Via Gizmag, the Immortus solar sports car is so light and aerodynamic, has such a light footprint on the road and so many built-in solar panels, that it is designed to drive for an unlimited range on a sunny day.

The car weighs only 550 kg and will accelerate 0-100 km/h in less than seven seconds, with a top speed of over 150 km/h. The car’s small 10 kWh battery pack should provide a range of just under 400 km even at night.

When the sun’s out and the road’s clear, that range goes up, effectively to infinity if you stay around 60 km/h (37 mph). Upping the pace to 85 km/h (53 mph) the range drops to about 550 km (342 mi).

It’s a two-seater with a modest luggage capacity for daily driving.

Melbourne-based EVX Ventures, creators of the Immortus, even list fun as a priority, saying it should handle like a well-balanced sports car.

The Immortus is based on solar race car technology with the project originally founded by Australia’s Aurora Solar Car Team, which has competed in a bunch of solar race events across the world. Hence the light weight and the shape of the Immortus, which combines maximal sun exposure with extreme aerodynamics, including covered wheels.

Where the Tesla Model S has a massive 85 kWh battery pack, the self-replenishing system on the Immortus uses only a 10 kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery. The car uses twin DC motors mounted on the uprights leading to each rear wheel hub, each with a peak output of 20 kW, for a total peak output of 40 kW (53.6 hp). While 40 kW doesn’t sound like much, the entire car has been designed to make the most of its power. A feather-light weight of around 550 kg (1,212 lb) gives the Immortus a power-to-weight ratio and acceleration time similar to a Mazda MX5 (aka Miata), and the weight distribution is designed to offer similarly sporty handling characteristics.

Cornering will not be as good as the Mazda, however, as it will use tires specifically designed for solar racers, very thin wheels with low-friction tires that prioritize low rolling resistance over grip.

EVX Ventures are not going to mass produce the car. Each one will be custom-made and will set you back around $500,000. No doubt the ideas and technology will in the course of time be incorporated in production cars.

Thanks to John D for the heads up.