In 2010, electric power promises to herald a new era in mobility. To live up to this promise without upsetting the expectations of millions of drivers, the electric car must now show its mettle. Engineers have been carrying out extensive research in laboratories, but competition remains the unavoidable stage in testing new products. There is no cheating in racing, it never lies.

Very few manufacturers have any experience in competitive racing with electric sports cars. But one company stands out from the crowd: Exagon Engineering. Under the leadership of Luc Marchetti, Exagon Engineering has built up unparalleled expertise in designing and developing electric sports cars. For several years its electric cars have been facing each other in stiff competition with renowned drivers at the wheel. Its teams have relentlessly striven to achieve the optimum balance between performance, reliability and autonomy. Year after year, Exagon Engineering has been making headway and improving the performance and reliability of this new technology.

Now, on the back of this unrivalled experience, Luc Marchetti and his teams have decided to go one step further, creating a top-of-the-range electric GT car.

Picture yourself an electric GT car which makes for a thrilling and unparalleled driving experience; an electric GT car which does not sacrifice performance to eco-friendliness; an electric GT car which can cover Paris-Nice comfortably but also burn rubber on the race track; an electric GT car which brings the “French flair” back into prestige automobiles; an electric GT car which is as modern as it is timeless, as rare as it is desirable.

This brand new type of electric GT car exists. Its name is Furtive-eGT. It is a unique new product created by Exagon Motors TM .

Born of the demands of electric competition

Luc Marchetti and his teams are neither idealists nor dreamers. They have created the Furtive-eGT and are unveiling it at the Paris Motor Show on the back of their cutting-edge expertise and technology, which puts them streets ahead of the competition in the growing market of electric sports cars.

• Born of the demands of racing
Luc Marchetti’s teams built up their experience in electric propulsion by competing under Exagon Engineering for the Andros Electric Trophy. Exagon Engineering is a company specialised in manufacturing and operating high-performance cars, and over the past 6 years it has been winning trophies in various automotive competitions. In 2008, the organisers of the Andros Trophy launched the first ever electric competition and commissioned Exagon Engineering to produce 8 electric sports cars.

• Experience in electric competition
Although he was sceptical at first, Luc Marchetti decided to take up this challenge. The aim was to design a race car that ran on electric power alone while providing the same level of performance as a combustion-engine car. To power this new kind of racing car, Exagon Engineering worked in close cooperation with Siemens Corporate Technology, who provided the engines, and Saft, the worldwide leader in high-performance batteries. The result was remarkable. The concept won over the most demanding of drivers: Olivier Panis, Alain and Nicolas Prost and Franck Lagorce all had words of praise for the technological achievement and competitive performance of the Andros Electric cars.

• Several years ahead of competition
The pressure of racing against the clock, the gruelling conditions of the Andros Electric Trophy, abrupt variations in temperature, extreme cold, intensive use under high levels of humidity, constant changes of pace, collisions; all of these challenges enabled Exagon Engineering to unlock the secret to electric performance, reliability and safety. With the help of its partners, Exagon Engineering has developed a command of technology which puts it several years ahead of competition.

• A unique partnership
Exagon Engineering paired up with the biggest names in the field of electric power: Siemens Corporate Technology for the engines, Siemens NX for the design, simulation and calculation software and Saft for the high-performance batteries. Through regular contact with those partners, Luc Marchetti understood that their combined expertise could break down the last barriers to high-performance electric propulsion.

• The turning point
In the autumn of 2009, a conversation proved to be a turning point. A sports car enthusiast told Luc Marchetti he did not believe there was a future in electric GT cars, mainly due to their limited autonomy and poor performance on the road. The head of Exagon Engineering knew this was the time to prove him wrong – he had the solution to those problems thanks to Saft and Siemens Corporate Technology, who were granting him full licence to use their latest technology. This was a rare and exclusive partnership, built on trust acquired in the delicate process of developing the first high-performance race car series fully powered by electricity. With the backing of French industrialists in the private sector, Luc Marchetti founded Exagon MotorsTM, which was soon to give birth to the first ever French electric GT car, the Furtive-eGT.

A new experience for the senses on the road

The Furtive-eGT is no run-of-the-mill GT car. It represents a new approach to grand touring, a new experience on the road, a new sports car driving concept with added comfort.

Electric propulsion offers entirely new sensations, in part thanks to immediate torque availability. With a constant torque of 480 Nm from 0 to 5,000 rpm, the Furtive-eGT has a phenomenal capacity for acceleration – 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 s – and can hit 287 km/h on the race track (maximum speed is otherwise limited electronically to 250 km/h). Such high performance is achieved in near-silence, with only the air flow to be heard, heightening the sensations experienced while driving. This is more than just impressive figures, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

• French body, French spirit
Designed by Exagon MotorsTM, the Furtive-eGT proudly displays its classical and timeless beauty. It is a modern prestige automobile with a distinctly French touch, free from passing trends. Measuring 4.50 m in length, with extremely short front and rear overhangs, the design is both sleek and dynamic, with aerodynamic efficiency a clear priority. The smooth, no-frills design combined with distinct features such as the double-bubble roof, the front headlight signature and the aerated rear posts, ensure the Furtive-eGT stands out from the crowd.

• A sporty and versatile GT car
The Furtive-eGT may have fully embraced the digital age of the automobile, but it has not lost touch with its roots in the distinguished history of top-of-the-range GT cars. It is a long-distance traveller, a genuine 2+2 which can easily fit 4 passengers and their luggage in its leather interior. The Furtive-eGT has been designed with versatility in mind; it combines the behaviour and performance of a leading sports car with the comfort of an executive car.

• A chassis designed for electric propulsion
Unlike its competitors, the Furtive-eGT was designed from the outset to accommodate an electric power train. The chassis was developed with a view to achieving optimum mass distribution depending on the size and weight of the batteries, which themselves make up the entire car floor, ensuring sound and well-balanced driveability.

• Two of the most compact electric engines available on the market, courtesy of Siemens Corporate Technology
The Furtive-eGT is powered by two latest-generation engines created by Siemens Corporate Technology, each providing an output of 125 kW, i.e. total power equivalent to 340 hp at 5,000 to 10,000 rpm. These are currently the lightest and most compact engines available on the market. They have a liquid cooling system and their efficiency is outstanding.

• Latest-generation lithium-ion batteries by Saft + an optional range extender
The lithium-ion batteries manufactured by worldwide specialist Saft are the beating heart of the Furtive-eGT. These state-of-theart VL 4 batteries provide 150 kWh (50,000 watt-hours). They have a life cycle of approximately ten years, can undergo 3,000 charging cycles and are recyclable. Their autonomy is astounding: 197 to 406 km in electric-only mode, depending on usage conditions. An optional range extender brings the autonomy up to 807 km.

• A revolutionary sound system
The Furtive-eGT will be the first ever electric car equipped with a revolutionary sound system, the “Hopman Sound TransferTM”. The system transforms various materials in the car into loudspeakers. It transmits the vibratory energy to the materials which in turn transmit the acoustic energy.

The “Hopman Sound TransferTM” patented technology provides a well-balanced sound quality without requiring bulky conventional speakers. The ideal listening point is expanded to the entire volume. The «Hopman Sound TransferTM» can be considered a speaker and functions in the same way. It can be plugged into the loudspeaker sockets of any amplifier and can transmit all known acoustic sources. No structural changes are required. It can be assembled within 2 minutes.

Performance reconciled with autonomy

It is a secret to no one that the main challenge facing electric propulsion is battery autonomy. Considering batteries in terms of autonomy alone is simplistic, as capacity is greatly influenced by conditions of use. Speed, acceleration and energy consumption by on-board equipment (air-conditioning, radio, etc.) are all factors which affect the available energy, i.e. the available autonomy. One should therefore speak in terms of “autonomies”, taking into account the chosen driving mode.

Thanks to Saft’s batteries, the Furtive-eGT is without doubt one of the most autonomous electric cars in all-electric mode.

• Paris-Nice in the Furtive-eGT. It can be done
100% electric, the Furtive-eGT can cover Paris-Nice thanks to its optional range extender.

• LA strong command of autonomy in all-electric mode
The Furtive-eGT is the first ever electric GT to guarantee several average autonomies in all-electric mode, calculated according to European standards and energy use cycles.

• Energy use
Urban cycle (ECE15 standard) : 161 watts/hour/km
Motorway cycle (EUDC standard) : 186 watts/hour/km
Mixed cycle : 173 watts/hour/km

• Autonomy in 100 % electric mode (without the range extender)
Autonomy at 50 km/h: 402 km
Autonomy at 90 km/h: 288 km
Autonomy at 110 km/h: 241 km
Autonomy at 130 km/h: 197 km

• Autonomy of 807 km with the range extender (option)
The Furtive-eGT can be fitted with a range extender: a small petrol engine with a low cylinder capacity which charges the batteries when they have reached the limit of their autonomy. This engine has no effect on the wheels; it simply acts as a generator. It therefore has very low fuel consumption and it functions at a constant rate, ensuring optimum fuel consumption. The range extender brings the Furtive-eGT’s total autonomy to 807 km with 25 l of fuel under the ECE15 standard cycle, or 734 km with 25 l of fuel under the standard mixed cycle.

• New-found freedom
Thanks to the optional range extender, Furtive-eGT drivers no longer have to worry about finding the next charging station. They can enjoy complete freedom of movement, which is what truly defines automobiles: the freedom to come and go as you please.

French sensuality at the France Pavilion in Shanghai

The France Pavilion, the country’s showcase at the Shanghai World Expo, exclusively hosted the Furtive-eGT to shoot the corporate film for the brand.

The initiative was met with enthusiasm on the part of José Fr•ches, President of COFRES (the French company managing the France Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo), who stated that the Exagon MotorsTM Furtive-eGT was a great example of France’s dynamic, innovative and cutting-edge mobility industry : « I am delighted and extremely proud to host the Furtive-eGT at the France Pavilion in Shanghai, the showcase of what France does best. »

• A French sensuality
Under to the main theme of the World Expo, “Better city, better life”, every country was to choose a specific theme relating to its culture, ideas and vision of the future. France went for the Sensual City. It lays particular emphasis on man, perceptions of the city, and the overall objective of using technology to serve humanity.

Jacques Ferrier and Paul Marchetti, the architects of the France Pavillon in Shanghai, reported discovering the Furtive-EGT :

“It is a dream brought to life. The electric car will soon become part of the urban landscape. In our project for a sensual city, movement is no longer merely infrastructure with a function; it is a sixth sense, part and parcel of living the city life. Getting about town loses its rigidity; freedom, discretion and curiosity are the watchwords. Transport modes complement each other and blend into the city; technology improves to the point of passing unnoticed.”

An exceptional showcase for luxury ŕ la française, the France Pavilion had already received more than 8 million visitors.

The next stages

After its unveiling at the Paris Motor Show, the Furtive-eGT will go through a final validation procedure before entering the market by late 2012.

Exagon MotorsTM aims to produce the Furtive-eGT in a small series, with an annual output of around a hundred cars. For the two upcoming years, Exagon MotorsTM will keep the press and media up-to-date on progress made in the Furtive-eGT’s entry into production.

The first test runs for the press are due to start in June 2011.

Technical features

• CHASSIS DIMENSIONS :
• Carbon/aluminium/steel honeycomb chassis
• Wheelbase: 2,780 mm
• Front gauge: 1,635 mm with 235/35/20 tyres
(tyres for the Motor Show)
• Rear gauge: 1,635 mm with 275/35/20 tyres
(tyres for the Motor Show)
• Width: 1,910 mm
• Height: 1,330 mm
• Length: 4,465 mm
• Weight: 1,600kg (when empty)
• Number of places: 4

• BRAKING :
• 4 disc brakes + regenerative braking on the rear wheels
• Dimensions:
- FRONT: 398 mm
- REAR: 360 mm

• ENGINE :
• Siemens
• Power: 2 X 125 kW, i.e. 340 hp at 5,000 to 10,000 rpm
• Torque: 480 Nm at 0 to 5,000 rpm
• Weight/power ratio: 5.3 kg/hp

• BATTERY :
• SAFT lithium-ion
• Capacity: 50 kWh
• Voltage: 700 volts
• Minimum life cycle: 3,000 charging cycles
• Charging time: 3h30* from 20% to 80% of the battery

• TRANSMISSION :
Propulsion with a mechanical automatic locking differential

• GEARBOX :
• 3 gears* with paddle shifters behind the steering wheel
(*due to the wide operating range of electric engines)
• No clutch
• Reverse gear through inversion of the engine’s direction
of rotation (speed limited electronically)

• STEERING :
Turning cycle : 11.50 m

• Standard EQUIPMENT:
• Air conditioning
• Bi-Xenon headlights
• Speed control
• ABS/ESP/anti-skid device
• GPS

• CHARGER :
Charger fitted into the car*
(*internal to the SIEMENS Inverters)

• PERFORMANCES :
• 0-100 km/h : 3.5 sec
• 0-160 km/h : 8.8 sec
• 0-200 km/h : 14.6 sec
• 400 m stopping distance 11.9 sec
• 1,000 m stopping distance 21.9 sec
• Vmax 287 km/h limited electronically to 250km/h

• AUTONOMY :
• 307 km in all-electric mode, extendable to 807 km with 25 l of petrol under the ECE15 standard cycle
• 280 km in all-electric mode, extendable to 734 km with 25 l of petrol under the standard mixed cycle
At stabilised speed in all-electric mode
• At 50km/h : 402km
• At 90km/h : 288km
• At 130km/h : 197km

Range extender (option):
• It is a combustion engine serving as an autonomy extender which recharges the batteries.
• Runs at a constant rate (optimising fuel use and minimising pollutant emissions)

The figures indicated are for information purposes only. They have no contractual value.

With its electric drivetrain and innovative solutions, the Furtive-eGT rewrites the ground rules for contemporary GT sports cars. Not in terms of performance alone, but in terms of the new driving sensations delivered by a grand tourer designed as an electric vehicle from A to Z.

An exceptional electric GT sports car

Exagon Motors set out to develop an exceptional electric sports car that would combine the best of their experience in electric motorsports (Electric Andros Trophy) with today’s cutting-edge technologies. The specifications drafted by Luc Marchetti, CEO of Exagon Motors, established clear objectives: the Furtive-eGT had to combine exceptional performance with real day-to-day driveability. To achieve this versatility, Exagon worked with a number of leading European partners who brought their expertise to the project from the outset: Siemens, Saft, Michelin and Nokia. The result: the most exciting GT sports car around.

Original technologies and leading partners

The Furtive-eGT combines an impressive sum of human expertise with technologies never before seen in cars. It is an innovator in all areas, from its latest-generation Siemens motors and Saft batteries to its carbon body, running gear developed with Michelin, three-speed gearbox with seamless torque delivery, acoustics by Focal and man/machine multimedia interface. The Furtive-eGT embodies a unique blend of expertise. No comparisons can be made with the existing market offering.

A GT made for the era of sustainable development

The Furtive-eGT is very much a car of its times, the era of digital cars and sustainable development, but it also reflects a long tradition in exceptional GTs. This long-haul traveller is a true 2+2, designed to comfortably seat four passengers with their luggage. The Furtive-eGT is designed as a versatile car, combining the ride and performance of a quality sports model with the comfort of a grand tourer.

A new sensory experience

The electric drivetrain delivers original driving sensations with the torque coming in immediately. With constant torque of 516 N.m between 0 and 5,000 rpm, the Furtive-eGT is capable of phenomenal acceleration, sprinting from 0 to 100 km in just 3.5 s, with a top speed limited to 250 kph. As well as savouring the silence of this impressive performance, owners can take pleasure in owning a car with zero carbon emissions. Looking beyond figures, this is an experience that everybody should enjoy at least once in their lives.

French spirit and style

Designed by Exagon MotorsTM, the Furtive-eGT is a car of classic, timeless beauty. It embodies a truly French approach to modern, prestige vehicles, far removed from passing trends and fashions. The Furtive-eGT is 4.46 m long with very short front and rear overhangs. The design is elegant and dynamic, while placing the emphasis squarely on aerodynamics. A car of pure, clean lines, the Furtive-eGT stands out from the crowd with distinctive features, such as the double-bubble roof, headlight signature and rear wings to optimise downforce.

2. Siemens electric motors

The Furtive-eGT is driven by two latest-generation electric motors from Siemens Inside e-Car. Installed centrally on an aluminium cradle at the rear, and linked by the three-speed gearbox with seamless torque delivery, they drive the rear wheels of the Furtive-eGT (rear-wheel drive). From the driver’s standpoint, the two motors act as one even though the electronic controls allow them to operate separately. The two motors are liquid-cooled to maintain performance levels in all conditions of use.
These electric motors are among the most compact on the market. They each develop 148 kW – or 296 kW overall – a level of power equivalent to 402 bhp, for an outstanding level of efficiency. Maximum power of between 5,000 and 10,000 rpm is available in one-tenth of a second, with constant torque of 516 N.m (258 N.m x 2) between 0 and 5,000 rpm.

These motors, developed specially by Siemens for the needs of the Furtive-eGT, each weigh 51 kg. Viewed against their individual rated power of 148 kW, this gives them energy density of 2.901 kW/kg, an excellent figure, with efficiency close to 98%. Two inverters, also developed specially for the Furtive-eGT, distribute electric power by converting the direct current from the Saft battery into alternating current. The inverters drive the motors in two modes, based on torque or engine speed, modifying amplitude and frequency as necessary. The “supervisor” control electronics were developed internally by Exagon.

Supercar performance

Accelerating from 0 to 100 kph in just 3.5 seconds, the Furtive-eGT ranks among the best supercars on the market. The response time between pedal depression and the delivery of power is just one-tenth of a second. The Siemens motors use this power for a level of acceleration never before enjoyed by drivers. The top speed is limited electronically to 250 kph.

On deceleration, the magnetic field of the electric motors contributes to the car’s exceptional braking properties, with each motor acting as a generator to recharge the batteries and thus increase vehicle range. Together, the motor brakes and callipers developed for the Furtive-eGT by BERINGER develop up to 1.2 G during the braking phase, slashing stopping distances and making this one of the world’s best braking systems.

Maintenance and environmental protection

The Siemens Inside e-Car electric motors have few moving parts and deliver a level of reliability far beyond that of combustion engines. No upkeep is required before 150,000 kilometres, which makes them virtually maintenance free. They are silent by definition, emitting no carbon or NOx.

3. Saft batteries

The Furtive-eGT is equipped with batteries made by Saft, world leader in lithium-ion batteries. The company holds market share of 80% in the aerospace industry as well as in the defence industry and in Formula 1, reflecting the quality and advanced technology of the components used, and the high safety standards in all circumstances. These latest-generation batteries have a capacity of 53 kWh and a rated voltage of 360 V. They weigh 480 kg overall.

Exagon Motors turned the constraint of battery weight into an advantage. The architecture of the carbon body made it possible to install the batteries in the floor of the Furtive-eGT. This lowers the centre of gravity (110 mm lower than on a conventional GT) to virtually eliminate roll on cornering, for exceptional ride and handling. This feature makes a key contribution to roadholding and thus to the driving sensations delivered by the Furtive-eGT.

With its Saft batteries, the Furtive-eGT no doubt has a greater range in all-electric mode than any other high-performance electric vehicle:

• 360 km over an urban cycle (ECE15 standard).
• 310 km over a combined cycle (NEDC standard).
• 287 km over a motorway cycle (EUDC standard).

Service life and recyclability

Saft batteries are highly recyclable. After 3,000 cycles, being used virtually every day over a period of ten years, they still have at least 80% of their energy capacity. Moreover, they have no memory effect.
Optional range extender

The Furtive-eGT ships with an optional range extender. This takes the form of a small combustion engine of low cubic capacity that recharges the batteries when they reach their range limits. It does not drive the wheels, it acts solely as a generator. Pollutant emissions are therefore very low, since it is optimised to run at constant speed. The range extender increases the overall range of the Furtive-eGT to 807 km with 25 l of fuel over a standard ECE15 cycle, or 734 km with 25l of fuel over a standard combined cycle.

4. Transmission system and gearbox

The Furtive-eGT features an exclusive three-speed gearbox with seamless torque delivery. Gear changing is smooth and immediate, with no loss of power.

On each gear change, one of the two motors continues to transmit power to the wheels. This process avoids any break in torque to maintain power in all circumstances. Furthermore, the motors function continuously within their optimum range of power and efficiency, enabling the vehicle to take full advantage of their power and to increase energy efficiency.

Technology developed by Exagon Motors

The engineers of Exagon Motors developed this gearbox specially for an electric motor. It is therefore able to accommodate the instant torque delivery. Unlike other supercars, fitted with sequential gearboxes, the Furtive-eGT runs no risk of the clutch breaking in the event of violent acceleration. It is designed for use without a clutch, either in manual mode with the steering-wheel mounted paddles or in automatic mode. For reverse gear, the rotational direction of the motors is inverted.

5. Carbon chassis/body

The monocoque body of the Furtive-eGT is made entirely of a carbon fibre/honeycomb structure based on Formula 1 technology. This exclusive feature is shared by very few of the world’s supercars, since only seven other exceptional sports vehicles feature the same level of technical sophistication, and all are driven by combustion engines. The carbon body of the Furtive-eGT weighs just 124 kg overall. Torsional stiffness is exceptional, contributing to the lateral grip and neutral behaviour of the Furtive-eGT.

The body directly supports the front half-axles, optimising both weight and overall stiffness. At the rear, a cast aluminium structure carries the powertrain and rear half-axles. A low centre of gravity for an exemplary ride

The carbon body was designed to house the batteries in its structural floor. The battery position gives the car a low centre of gravity, around 110 mm lower than on a conventional supercar, positioned centrally with respect to the wheels. This strategic battery layout ensures stable ride and handling.
It also optimises comfort, significantly reducing roll on cornering, and limiting weight transfer – and thus pitch – on braking.

6. Running gear

The running gear of the Furtive-eGT was developed in partnership with Michelin, a group with globally recognised expertise. Over the past two years, engineers from Exagon Motors and Michelin have worked in close cooperation, carrying out extensive tests on the Michelin tracks in Ladoux, near Clermont-Ferrand. The result strikes the ideal balance between roadholding and comfort, reflecting the advanced performance of the Furtive-eGT and the specific constraints of electric drivetrains. Michelin’s expertise was combined with that of Exagon in developing running gear and designing motorsports vehicles.

Double wishbone suspension

The Furtive-eGT features double wishbone suspension at both front and rear. This is currently the best solution for optimising tyre operation and maintaining an ideal position on the road in all circumstances. The half-axles, made using the Cobapress process, are mounted directly on the carbon body at the front and on an aluminium cradle at the rear. Given the immediate availability of electric power (and torque from 0 to 5,000 rpm), the suspension and tyres had to be specially designed to accommodate this level of torque with running gear that would be ideal in all circumstances. The suspension layout and damping control optimise vehicle behaviour without any sort of management system. Special emphasis was placed on making the suspension comfortable, particularly on bumpy roads, a feature that is not generally the case on cars delivering this level of performance.

Exclusive tyres and specially designed brakes

The Furtive-eGT is equipped with Michelin Super Sport, 245/35 ZR 20 tyres at the front and 305/30 ZR 20 at the rear. They were specially developed to accommodate the acceleration of electric motors. Rolling resistance was decreased and grip improved for even higher standards of energy efficiency. The brake callipers, which have six pistons at the front and four at the rear, were developed for the Furtive-eGT by Beringer, a French company with renowned expertise in the aerospace industry. The vented discs – 380 mm at the front and 360 mm at the rear – are made of steel and designed to optimise braking in all circumstances, with deceleration of 1.2 G.

7. A personalised driving experience

The Furtive-eGT is equally at ease in both day-to-day and sport driving. To meet a full range of driver requirements, depending on vehicle use, the engineers at Exagon Motors developed four operating modes for a personalised driving experience: Standard, Eco, City and Sport.

In Sport mode, the emphasis is squarely on performance and sport driving, with specific accelerator response, acceleration control and motor speed for gear changing.

In Standard mode the motors function normally, delivering full power and optimising motor speed for gear changing, to improve efficiency and focus on driveability.

In Eco mode, the power of the motors and peripheral electricity-consuming functions are limited in order to place greater emphasis on range and to make the Furtive-eGT easier to handle by an uninitiated driver.

In City mode, vehicle operation is optimised for low speeds, with the emphasis on smooth driving. The air in the cabin is recycled automatically to reduce the nuisance caused by exhaust gases from other vehicles.

An adaptive digital dashboard

Depending on the mode selected, the 12-inch digital display on the dashboard behind the steering wheel changes configuration to show pertinent information to the driver:

• Standard mode: vehicle speed is shown on the large central dial, with the rpm of the two motors on the left and the kW transmitted by these motors on the right. GPS navigation data can be displayed on the right-hand dial, superimposed on kW data. Both are legible.
• Eco and City mode: the kW used are shown in the large central dial for eco-driving (force required), the speed is displayed on the right and the rpm of both motors on the left.
• Sport mode: rpm are displayed on the central dial with a digital speed display, G force measured on the left and kW used on the right.

8. Design and aerodynamics

Although the Furtive-eGT is a sports car with an electric drivetrain, it is first and foremost a grand tourer. A fact that is clearly visible in its taut, elegant design lines.
At the front end, the headlights of the Furtive-eGT use full-LED technology for all lighting and signalling functions. This makes for comfortable night driving as well as saving energy. At the same time, the miniature LEDs enabled designers at Exagon Motors to give the Furtive-eGT its piercing gaze.
At the rear, the boot line rises up from the wings to meet the double bubble and side wings. While the extractor is the visible part of the aerodynamic flat bottom design of the Furtive-eGT.

9. Infotainment & multimedia

The Furtive-eGT is equipped with a multimedia infotainment system developed in partnership with Nokia. It includes a 9-inch central capacitive touch screen with swipe and zoom functions. The system comes with a SIM card enabling a continuous dialogue with the manufacturer, particularly for technical self-diagnosis data, emergency calls or weather bulletins. It is also equipped with a USB connection, an auxiliary socket and the Bluetooth streaming function.

Made-to-measure applications on request

Using the OS and multimedia interface of the Furtive-eGT, Exagon Motors is able to develop special applications to be downloaded directly to the car, a first in the automotive world. For example, if the owner of a Furtive-eGT is interested in modern art museums, he or she can request an application grouping all relevant information (contact details, opening hours, current exhibitions, navigation, etc.), which will be specially developed and sent directly to the car’s infotainment system. These personalised applications can be developed when the order is placed or installed throughout the vehicle’s service life. This is an open-ended system able to receive the latest technological innovations in real time.

An exclusive partnership with Focal

For the acoustics of the Furtive-eGT, Exagon Motors opted for excellence by teaming up with Focal, France’s leading acoustic designer and manufacturer. Over more than 30 years, Focal has developed globally recognised expertise in the high-tech field of transducers. By working with the manufacturer of the world’s best audio loudspeakers, Exagon Motors is out to give Furtive-eGT drivers access to the superlative Focal sound that is so appreciated by music-lovers.

Exclusive e-Motion Sound Concept

For the Furtive-eGT, Focal developed a system called eMSC or Exclusive e-Motion Sound Concept. This system uses exclusive technologies and rare materials, carefully crafted in the French workshops of Focal, for enhanced listening pleasure. But the science of onboard acoustics does not stop there. Layout and volumes have also been optimised. Nothing has been left to chance: positioning, vibration behaviour and volumes were carefully calculated to get the best out of the cabin of the Furtive-eGT.

Two acoustic options are available for the Furtive-eGT, based on the best technology used by Focal for its flagship products.

• “Harmony”, the first level, features ten-channel acoustic architecture based on Kevlar membrane technology. With this option, Focal has developed a dynamic, steady, comfortable system that accompanies listeners whenever they want to step up the pace.
• “Quintessence”, the second level, will delight music-lovers. It uses exclusive technologies from the Utopia range to further optimise every aspect of the listening experience. The W membrane (glass/glass) restores the full impact and velocity of bass tones, while the famous tweeter made of Beryllium, a precious material perfectly suited to the needs of acousticians, achieves a high-precision treble for a result that will delight music lovers.

10. Customisation programme

The quest for technological excellence is associated with the idea of made-to-measure design that was widespread in the automotive industry of the 1930s. Luc Marchetti wanted to recreate this mindset, based on an approach that gave pre-war French vehicle manufacturers international renown. At the time, in the prestige vehicle industry, it was common for customers to order a chassis and engine from a leading manufacturer and then to have the bodywork and interior designed to measure by a renowned coachmaker. This approach led to the creation of real automotive treasures, unique vehicles that have since gained the status of works of art.

The ambition of the Furtive-eGT is to bring customers a degree of customisation rarely achieved to date. This is where the idea of automotive craftsmanship or jewel-making comes in. Luc Marchetti explains:

“France is recognised the world over for its virtuosity in high-end manufacturing. We have a unique age-old expertise, with both suppliers and craftsmen. Strangely, this inexhaustible pool of talent has never, or rarely, been tapped by the automotive industry. A fact that is no doubt linked to the specifics of volume production. The Furtive does away with these constraints, since our production is exclusive (planned at around one hundred vehicles per year) and each model will be assembled by hand. This means that for the first time, we can deliver truly exceptional made-to-measure design. Each customer can be sure of owning not just a unique vehicle but a real work of art created specially for him or her. Like an interior decorator who seeks to understand exactly what you want before bringing in the best craftsmen to decorate your home, Exagon Motors will study each customer’s requirements individually and submit new ideas, some of which may be penned by leading designers. The most important aspect is to create a long-term relationship of trust. The time devoted by the customer to the design of his or her Furtive-eGT should be an enjoyable, even magical, experience.”

11. Distribution, service, maintenance and warranty

Regional ambassadors will manage distribution of the Furtive-eGT and represent the Exagon brand.
The Furtive-eGT ships with a two-year warranty. This warranty may be extended to five years if all maintenance, top-ups and servicing are carried out exclusively by Exagon Motors. To this end, the brand is putting in place an exclusive automotive concierge service. This service will function on a 24/7 basis to satisfy the needs and requirements expressed.

Maintenance operations and upgrades (IT set-up, upgrades, braking, routine servicing) may be carried out directly at the customer’s home.

Cutting-edge technology and French haute couture combine with ease at Salute to Style, which welcomes French manufacturer Exagon Motors’ powerful electric sportscar Furtive-eGT on The Hurlingham Club’s famous lawns on 16-19 July.

The Furtive-eGT’s bespoke running gear, developed by Exagon in cooperation with SAFT (who provides the latest generation Li-ion batteries) and Michelin (axles and tyres), is married to two purpose-built Siemens electric motors powering the first monocoque light carbon four-seat body in the world.

In line with the spirit of Salute to Style, this Grand Tourer represents the most advanced stage in the evolution of super sportscars with its revolutionary electric drivetrain, yet encapsulates the finest classic lines in automotive design and history.

Premium, advanced materials based on Formula One technology have been used to develop a sportscar with a main carbon-fibre/honeycomb tub and a cast aluminum rear structure; the entire body only weighs 124 kg, giving, as a result, an exceptional weight/stiffness ratio.

Power comes from two Siemens-sourced, bespoke electric motors, each giving out over 400 bhp. The Furtive-eGT’s accelerator pedal response time is one-tenth of a second, and the car hits 62mph in just 3.5 seconds.

Harking back to a practice popular in pre-war car manufacturing, and as it is expected from a made-to-order supercar already unusual in its power delivery and performance, the Furtive-eGT is the object of a fine-tuned customisation programme: “We have the same approach as jewel-makers to high-end manufacturing and bespoke craftsmanship,” explains Luc Marchetti, founder of Exagon Motors. “France has a unique focus on virtuosity and creativity when producing works of art. Every Furtive-eGT made so far has been created specially for its owner, and leading designers have penned each one according to the individual’s interpretation.”

Michael Scott, who, in partnership with The Hurlingham Club, is Salute to Style’s organiser, adds: “It is the perfect car to showcase at Salute to Style, an event organised for the sole purpose of celebrating elegance and human endeavour through the decades. Here is a car which does not need to shout in order to be heard.”

There has been an international waiting list for the Furtive-eGT since orders were open at its launch in Paris.

Heralded by a 1960s-themed Bastille Day Ball on Wednesday 16 July, Salute to Style takes place over three days (17-19 July), offering visitors a display of private collections, art and luxury goods galleries, and a French Market with food, drinks and fashionable pastimes.