British built project electric Beetle drag car promises to become the world's fastest EV

How two British brothers built this 6500hp V8 killing EV Beetle drag car.

Owners, builders, drivers and brothers, Olly and Sam Young, have broken many world records in electric drag racing; but after a finish line 140mph crash in their classic 1965 Beetle, they decided it was time to build a newer, faster EV drag VW.

The Young brothers were instrumental in influencing and helping Jonny with his Flux Capacitor street legal EV drag car, so he was fortunate enough to get the exclusive on their new project car as it shook-down on track for the first time.

Thanks for stopping by The Late Brake Show.

This is Black Current 4, then. Formally a 2013 mk2 New Beetle and now a full carbonfibre bodied, tube chassis 800v electric monster. Power? 6500hp at the wheels @ 5,500 rpm. Torque = 8692 Nm at the wheels. This has the potential to become the world's fastest EV, and knowing the Young boys it will RIP.

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Jonny Smith
Creative content maker, car presenter & car pervert for hire since '98

CHAPTERS
0:00 V8s
0:45 Intro
1:21 Meet Black Current 4
2:20 20 years of EV Beetle racing
4:40 Fire up lane variety
5:15 First ever run nerves
7:57 FIRST EVER RUN
8:19 What's it like to drive?
9:45 FULL BUILD TOUR
10:42 POWER STATS
11:26 MOTOR STATS
12:50 BATTERY PACK
14:28 Street legal?
16:00 The BIG CRASH
17:32 Jonny's drag car
20:45 Outro

#fastestev #electricconvertedclassiccar #thelatebrakeshow #evdragracing

[ollyyoung]

Hi All, Thanks for your comments. There is a mistake in the video regarding the 6500HP. This number was created by incorrectly multiplying BHP by the rear gear ratio. Unfortunately I did not get a chance to correct the video before it was published. Apologies, was not intentional click bait.

[LotCARS]

The diversity of content on your channel is brilliant, one minute you’re digging a rusty XR4i out from a garage and the next an electric powered VW Beetle drag car.. Love it Jonny!

[charl_k]

On looks alone, this thing's a winner. Factor in the engineering and top notch workmanship, it's just impressive. Well done!👍

[JustWastedHoursHere]

The fact that BC3 crashed into the wall at 140mph and the battery didn't ignite is a testament to how well this is put together.

[jamesward]

Olly clearly has an incredible talent for engineering. The packaging is beautiful. All hail Brits doing great things in sheds.

[edkeech]

Absolutely outstanding from Sam and Olly as usual. Two of the nicest guys you’d ever meet too. Can’t wait to see how BC4 develops. Racing BC3 was one of the eeriest races I had. Can’t wait to line up with BC4 ❤

[_autoverse]

Love the engineering behind this. Especially as the original idea behind the Black Current and it’s subsequent generations was born from rummaging around a scrapyard.

[mwheatley]

I’m not into drag racing, beetles or electric vehicles (although can appreciate why people are) …but despite that, I found this absolutely fascinating! 👍

[TheSuperFinish]

The camerawork and direction coupled with the soundtrack where on point this episode! You continue to amaze me with the awesome content Johnny!

[MrOvershoot]

Olly does himself down when he says EV Parts have some really clever guys, he's a super clever guy himself. Love your doing some more Drag Car stuff 👍

[GasoliniASMR]

The ingenuity and creativity of all the garage builders on display here fills me with positivity. As do the wind turbines in the background. Another great video.

[scottcabot]

Their skill level astounds me, what dedication to the build this looks on camera like a quality build too and I’m sure it genuinely is, wow really impressive. So great to share this deep dive Jonny 👍

[matthewharrison]

I worked on the project constructing those 3 wind turbines. Always makes me smile seeing them in the background.

[tabasco_taz]

I saw black current run back in the day when my dad raced in vwdrc. I saw this car run on Saturday at Santa Pod, nice to see the guys still racing.

[-MacCat-]

I'm looking forward to seeing that gem chip away at setting records.

[ManxAndy]

Never actually heard of Sam and Olly before…….or their EV drag racing, , Olly is an actual god, what a guy, so unassuming, but so damn professional, just getting on with it, and he will get a 7 second run out of Blackcurrent 4……👍🇮🇲🔥💪

[rampanttwattery]

Incredibly talented engineers. Stunning. Further proof that men in sheds can build anything.

[AutomotiveAnatomy]

i am so glad the driver was okay from the original bug. Amazing work fellas.

[Dudleymiddleton]

Man, I wish I still had my first ever car - a '72 1300 beetle, with not quite the acceleration of this black beauty!

[laurean]

11:08 it draws 640KW of electricity to produce 5000KW of mechanical energy? Give those men a nobel prize, they just broke the first law of thermodynamics and solved the world energy crisis!