Amazingly, it has been well over 6 months since the Detroit Electric SP:01 was initially announced for production. At the time, confirmation eventually came that production had been pushed back a month and that ultimately, production could take place in Holland rather than the United States as initially planned.
Now, The Detroit Bureau has confirmed that the small, start-up firm is looking to begin production of the SP:01 sports car in Holland later this year. Further down the road when the company launches new models, including a sedan, it is hoped that they will be built in Detroit.
While discussing the European based production, a PR firm representing Detroit Electric said, “Supply chain logistics have dictated that the assembly operations for the limited production run of that vehicle have currently to be located just in Europe.”
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 201hp and 166lb-ft of torque. Consequently, Detroit Electric claims that the SP:01 is the world’s quickest electric car with it capable of hitting 62mph in just 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 155mph.
[Via The Detroit Bureau]
