World's Fastest Electric Car Detroit Electric's SP:01 Revealed

Shanghai Motor Show, one of the biggest platforms to showcase automobiles, starts today. On the very first day, the center of the attraction is Detroit Electric’s new high-performance electric sports car, the SP:01, which has received its global public reveal here. The SP:01 is a limited-edition, two-seat, pure-electric sports car, which sets a new benchmark for performance and handling in the electric vehicle (EV) segment. The car was under the wraps till now and it is at the Shanghai event that the viewers can enjoy its bold design for the first time. As its booking options for this model has been open since early April, interest in this sports car has been impressive, with 35 orders being placed within an hour. 

The new SP:01 was launched under the brand’s mantra of ‘Pure Electric Excitement’ at the company’s headquarters in Detroit on 3 April. Boasting an impressive 155 mph (249 km/h) top speed and covering the 0-62mph (0-100km/h) sprint in a blistering 3.7 seconds, the SP:01 is the world’s fastest pure-electric production car. The SP:01’s exceptional performance is owed in large part to its excellent power-to-weight ratio. The rear-wheel-drive SP:01 features a compact, mid-mounted 201 bhp electric motor (delivering 166 lb ft of torque), a lightweight, purpose-designed battery pack and all-new carbon-fibre bodywork. Total weight is just 2,354 lb, contributing to the SP:01’s superior driving dynamics and class-leading handling.

The vehicle is based on a strong yet lightweight aluminium platform, and is being launched following a five-year development and road-test programme. As well as the all-new carbon-fibre bodywork, similar to that used in Formula 1 vehicle chassis, the SP:01 also features specialised performance-tuned suspension, steering and brake systems to provide class-leading ride and handling characteristics. To deliver instantaneous torque for breath-taking acceleration, the SP:01’s innovative powertrain creates an electromagnetic field around the rotor shaft, which then spins at varying speeds to drive the wheels. Drivers can select one of four gear ratios for optimal acceleration, but unlike a manual shift in a conventional car, there is little need to change gear regularly to ensure brisk progress.

With an impressive energy storage capacity of 37 kWh, the battery gives the SP:01 a range of almost 190 miles between recharges, when tested to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) standard. Detroit Electric’s home charging unit will enable drivers to charge their SP:01, with full charge achieved in 4.3 hours. Rigorously tested by Detroit Electric for use in the SP:01, the battery technology also has been deployed successfully in other highly demanding applications, notably in helicopters and submarines. “The SP:01 will be exclusive, luxurious andtechnologically advanced,” said Albert Lam, Detroit Electric’s Chairman and Group CEO. “It is a milestone in the history of the Detroit Electric brand, but also a significant development for the international EV sector. The car will allow us to demonstrate to the world our ability to build an exciting and innovative product, one that displays outstanding performance coupled with strong green credentials, and which delivers an exhilarating driving experience.” 

The SP:01’s bespoke bodywork is constructed entirely of carbon-fibre. Styled by Detroit Electric’s Head of Design, Jerry Chung, the SP:01’s angular lines and muscular stance give the car a bold, imposing design while also optimising aerodynamic efficiency. The one-piece front panel features a sharply contoured bonnet and angular front fenders with imposing air-intakes to emphasise the car’s power and prowess. The compact rear light cluster is reminiscent of high-performance American sports cars of the past, while the integrated side cooling ducts enhance the car’s distinctive profile. To accentuate the SP:01’s pure electric credentials, a transparent inspection window displays the vehicle’s impressive battery technology. The interior of the vehicle hints at the essence of the Detroit Electric brand by combining luxurious refinement with advanced technology – highlighted through the use of carbon-fibre and specially selected leather finishes.

An all-disc braking system, coupled with ABS (anti-lock braking) and ESP (Electronic Stability Control) is fitted as standard, ensuring excellent stopping power. But it is the SP:01’s Regenerative Braking technology that sets the car apart, underpinning superb stopping performance while ensuring greater energy efficiency. The car’s energy recovery mechanism uses the motor as a generator, recovering kinetic energy when acceleration is interrupted and using it to recharge the vehicle’s battery packs, while imitating the retardation characteristics of a gasoline engine.