Detroit Electric Unveils SP:01 -- The New Benchmark For Electric Vehicle Performance And Handling

DETROIT, April 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Emissions-free motoring has a new high-performance champion following the unveiling today of Detroit Electric's SP:01, a limited-edition, two-seat pure-electric sports car that sets new standards for performance and handling in the electric vehicle (EV) segment.  Boasting an impressive 155mph (249km/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.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130403/DE88655 )

The new SP:01 was launched under the brand's mantra of 'Pure Electric Excitement' at Detroit Electric's new headquarters in the Fisher Building in downtown Detroit.  Just 999 examples will be built at the company's new production facility in Wayne County, Michigan.

The rear-wheel-drive SP:01 delivers exceptional performance.  Featuring a compact, mid-mounted 201bhp electric motor (delivering 166lb/ft of torque), a lightweight, purpose-designed battery pack and all-new carbon-fibre bodywork, the SP:01's total weight is just 2,354lb, contributing to its class-leading handling.  

The SP:01's innovative powertrain delivers instantaneous torque through a four-speed manual gearbox for optimal acceleration.  An automatic transmission is available as an option. 

The 37kWh battery gives the SP:01 an impressive range of almost 190 miles, when tested to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) standard.  Detroit Electric's home charging unit will enable drivers to fully recharge their SP:01 in 4.3 hours. 

"The SP:01 will be exclusive, luxurious and technologically advanced," said Albert Lam, Detroit Electric's Chairman and Group CEO.  "The car will be an exciting and innovative product, displaying outstanding performance coupled with strong green credentials, and delivering an exhilarating driving experience."

The bespoke bodywork is constructed of carbon fibre.  Styled by Detroit Electric's Head of Design, Jerry Chung, the SP:01's angular lines give the car a bold, imposing design while optimising aerodynamic efficiency.

SP:01 is the first car to use innovative smartphone applications to manage the in-car infotainment system.  The Smartphone Application Managed Infotainment system ('SAMI') provides access to a wide range of functions and vehicle systems information.

The SP:01 is equipped with bi-directional charge and discharge capability, made possible through Detroit Electric's patented home charging and power back-up unit, named '360 Powerback'.  As well as charging the battery the unit can also detect power failures in the grid and restore power to the home via SAMI.

An all-disc braking system, anti-lock braking and Electronic Stability Control are fitted as standard, but it is the SP:01's Regenerative Braking technology that sets the car apart, delivering superb stopping performance while ensuring greater energy efficiency.  The car's energy recovery mechanism uses the motor as a generator, recovering kinetic energy and using it to recharge the batteries.

On sale by end of August, the SP:01 will herald a new family of all-electric production cars from Detroit Electric, including two high-performance models that will be in production by the end of 2014.

The price of SP:01 starts at $135,000 USD, and will vary according to specification and local taxes. Each SP:01 will come with a three-year, 30,000-mile warranty with an optional extension for the battery to five years and 50,000 miles.

The original electric car innovators, Detroit Electric began life in 1906 and went on to make some 13,000 vehicles by 1939, setting the EV production world record for the twentieth century.

SOURCE Detroit Electric