Manufacturer Illuminati Motor Works Class Full-size | Model years 2010 | |
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Production Prototype 2007 - present Assembly United States: Divernon, Illinois Designer Kevin Smith and Josh Spradlin | ||
Illuminati Motor Works Seven is a prototype of a 4-passenger battery electric vehicle. It was handcrafted by Illuminati Motor Works (IMW), and placed second in the mainstream class of the Progressive Automotive XPRIZE with a combined rating of 119.8 MPGe. It has since achieved an EPA rating of 207 MPGe when tested at the Chrysler proving grounds through funding provided by the X PRIZE foundation and the US Department of Energy and now surpasses the MPGe of all three winning vehicles of the Progressive Automotive XPRIZE.
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Illuminati Motor Works
Illuminati Motor Works is a volunteer group of mostly self-funded automotive enthusiasts, engineers, technicians, and artists located in Central IL. Kevin Smith (Team Leader/Engineer), Nate Knappenburger (Electronics Technician), Jen Danzinger (Graphic Artist/ Web Liaison), Josh Spradlin (Graphic Designer/Parts Hound/ Fabricator), Nick Smith (Master Craftsman), Thomas Pasko (Master Automotive Technician), and George Kennedy (Engineer) comprised the core team at the Progressive Automotive XPRIZE.
Design
Seven's design emphasizes aerodynamics and is constructed of hand-sculpted foam and fiberglass over a steel frame. In 2013 the body was re-sculpted and molds were created. New body panels were constructed from carbon fiber and Kevlar. It utilizes recycled and off-the-shelf components including a 32kW hour battery pack (99 Thundersky 100 amp hour lithium iron phosphate cells with 3.2 nominal voltage), a MES DEA 200-330 electric induction motor, modified 1997 Geo Metro/Suzuki Swift transmission, Mazda Miata windshield, and more.
Performance statistics
Post competition performance statistics are as follows:
Awards
Elimination from Automotive XPrize
Seven was eliminated from the knockout round of the Progressive Automotive XPrize for failure to achieve 0-60 MPH acceleration within 15 seconds. This was due to a slipping clutch which had already reduced the vehicle's efficiency to 119.8 MPGe on the track.