Building Wattson: Jeremy Snow’s Electric K1 Attack Transformation

JEROME ANDRE . October 16, 2024 . Electric Vehicle Features

Save ArticleLogin to save it

Jeremy Snow’s All-Electric K-1 Attack Car

Nestled among the snow-capped peaks of Salt Lake City, an audacious project sparked to life, one that would see the fusion of kit car culture and cutting-edge electric powertrain technology. Here, in the unassuming confines of a home garage, Jeremy Snow embarked on a three-year odyssey to transform the 2018 K1 Attack into a paragon of electric performance. Meet Wattson, his home-built electric supercar!

Jeremy’s story is not of an affluent collector adding another exotic to a lined garage but a true enthusiast with a vision transcending the conventional path of automotive passion. Dissatisfied with the notion that supercar experiences were reserved for the few, he embarked on a journey that began with a simple yet profound decision—to build rather than buy, to create rather than consume.

With a clear vision and a $56,000 budget, Jeremy’s journey into the realm of electric supercars began. The project’s heartbeat was a 2014 Tesla Model S Performance large drive unit, promising a formidable 450 kW (600 hp) and 600 Nm (450 ft-lb) torque. The ambition was clear: to match the style of supercars with the sheer force of electric propulsion.

The Transformation

The K1 Attack served as a blank canvas for this ambitious transformation, bringing a supercar silhouette within reach. However, Jeremy’s iteration would diverge from the internal combustion engine’s roar. Instead, he fitted the sleek chassis with the Tesla’s electric heart, harnessing 400V to spin up to a dizzying 18,000 RPM, catapulting Wattson from 0 to 60 in a blistering 2.5 seconds, and crossing the quarter mile in 11.1 seconds.

Revel in the process, seek joy in the challenge, and cherish every victory, big or small.

But raw power was only part of the equation. The need for sustainable, reliable energy led Jeremy to a 32 kWh battery pack sourced from a Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Cleverly split into two packs, the LG Chem Lithium-Ion pouch cells endowed Wattson with a city range of 125 miles – and significantly less when Jeremy’s right foot gets heavier. His pragmatism shone through in the details. The charger, tucked behind the license plate, offers a modest 2.7kW charge rate—no DC fast charging here. Simplicity and efficiency prevail.

With a clear vision and a $56,000 budget, Jeremy’s journey into the realm of electric supercars began.

The K1’s original suspension components were reimagined, now featuring QA1 custom coilovers and Model S control arms, marrying Tesla’s engineering with racing-inspired dynamism. The braking system, vital to harnessing Wattson’s velocity, boasts 4 piston Brembo brakes on both the front and rear wheels.

Externally, Wattson wears its electrified soul with pride. The body is bathed in a bespoke Sub Zero Blue Pearl coat from Eastwood, its rear fenders artfully flared to accommodate the widened stance necessitated by the Tesla subframe. Inside, the car’s futuristic heart coexists with a nod to tradition through a Pioneer audio system, ensuring that Wattson’s cabin is as much a sanctuary as it is a cockpit.

The journey of building Wattson has been more than a technical exercise. It has been an enriching, communal experience, with family and friends pitching in, advice from online communities, and unexpected roadblocks turning into learning experiences. Loss of isolation issues were met not with defeat but with innovation, such as integrating a fingerprint scanner for the start/stop button and eschewing the need for a key.

The result is not just a machine but a narrative of achievement and the boundless potential of electric propulsion.

Jeremy Snow recently opened his own conversion shop in Salt Lake City. How did he name it? Electric Supercar, of course!

Jeremy’s advice for those looking to tread a similar path is clear: revel in the process, seek joy in the challenge, and cherish every victory, big or small. The result is not just a machine but a narrative of achievement and the boundless potential of electric propulsion. Jeremy has since built another electric car, check out his YouTube channel, Electric SuperCar, and has even recently opened his shop in Salt Lake City : Electric Supercar – however, he doesn’t only do conversion on supercars. His current customer-order is a 1958 MGA!