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An old name returned to Motor City Wednesday evening, riding in on what we believe to be a re-purposed Lotus Exige chassis. Under the moniker SP:01, the first vehicle offered by the newly re-christened Detroit Electric Company was introduced to the automotive world. The Detroit manufacturer originally produced around 13,000 electric vehicles before its late-1930s demise, only for the nameplate to be resurrected by former Lotus Engineering Group CEO Albert Lamm and a team of A-list auto-industry personnel in 2008. (Get up to date with Detroit Electric's recent history here). The latest vehicle to enter the tumultuous arena of all-electric transport, the SP:01 will be limited to 999 examples, exempting it from the homologation process of mass-produced vehicles. It will, however, be homologated under the "Small Series" regulations in Europe, which also are accepted by the Japanese and Hong Kong authorities. In the U.S., Detroit Electric tells us the it will submit to federal safety standards, but with an application for exceptions, which is common for low-volume manufacturers. Secret Imposter Arguably the most intriguing thing about the SP:01 has nothing to do with its drivetrain. At first glance, the SP:01 appears to be little more than a stock Lotus Exige stuffed full of batteries and an electric motor, but under closer inspection it becomes clear that the carbon-fiber bodywork largely is tailor-made. Only the passenger cell and a few exterior cues (firewall, windshield and frame, doors, and the Exige's distinctive horizontal "victory sign" mirror mounts) remain untouched. All of the bodywork is supplied by motorsport and and engineering composite manufacturer, the URT Group. Compared to the 2012 Exige S Roadster that debuted at the 2012 Geneva show, the closest Exige to the SP:01 in terms of exterior styling, the SP:01 retains a three-section front fascia motif, refining the formula with smaller, mesh-filled outboard intakes bracketing Detroit Electric's "tron" graphic front and center. Angles replace the curves throughout the body without straying too far from the Exige's original design emphasis, and the top employs a double-bubble roof reminiscent of the new Corvette Stingray's. Gone is the Exige's bulging fastback, replaced buy a more vertical backlight. As you might expect, the interior is Exige-derived, the biggest difference being the presence of the Detroit Electric's so-called Smartphone Application Managed Infotainment system (SAMI), which provides access to such wide-ranging functions as regenerative-braking adjustment, vehicle-systems status, battery charge, range to recharge, and other vehicle telemetry as well as more-traditional features such as interior lighting, music selection, and navigation. SAMI also can act as a remote-control unit via GSM, enabling the user to locate the vehicle, turning on the climate-control system, and to check the charge status. Power to the People Power for the 2403-pound two-seater comes from a U.S.-made, asynchronous electric motor rated at 201 horsepower and torque of 166 lb-ft. The electric motor is located behind the cabin, while the battery pack is positioned between the transmission and the cabin firewall bulkhead, which is moved slightly forward in comparison to the Exige. A second battery pack is located on top of the electric motor. The engine bay features its own cooling system, and the SP:01 is fitted with a special thermal-management pack developed in-house by Detroit Electric. Top speed is a claimed 155 mph and the 0-to-62-mph sprint will take of 3.7 seconds, which—again, according to the manufacturer—makes the SP:01 the fastest pure-electric vehicle in volume production.
Unlike many electric vehicles, the SP:01 uses the transmission left behind by its donor vehicle. Essentially a four-speed manual—the existing fifth and sixth gears are blocked off—drives the rear wheels. Those interested in exploring the SP:01's limits can reinstate the fifth gear, or specify the Twinspeed automatic gearbox for an unspecified price. Detroit Electric says there is no need to use the clutch pedal when setting off from standstill or when coming to a halt, as the motor simply stops. First gear is good for around town, and second will take you up to 60 mph; only above that is the use of third and fourth required. Two lithium-polymer battery packs provide the SP:01 with a claimed range of 180 miles. When connected to a 240-volt, 32-amp charger—that's an awful lot of current, as most 240-volt circuits in an average home run a maximum of 15 amps—a full charge is possible in about four hours and 20 minutes. When hooked up to a more common 240-volt, 13-amp circuit, eight hours should provide a full recharge. The SP:01 also has a telemetry-link to the maker so that the health of the battery packs and electric powertrain can be monitored and checked anywhere in the world. Detroit Electric is confident in the platform, noting the 90.6-inch wheelbase platform was originally designed to handle up to 400 horsepower. Fully independent front and rear double-wishbone suspension features Eibach coil springs and Bilstein dampers, both of which have been modified to suit the SP:01′s different weight distribution. Power steering is not required—purists rejoice!—and the leather-rimmed steering wheel requires 2.8 turns lock-to-lock, resulting in a 34.7-foot turning circle. Sixteen-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in 175/55 tires sit in the front; 17-inchers with 225/45 rubber roll out back. Ventilated and cross-drilled discs measuring 11.3 inches are arrested by AP calipers up front and Brembo units out back. Giving Back Taking a page from a 1950s issue of Popular Science magazine, the engineers at Detroit Electric imbued the SP:01 with the capability to share the energy stored in its battery pack with an entire home. When partnered with the brand's patented 360 Powerback home-charging and power back-up unit, the SP:01′s battery can be linked to the owner's home electricity supply. This smart unit also can detect any power failure of the grid and provide the option to the user—via the aforementioned SAMI—to instruct the vehicle to restore power to the home using its stored energy. Pricing for the SP:01 is to begin at $135,000, excluding destination, taxes, and options—information on those goodies is unavailable as yet. Detroit Electric says the SP:01 will come with a three-year, 30,000-mile manufacturer's warranty, with an optional extension to five years and 50,000 miles for the battery. Two additional high-performance models are scheduled to enter production by end of 2014. Let's get the standard model through the door first, we say, but we like what we see so far.
from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com | |||
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Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Detroit Electric Reveals Two-Seat, All-Electric SP:01 Sports Car in the Motor City
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