Tommykaira ZZ
The Tommykaira ZZ is a mid-engined sports car manufactured by tuning company Tommykaira (トミーカイラ) in Japan. The car started production in 1996 and ended in 2000, but it later restarted production fourteen years later in 2014.
| Tommykaira ZZ | |
|---|---|
 A first generation Tommykaira ZZ with the detachable roof removed. | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Tommykaira Green Lord Motors (2nd only) |
| Also called | Tommykaira ZZ1 Tommykaira ZZI Tommykaira ZZ-EV |
| Production | 1990-2000 2014-present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car (S) |
| Body style | 2-door targa - 1st Gen. 2-door roadster - 2nd Gen. |
| Layout | MR layout |
| Related | Leading Edge 190 RT Leading Edge 240 RT |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.0 L SR20DE I4 - 1st Gen. EV Motor - 2nd Gen. |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,375 mm (94 in) - 1st Gen. |
| Length | 3,630 mm (143 in) - 1st Gen. |
| Width | 1,740 mm (69 in) - 1st Gen. |
| Height | 1,110 mm (44 in) - 1st Gen. |
| Curb weight | 650 kg (1,433 lb) - 1st Gen. |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Tommykaira ZZII |
First Generation (1990-2000)
The first generation ZZ was all styled by Tommykaira, and did not borrow any designs from other cars. The roof of the car was detachable.[1] The ZZ sold a total of 200 units in its years of production. The same generation of ZZ was bought out by a company called Leading Edge, and was resold in the year 2002 in two models, the 190RT and 240RT. After Leading Edge's defunction, Breckland Technologies took over. They too, however, went into defunction, meaning the life of the first generation ZZ was over.
The ZZ was powered by a 2.0-liter SR20DE naturally-aspirated inline-four sourced from Nissan, and put out 190 hp (142 kW; 193 PS). Torque output is undisclosed. The performance figures of the car are 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in about 4.0 seconds and doing a top speed of 150 mph (241 km/h). The front and rear brake discs are both vented. The front and rear tire sizes are both 205/50ZR15.[1] The power is sent to the rear wheels by a 5-speed manual transmission.
ZZ-S (1995-2000)
The ZZ-S was intended to be a sportier version of the ZZ. Its power output slightly increased for a total of 197 hp (147 kW; 200 PS). No other changes were made.
Second Generation (2014-present)
Tommykaira returned with another variation of the ZZ, this time with the help of a company that originated from Kyoto University called Green Lord Motors. A few companies also gave funding for the second generation ZZ, some of these being Mitsubishi UFJ Capital and Globis Capital.[2] The total for funding was $14 million.[3] Funding started in 2010, with a total of $6.6 million at the end of 2012, and earned another $6 million for 2013–2015.
The ZZ became electric for the second generation. Because of this change, many critics started calling it the ZZ-EV. The design has received major changes as well, with a more aggressive look. The car now stays as a roadster for this generation.
The price of the vehicle is at $80,000.[2]
Green Lord Motors says the car's chassis is "adaptable", which means modifications can go over beyond limits of the car.[2] The power coming from the electric motor is 305 hp (227 kW; 309 PS), and has an electric range of 75 mi (121 km).[3] The ZZ runs 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in less than 4.0 seconds, faster than last generation.[3]
References
- "1995 Tommy Kaira ZZ | Review | SuperCars.net". Supercars.net. 2016-04-23. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
- King, Danny. "Tommykaira ZZ ready for a customizable EV closeup". Autoblog. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
- "Meet Japan's Tommykaira ZZ EV electric sports car". Motor Authority. Retrieved 2017-04-26.