Sometimes appearances can be deceiving, but not in this case: Detroit Electric’s teaser photo released earlier this month previewed a significant design change for the SP:01 electric sports car.
As we anticipated, the SP:01 has ditched the roadster body style for a fastback coupe shape, and the first official photo of the EV proves it.
Detroit Electric has revealed the final exterior design of the SP:01 two-seater, which will allegedly be the world’s fastest production electric sports car when it goes on sale in Asia, Europe and North America, starting in 2015.
The company promises the SP:01 will sprint from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 3.7 seconds and will reach a top speed of 249 km/h (155 mph), with production expected to start later this year at a new facility in the UK.
According to the release, he design updates have been made “to further improve the vehicle’s aerodynamic performance.” The SP:01 now features a large rear wing and an under-body diffuser aimed at reducing lift and improving downforce at higher speeds.
Detroit Electric says the car has also gained a series of aesthetic and functional enhancements such as the front air intake and outlet ducts on the bonnet, which have been reshaped to optimize airflow to the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system.
Additionally, the vehicle’s battery packs have been clad in a protective composite casing which forms an integral part of the vehicle’s structure. This improves the SP:01’s torsional rigidity and protects the batteries from punctures in the event of an accident.
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