Further details about the all-electric Detroit Electric SP:01 sports car have been revealed the most notable of which confirms that production will take place in the United Kingdom. This comes despite production initially being pencilled in for the Netherlands.
The SP:01 will be produced in Leamington Spa in the U.K. which is right at the heart of England’s automotive industry. Meanwhile, the Netherlands facility will handle sales and marketing. Detroit Electric hopes to increase its current crop of staff to 80 by early next year. It is hoped that in the future, Detroit Electric will be able to begin producing cars in Motor City (Detroit) but for now, European production has been deemed more feasible.
Beyond the Detroit Electric SP:01, the electric auto maker hopes to create a 2+2 supercar as well as a sedan which it hopes will be produced in Michigan.
Based heavily off the current Lotus Elise, the Detroit Electric SP:01 features custom carbon fiber bodywork from Detroit Electric while the fully independent front and rear suspension system and front anti-roll bar have both been maintained from the standard Lotus Elise.
Similarly, the Detroit Electric SP:01 uses the same mid-engined layout as the Lotus Elise except for the fact that the engine bay also supports a large battery back.
Powering the Detroit Electric SP:01 are two 37-kWh lithium-polymer batteries and an AC electric motor which combine to pump out 201 hp and 166 lb-ft of torque. Consequently, Detroit Electric claims that the SP:01 is the world’s quickest electric car with it capable of hitting 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h.
