The Detroit Electric SP:01, which is based on the Lotus Elise, has made its global public debut at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show.
Described as world’s fastest pure-electric production sports car, the SP:01 is powered by a mid-mounted electric motor that develops 201 hp and 225 Nm of torque. It is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox from the Lotus Elise but with the final two gears deactivated, allowing the 1,067 kg car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and hit a top speed of 249 km/h.
With an impressive energy storage capacity of 37 kWh, the battery gives the SP:01 a range of almost 306 km (190 miles) between recharges, when tested to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) standard. Charging the battery takes 4.3 hours.
The company said that 35 orders were received for the SP:01. Production will be limited to 999 units and will begin this August at the new Detroit Electric production plant in Michigan. Each model has a starting price of $135,000 and comes with a three-year, 30,000-mile warranty with an optional extension for the battery to five years and 50,000 miles.
