Starting a new company is always somewhat difficult, but that’s particularly true in the car business.
Even when the new company shares its name with one of the original manufacturers of electric cars.
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The first prototype of the Detroit Electric SP:01 electric sports car was shown in 2013, and after many twists and turns we’re finally getting a look at the production-ready version.
Like the Tesla Roadster, the SP:01 is based on the Lotus Elise, and bears more than a passing resemblance to that British sports car. That’s perhaps not surprising, given that several ex-Lotus executives run the revived company.
2015 Detroit Electric SP:01
In another Tesla-like move, the SP:01 has an 8.4-inch Android touchscreen that replaces analog controls for functions like climate control and navigation.
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The rest of the interior is pretty bare, not that there’s much room for luxuries in the small two-seat cockpit.
Power comes from a 210-kilowatt (285 horsepower) electric motor and 37-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack.
Detroit Electric says that will get the SP:01 from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, and on to a top speed of 155 mph. Range is estimated at around 180 miles.
2015 Detroit Electric SP:01
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Detroit Electric previously said production would be limited to just 999 units, with prices starting at $135,000.
However, the given the company’s slow progress so far and the precarious nature of startup carmakers, it’s still unclear whether anyone will actually take delivery of an SP:01.
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