On the strength of an electric motor and regular lead batteries, White Zombie – a converted 1972 Datsun 1200 – has had its power boosted from a forgettable 51kW to a phenomenal 223kW.

While that’s a power figure that any ‘everyday’ sports car would be proud of, it becomes even more amazing when you learn that this car weighs only 1200kg (ironic, that) – with a six-point roll bar.  All of this combined to push the little Datsun to a record 11.96-second quarter mile at 177km/h.

Not long after that record run, White Zombie’s owner John Wayland arranged to borrow a set of more powerful Lithium-Ion batteries.  Installing this ‘electric drill on steroids’ battery pack dropped the car’s weight to an astonishing 842kg, and increased its power to nearly 300kW.  When again Wayland visited the drag strip, the car pulled out an 11.46 quarter at 183km/h.

The car’s main weapon, of course, is the instant torque offered by electric motors. Unlike most conventional engines that reach their maximum torque from the upper-middle of the rev range, electric motors deliver their full torque the moment the pedal hits the floor.

[White Zombie is owned by PlasmaBoy Racing]