Cars like the Rimac Nevera and Tesla Model S have proven that electric sports cars are a giant heap of fun, and most manufacturers are scrambling to offer something electric and sporty to a rapidly expanding market. Ford is yet to release a dedicated EV sports car, but its Mustang Mach-E is a blast to drive, and you can even buy its power plant in crate form to power your own EV projects. One company taking advantage of Ford's Eluminator M-9000-MACHE motor is the E-Cite Motors Group. The company is about to start production of a new affordable EV sports car codenamed "E-CGT," and by the sound of things, it's going to be a blast to drive
The Ford crate motor produces a healthy 281 horsepower, 317 lb-ft of torque, and weighs only 205 lbs. The motor is legal in all 50 states, and this is the first instance where the Ford Eluminator Motor will be supplied as an OEM motor for a newly manufactured vehicle.
The vehicle its going into will be a modern version of a 'legendary' sports car from the 1960s and 70s, so it could be anything from a Shelby Cobra or Ford GT40 to a Jaguar E-Type lookalike. E-Cite says that project E-CGT features an easily removable hardtop that stores in the front trunk and will be available with an affordable fiberglass body or an S version with carbon fiber body panels, more power, and an improved suspension setup. The car will feature a skateboard-style chassis or space frame depending on power outputs.
The design remains a secret, but the image above is of one of E-Cite's previous designs, showcasing the brand's interesting design preferences.
The E-CGT falls under the Low Volume Vehicle Manufacturers Act of 2015, which means that this car won't have to meet stringent safety standards and procure other expensive certifications. This, in turn, keeps the prices accessible to more potential customers. E-Cite plans on delivering its first car in 2023, only a year after the idea was born. Partnering with Ford should also keep costs low and add reliability and serviceability to the mix.
"I have worked closely with Ford for some time and have personally facilitated the purchase of hundreds of engines in the past," COO Gene Langmesser commented. "The ability to have such a strong supplier of state-of-the-art motors is monumental in our ability to establish E-Cite as a long-term manufacturer. We have now solved the biggest of our engineering and supply challenges for major components."