Holden reveals virtual Time Attack Concept
BY JUSTIN HILLIARD | 5th Oct 2018
GM HOLDEN has called upon its Melbourne-based design team to create the Time Attack Concept, a virtual racecar that celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Australian brand’s first win at the Mount Panorama racetrack in Bathurst, NSW.
The aptly named Time Attack Concept is designed to be a futuristic single-lap tearaway, not an endurance vehicle, and was developed virtually using simulation technology.
According to GM Holden design director Richard Ferlazzo, automotive design has evolved with new technologies enabling higher-quality vehicles to be produced more quickly.
“The technology we employ today has transformed the way we design cars,” he said. “We have the ability to simulate a car’s appearance, technology and dynamics in convincing animations, which enables us to deliver better designs in a shorter time.
“A large part of our work is advanced design, and we use this technology to develop concept designs for our parent company, General Motors.
“This concept is a digital advertisement for the advanced skills, capability and technology of the GM Holden team”.
Mr Ferlazzo added that times are changing, opening the door for further innovation in automotive design, particularly from a local perspective.
“The cessation of motor shows in Australia left a hole in our automotive culture in some ways and we lost a forum to showcase our passion and creativity to the Australian public with physical concept cars,” he said.
“However, with the realism and detail achievable through modern technology, I felt we could still deliver uniquely Holden concepts via virtual technology and digital media.”
The Time Attack Concept was developed with technical input from GM Holden’s in-house engineering team, while its final design was signed off with a digitally printed three-dimensional model.
The end result is a racecar with four electric motors that together produce 1000kW of power and 3240Nm of torque via four corresponding three-speed automatic transmissions.
In theory, with these outputs fed to all four wheels, the Time Attack Concept can sprint from standstill to 100km/h in 1.25 seconds while on the way to its top speed of 480km/h.
In keeping with its racing mantra, the Time Attack Concept can recharge its 800V battery pack in 90 seconds, enabling quick repeat attempts at lap records.
The Time Attack Concept’s carbon-fibre chassis is underpinned by double-wishbone suspension, electric power steering, carbon-ceramic brake discs and 18-inch carbon-fibre wheels wrapped in slick tyres.
Aerodynamics influence the Time Attack Concept low, wide, slippery shape that incorporates active panels which reduce the drag coefficient and increase cooling.
The driver is catered for with a helmet that features augmented reality, projecting 3D graphics onto its visor that show real-time information, such as the optimum racing line and braking zones.
Mr Ferlazzo was optimistic about the future of automotive industry in Australia, even with the first anniversary of the shuttering of local car manufacturing two weeks away.
“Automotive design and engineering remains a core strength and competitive advantage for Holden and for Australia,” he said.
“The Time Attack Concept racer is an illustration of how we can utilise cutting-edge technology to develop transportation solutions for the future.
“You can see from the extremely detailed approach to incorporating the advanced technology in our Time Attack Concept racer that this is more than just a visual exercise.”
As reported in August, Holden plans to add 150 engineers to its Australian team that will become a key cog in GM’s advanced vehicle development division which already has operations in the United States, China and South Korea.
Created by GM Holden’s design visualisation team, a video of the Time Attack Concept ‘lapping’ the Mount Panorama circuit in 1.29.30 will be aired on October 6 during the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 race event.
