Detroit Electric SP:01 Claims to Be Fastest Electric Car in the World

Detroit ElectricDetroit ElectricUnited States of America, 1906 > present1 model
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publically revealed its SP:01Detroit Electric SP:01 Gen.1United States of America, 2014 > present1 Version
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sports car at the Shanghai Motor Show. It is claiming that it is the fastest electric car currently in production with acceleration to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 155mph, which is as fast as a Tesla RoadsterTesla RoadsterUnited States of America, 2006 > present2 photos
but with a higher top speed.

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,” said Detroit Electric Chairman Albert Lam.

Detroit Electric says that it has already received 35 orders for the car and plans to begin deliveries before the end of the year. It boasts a carbon fiber body and 180-mile range, 64 miles less than the Tesla Roadster.

The SP:01 is powered by a 201hp and 166lb-ft of torque electric motor mounted in the middle of the car. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual gearbox, but because it is an electric motor, there is no clutch.

The battery has 37kWh of charge and will take 4.3 hours to charge. The battery also recharges on the road via regenerative braking and kinetic energy recovery when drivers take their foot off of the accelerator.

The platform comes directly from the Lotus ExigeLotus Exige Gen.3United Kingdom, 2012 > present16 versions
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because the founders both have links to Lotus Engineering. The platform is all aluminum, but Detroit Electric added its own carbon fiber body. The SP:01’s total weight is 2,354lbs.

The interior features leather seats, carbon fiber trim and a smart phone-connected infotainment system.

Production of the SP:01 is slated to begin at the end of 2014. They will be built in Michigan, and Detroit Electric believes that it will have an annual capacity of 2,500 cars.