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Electric T-Rex wants a bite of the X-Prize

OptaMotive has partnered with Campagna Motors to bring a high efficiency version of its high-performance T-Rex to the Progressive Automotive X-Prize.

Antuan Goodwin Reviews Editor / Cars
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Expertise Reviewing cars and car technology since 2008 focusing on electrification, driver assistance and infotainment Credentials
  • North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year (NACTOY) Awards Juror
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Antuan Goodwin

Campagna T-Rex
Campagna Motors

The Campagna T-Rex is a high-performance reverse-tricycle with a pair of front wheels handling the steering, a 1400cc motorcycle drivetrain with a single drive wheel out back, and a two-seat passenger compartment in between. OptaMotive has partnered with Campagna Motors to bring high efficiency to the formula without losing any of the high performance. How do they plan to do it? By chucking the gasoline-fueled drivetrain and creating an all-electric T-Rex to compete for the Progressive Automotive X-Prize.

Transformers Grimlock toy
"ME GRIMLOCK GET 150 MPG!" Flickr user mdverde

OptaMotive's code-name for the project is "Surge," but I think the "Grimlock" would be a much better name for an electric T-Rex. (Get it?)

Specs are extremely vague for now, but the electric T-Rex should be powered by lithium battery tech with an expected range of more than 100 miles. Weighing less than 2,000 pounds and making over 100 horsepower, OptaMotive is targeting a sub-10-second 0-60 time, all while maintaining the electric equivalent of 150 mpg. Those are pretty lofty goals, but--when you consider the T-Rex's bare-bones construction--also very achievable ones.

Check out the video below to see the gasoline T-Rex in action. Hopefully, its electric performance should be something like what we see here, albeit much, much more quiet.