Building upon the groundwork it laid at last year's Geneva Motor Show, Liechtenstein's Nanoflowcell used this year's show to highlight two very different ways that its flow battery technology can be put to use. The Quant F is a full-blown hypercar, using its fluidic battery to send more than 1,000 horses marching out onto the track. The Quantino, meanwhile, uses Nanoflowcell technology for more humble purposes: up to 620 miles (1,000 km) of zero emissions commuting.
Nanoflowcell detailed both the Quantino hatchback and Quant F sports car several weeks before last week's Geneva Motor Show press conference. But the press conference marked the first time that we got to see the brand-new concept cars outside of company renderings. As we've said in the past, Nanoflowcell's technology may never amount to anything, but the outfit's concept cars will certainly be remembered, as will chief Nunzio La Vecchia's perfect hair and three-piece suits â€" this year, he dropped the understated black in favor of Joker-style purple. Quite a look.
"The performance figures and ranges that we are currently attaining without any harmful emissions with our Nanoflowcell technology in all-electric mode in test drives on the race track and on public roads provide us with a highly positive outlook," La Vecchia says. "Nanoflowcell AG is on the right track. In future, any professional examination of the available alternatives for electric mobility will have to include flow cell technology. Performance, range, zero harmful emissions and a simple refueling process for the ionic liquid without any time-consuming charging â€" the Nanoflowcell offers a host of advantages as a new drive technology."
Given that it detailed the Quant F and Quantino last month, we really didn't learn anything new about the cars in Geneva. To recap, the Quant F is a more powerful, performance-packed evolution of last year's Quant E, Nanoflowcell's debut concept car. With four motors powered by a flow battery with 500 liters (132 US gal) of ionic fluids sloshing around, the car has a peak output of 1,075 hp (802 kW), a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) acceleration as low as 2.8 seconds, a top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h), and a range up to 500 miles (800 km) â€" on paper, at least.
The Quant F gets some modest mechanical and styling revision when compared to the Quant E, which is also on display at Nanoflowcell's Geneva booth. Most interestingly, it features a disengage-able front axle, allowing for both 4WD and RWD driving. It also features a new set of Q-shaped headlamps, an active rear spoiler and a new wheel design. The interior appears largely untouched, save for some new colors.
The Quantino is Nanoflowcell's first foray into what would seem like its true destiny: a clean, efficient commuter car built for the masses (or perhaps a wealthy subset of the masses). It uses a smaller, low-voltage version of Nanoflowcell's flow power system, providing up to 136 hp (101 kW) and a seemingly too-good-to-be-true range of 620 miles (1,000 km).
Nanoflowcell has also started talking more about other applications and future plans, saying that it's currently working on potential partnerships and considering an initial public offering (IPO).
"We have extended our research and development activities into other fields and industry sectors," says La Vecchia. "The flow cell technology is also of interest for sectors like aerospace, railways and shipping, road haulage, and housing construction and building services. Initial talks exploring opportunities for cooperative ventures with leading international companies in these sectors are already under way."
You can find out the full scoop on the Quant F and Quantino in our original coverage linked above and see the cars for yourself in our full Geneva gallery.
Source: Nanoflowcell
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