The Bluebird name is back – and this time it’s on a road-legal supercar. This is the first sketch of the Bluebird DC50, an electric coupe that’ll be launched in 2014 to mark 50 years since Donald Campbell’s land and water speed record runs.
It’s the brainchild of Don Wales, grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell and nephew of Donald Campbell. The DC50 will be launched alongside a new electric racing car concept, the Bluebird GTL, which is slated for a Formula E championship entry in 2014.
So what’s the road car’s performance like?
The claims are bold for an upstart electric supercar. The team is promising a sub-1000kg kerbweight, near-perfect 45/55% front/rear weight distribution, and a choice of three electric drivetrains with either 240bhp, 280bhp or 360bhp.
Top-spec versions will be capable of 0-60mph in ‘less than six seconds’, with a limited top speed of 140mph. A full battery recharge cycle is said to take just four hours, with the range of the least powerful version said to stretch to 200 miles.
With only 50 examples being produced (all built in the UK), the Bluebird is focused on buyer personalisation. As well as the ‘choose your power level’ option, there’s a bespoke-trimmed cabin with a built-in Apple iPad driver interface incorporated into a ‘unique floating dashboard’ that included Bluetooth connectivity as standard. The DC50 uses electrically operated Lamborghini-style scissor doors and, yes, it only comes in blue.
The DC50 will be available to order in September 2013, with prices announced simultaneously. Bluebird is aiming to deliver the first finished cars to customers by spring 2014.
And what’s the plan for the Bluebird GTL racing car?
Launching alongside the Bluebird DC50 is the GTL racer, a single-seat electric racing car designed to conform to the new Formula E race series regulations. Formula E will launch in 2014 as the FIA’s newly certified all-electric single-seater racing championship, using open-wheel, battery-powered cars on city circuits to promote electric vehicle technology (and sex up its image). London, Miami and Rio de Janeiro have already signed up to host races.
Both new Bluebirds will be launched at the UK’s National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Hampshire, on 28 September 2013. ‘The Campbell family and Bluebird have had a long association with the National Motor Museum Beaulieu,’ says Don Wales. ‘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 sports car and Bluebird GTL electric race car at Beaulieu.’
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