…this should have been posted back in mid-November when it actually happened, but who wants to sit at a computer when you could be playing with your new toy – before it gets cold out.
Almost exactly 18 months after it went up on jackstands, the electrified MR2 was run around the block and then some. It would have been nice if, in my haste, an improperly placed jack stand didn’t crack some of the plastic side skirting but at least it’s only visible from the underside.
At first it was a dog and I couldn’t figure out why until I flipped 
the low power switch off, then it scooted away nicely. I think it’s as quick as stock but it’s hard to tell as I haven’t timed it and accelerating feels different, more of a steady push in the back than quick rushes. It got to 45 in about a suburban block. It’s down while I attend to a few old car issues to make it inspection ready but I’ll have better numbers in a few weeks.
More technical information can be found on the EVAlbum here but a quick summary follows: It uses a Siemens 100kW AC motor and 264V of AGM batteries (that’s all I could fit within weight and packaging parameters) and transfers power through the stock transmission kept in 2nd gear. Ceramic heater and on-board Brusa charger. On paper it should have a 40 mile range but I need to spend a few weeks breaking in the batteries, tweaking the alignment, adding an undertray, adjusting driving style and regen, etc before I find out if that number’s realistic. The estimate is based on the high end of the 180-250 Wh/mi energy consumption number taken from others using a similar inverter/motor and vehicle size. Kokam LiPo battery donations kindly accepted!
I’m very happy that I can now cover reasonable distances without using oil. I ride my bike most places but now I can run longer distance errands while passing by the gas stations.
More pictures, movies and driving impressions to follow.
Your car sounds great, I’ve been pining for an electric MR2 for some time now. I’m glad to see that yours looks to has turned out well.