Venturi's latest attempt at setting the record for the fastest land speed EV (electric vehicle) has been postponed once again due to storms and flooding at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA.
The company's attempt at breaking its own record of 307mph (494km/h) was originally scheduled for the 13th September, but conditions at the Salt Flats made the event organisers push the attempt back by five days. Over a week later, and the continuing bad weather has caused the attempt to be cancelled until later in the year.
When a new date is scheduled, one thing Venturi shouldn't need to worry about is the readiness of the vehicle. The VBB-3.0 is certainly a marvel to behold; measuring in at more than 11 metres in length and weighing a hefty 3.2 tonnes, its drag coefficient of just 0.13 and its enormous power will have to work together in order to break the record.
Venturi's previous records began in 2009 when it managed 304mph (489km/h), and then again in 2010 with a top speed of 307mph. So, naturally, we would expect this attempt to aim for somewhere around 315mph (507km/h). Or maybe 320mph (515km/h). But no, Venturi claims that the VBB-3.0 is aiming for that magic 400mph (643km/h) mark; with aims of beating that next year as well.
In order to achieve this, some colossal power figures are involved. Fitted inside are two electric motors, developing a whopping 3,000hp between them. The same motors produce up to 2,800Nm of torque. Drive is sent to all four wheels to keep things stable. Compare this to the 800hp and 500Nm of torque produced by the previous VBB-2.5 and you can see that Venturi has certainly upped its game.
The man piloting the VBB-3.0 is professional speed racer, Roger Schroer. Schroer is already a member of the very exclusive 300mph Club; and aims to join just seven other pilots in the 400mph Club once the event has taken place.
Anything else?
Following the upcoming 400mph record attempt in the VBB-3.0 Venturi aims to beat this record in 2014 where it will try and top 440mph - more than 700km/h. Just don't ask what the range is...