closed its doors in 1939, after making about 13,000 EVs.

LINKS & REFERENCE

http://www.digitaltrends.com/photogalleries/detroit-electric-sports-car-unveiled/

http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/bluebird-dc50-electric-sports-car/

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http://www.beaulieu.co.uk/beaulieu-events/sustainable-motor-expo

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http://www.nextgreencar.com/hybrid-cars/

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http://bluebirdelectric.com/

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Bluebird-dc50-electric-sports-car-delayed-until-2014/

http://www.digitaltrends.com Bluebird-dc50

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