Yahoo Autos Sierra Cars brings its range of Echo electric single-seaters to SEMA
Ken Block's death in a snowmobiling accident at the beginning of the year meant he couldn't make the do-over runs he's planned to do at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Daughter Lia and wife Lucy showed up at the mountain to represent the family name, Lia making a demo run in the 1,400-horsepower, Porsche 911-based Hoonipigasus, Lucy making a proper racing entry in the top-tier Unlimited Class driving a battery-electric Sierra Echo. The hill climb was a coming out of sorts for Sierra Cars, the five-year-old maker of racing single seaters committing to electric powertrains and its Echo range. Previously, the firm made hay with the ICE-powered 700, Alpha, and record-setting RX3 that showed up in Forza Horizon 5. Sierra's going to SEMA this month with its fleshed-out Echo lineup, including the limited-production Echo Block Edition that, with each sale, will make a contribution to the non-profit 43 Institute established after Ken Block's death.
Every model is powered by an electric powertrain developed with Utah-based company Hypercraft, comprising an 18.6-kWh battery pack and single electric motor. Starting, like Drake, from the bottom, there's the Echo, its Hypercraft R300Si e-motor turning the rear axle with 150 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque. This one rides on Fox 2.5 QS3 dampers providing 12 inches of travel to a set of steel wheels wrapped in knobby tires. Weighing 1,400 pounds, it reaches 60 miles per hour in a claimed 5.5 seconds, tops out at 80 miles per hour, and starts at $39,000.
Above that, the Echo R-Spec is described as a "race-spec rally/gymkhana inspired single-seater." The RS300 motor spins faster than the one in the base model, running output up to a peak of 280 hp and 350 lb-ft. It's got the same suspension and travel spec as the base, but the wheels are upgraded to aluminum and wrapped in 26-inch Yokohama Advan A305 Gravel Rally rubber. The beefier motor and extra kit help push the curb weight up to 1,500 pounds, but controlling the back end will be a little easier thanks to a Sadev differential and a quick-change gear for the transmission. The 60-mph sprint shrinks to 3.8 seconds, top speed climbs to "100+ mph." The R-Spec starts at $74,900.
