- A small, lightweight and affordable electric sports car will go on sale this year in Europe.
- The SC01 two-door Chinese car impressed car reviewers with its road manners and old-school feel.
- European production is scheduled to begin this year in Italy, with only 1,000 units reserved for “select” markets.
Mazda An electric Miata has never been made, and… Tesla Roadster They can still only be found in fantasy land. So, if you’re looking for a fun, affordable, compact electric sports car, your options are pretty limited — zero if you live in the US.
European sports car enthusiasts are about to get an interesting new model soon Chinese electric car SC01 He is preparing to make his debut this year. The small two-seat electric car, backed by tech giant Xiaomi, went on sale in China last year and immediately caught the attention of enthusiasts thanks to its light weight, precise steering and old-school vibes.
Image by: SC01 Europe
The electric car is powered by two electric motors – one at the front and one at the rear – producing 430 horsepower (320 kilowatts). But while the power figure is nothing to write home about in the age of 1,000-horsepower electric cars, its weight is. The SC01 weighs just under 3,086 pounds (1,400 kg), which is very low for a battery-powered car. In fact, it’s at least 220 pounds (100 kg) lighter than a Porsche 911.
Furthermore, the SC01’s dual-motor powertrain has a neat trick up its sleeve. It functions as a four-wheel drive setup, but can also be set up to drive only the rear wheels or only the front wheels. When all is said and done, the European version of the SC01, which is currently undergoing the certification process, can run from zero to 62mph (0-100mph) in 2.9 seconds.
Photography: Everything Electric Australia
The interior is very basic, with only minimal provision for the driver and passenger. The 60 kWh battery, supplied by CALB, allows a CLTC-rated range of 310 miles (500 km) and can be recharged from 30% to 60% in 36 minutes.
The Chinese version of the two-door electric car was developed by Tianjin Gongjiangpai Auto Technology (TGAT), but manufactured by JMEV, a joint venture between Groupe Renault and Jiangling Motors Corporation.
The company said the European SC01 model will be manufactured in Italy, but it is unclear where assembly will take place. Wherever the car will be assembled, it will obviously be a limited-run model, with only 1000 units The company said it was intended for “select European markets.” There’s no price yet for European buyers, but if it’s going to be like its Chinese counterpart, which costs around $32,000 (€28,000), it could be a big hit.
