The Westfield Hybrid developed at Warwick University in partnership with Potenza Technology and Westfield ran up the hill at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The vehicle utilises a prototype chassis with in-board suspension allowing drive to the front wheels. The drivetrain is conventional Sport Turbo, 200bhp to the rears, with 2, 100bhp motors directly driving the front wheels. The same motors are used on the iRACER to drive the rears so this vehicle is seriously quick.

The motors are brought into play by the driver pulling a pair of paddles behind the steering wheel. The torque is blended in according to the throttle position giving four wheel drive and the potential for 400bhp. Batteries are Lithium Iron Phosphate units brought in from the USA, and these along with the power electronics for the motors fill the passenger area. The car is currently in development, but early trials look promising. Whether it will make it to the market remains to be seem, currently the costs are prohibitive, but as the technology is picked up more and more, we hope to see costs reduce.

As a through the road hybrid, the addition of drive to the front wheels could be a potential future upgrade for all Westfield owners looking for some additional performance!

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