Ask any Detroiter, Michigander, or American what new breakthrough they’d like to see in automotive technology, and a good number will probably mention an alternative fuel car that “earns its salt”—i.e. one that can run efficiently and sustainably without sacrificing performance.
The partners in a new venture, which revived a storied automotive name, believe they’ve realized that vision. On April 3, 2013 officials in newly formed Detroit Electric Holdings Ltd. Unveiled their debut vehicle, the impressive new SP: 01 Sports Roadster to an invitation only audience at Detroit’s Fisher Building, which is also the planned site for the firm’s US headquarters.
It’s hard to overstate the fascination industry observers and the green communities have with cars of this type. For decades, automakers have grappled with the challenge of making a battery or a fuel cell deliver the power and reliability offered by conventional gasoline engines.
But company officials believe they’ve solved the puzzle. The two seats SP: 01 is equipped with an electric motor capable of producing 150 kW and 166 b. ft. of torque, which are in turn supplied by two lithium polymer batteries. This combination will make it possible for the car to accelerate from zero to 62 in a lightning swift 3.7 seconds. This amount of power and the light weight achieved by its carbon fiber body will provide the vehicle with a range of 180 miles.
An innovative smart phone app called SAMI (Smartphone Application Management Infotainment system) provides the owner with complete remote control of the car’s music player, GPS navigation and interior lighting, in addition to the various vehicle systems—battery charge level, range and recharge thresholds.
A unique green feature is the car’s “bidirectional charge and discharge feature.” When paired with the patented Detroit Electric home charging and power back up unit, the SP: 01’s battery power can be used to energize the owner’s home in the event of a blackout.
Detroit Electric borrows its name from an iconic piece of automotive history. The original Detroit Electric Company produced electric cars from 1906 until 1939 which were intended primarily for short distance urban driving, and were very popular with female drivers of the era. By selecting this storied name, the company aims to stress its linkage to the Motor City. Besides its Fisher Building headquarters, production will take place at a yet to be announced location in Wayne County. Long term plans for the company to open engineering and design facilities in southeast Michigan. Collectively, Detroit Electric plans to add some 300 new jobs to the region.
While the SP: 01 certainly represents a technical (and ecological) breakthrough, the car will undoubtedly be beyond the reach of most automotive buyers. For this initial model, production of only 999 copies is planned. However, in time the company plans to introduce mass market hatchbacks and sedans priced in the $30,000 range.
And judging from this energetic start, Detroit Electric seems poised to soar!
Author: Paul Vachon – Reporter/Automotive, Historian, representing GreeningDetroit.com