Protean Electric In-Wheel Motors Provide Power to New BRABUS EV and Hybrid Cars at Frankfurt Motor Show

FRANKFURT, Germany, Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BRABUS, the highly acclaimed independent automobile tuner, has unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show press days two all new luxury performance cars both powered by Protean Drive™ in-wheel motors.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110913/DE67185 )

The first BRABUS EV sedan, called the "High-performance Four-wheel-drive Full Electric Car," is based on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It  features an all new EV system developed to demonstrate a peak combined 320 kW (430 hp) and 3,200 Nm (2,350 ft.-lbs.) torque from pure electric power using four direct-drive Protean Electric motors, one in each wheel.    

A second BRABUS hybrid drive vehicle, called the "Technology Project Hybrid," also made its debut at the show.  Powering the rear wheels in combination with the internal combustion engine, the Protean Electric in-wheel motors each add 80 kW (110 hp) and 800 Nm (590 ft.-lbs.) of peak torque. This gives the sedan a combined electric motor and internal combustion engine acceleration of 0-100 km/hr (0-62 mph) in 7.4 seconds and a combined electric motor and internal combustion engine acceleration of 60-120 km/hr (37-75 mph) of 5.6 seconds.

Beyond performance, the high efficiency and regenerative braking capability of the Protean Drive™ system in the hybrid car improve fuel economy about 30 percent vs. a comparable vehicle not equipped with the Protean Electric in-wheel motors.  

In addition to Protean Electric, BRABUS also has worked with Boston Power, a leading maker of lithium-ion batteries.  The EV and hybrid vehicles also represent the debut of Boston Power's liquid-cooled module, Swing Medley™.  

BRABUS is well known for its discerning use of only the best technology to perfect the performance of its elite supercars.

"BRABUS is proud of our collaboration with Protean Electric as an expression of our continued commitment to technological excellence," said Ulrich-Joachim Gauffres, executive vice president of Research and Development, BRABUS GmbH.

"We're pleased to work with BRABUS to demonstrate what Protean's EV and hybrid power can deliver to the world's most discerning automotive customers," Protean CEO Bob Purcell said. "Our in-wheel motors not only provide for significant performance improvement, but do so in a very responsible manner – with better fuel economy and emissions as well."  

Protean Electric's in-wheel motor technology also has earned global recognition from the World Economic Forum.  Protean was named a 2012 Technology Pioneer by this prestigious organization earlier this month. This honor is given to the world's 25 most innovative technology start-ups that represent the latest generation of innovation and are poised to have a positive impact on global markets.

For more information on Protean Electric, please visit http://www.proteanelectric.com. For more information on BRABUS, go to http://www.brabus.com.  For further information on the Technology Pioneers 2012, please visit http://www.weforum.org/techpioneers.

About Protean:

Protean Electric is a leading clean technology company that designs, develops and manufactures the Protean Drive(TM), a fully integrated, in-wheel motor, direct-drive solution. Each motor has a built-in inverter, control electronics and software, delivering a practical way to electrify full-size vehicles with no compromise in performance. Protean Electric is strategically positioned to play a major role in the hybrid and electric vehicle market by offering a combination of packaging advantages, new vehicle design opportunities, performance benefits and cost savings. With offices in the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States, Protean Electric's core R&D center is based in Farnham, England.

SOURCE Protean Electric