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Published on October 29th, 2014 | by Christopher DeMorro

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Detroit Electric SP:01 Revealed In Production Form

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October 29th, 2014 by  

detroit-electric-sp-01-2

Originally posted on GAS2

Just about a year after it was supposed to go into production, the Detroit Electric SP:01 has been revealed, again, with a slightly-altered-but-still-obviously-a-Lotus look. Can this Tesla Roadster knock-off pick up where Elon Musk left off?

For what it’s worth, Detroit Electric is talking more concrete specifications now, including two different models of the SP:01, the base “Pure” and speedier “Performance” models. While both models will share the same 37 kWh battery pack and 288 km/179 mile driving range per charge, the Performance version will go from 0 to 60 MPH in just 3.7 seconds, compared to the 5.3 seconds of the Pure model thanks to an additional 82 horsepower over the Pure.

The Performance model also gets a manual transmission and a top speed of 155 MPH compared to the single-speed automatic and 106 MPH top speed for the base version. While Detroit Electric hasn’t set a hard price yet, last time around they were quoting a MSRP of around $135,000. That makes even the Tesla Model S look affordable, though the less-powerful Pure model may have been added to address cost concerns.

The 2014 production version of the SP:01 has been altered slightly from the original concept that debuted last year, including a better-looking spoiler and back end and the addition of a pair of hood scoops up front. As Elon Musk found out first hand though, modifying a Lotus chassis to become a battery-electric car is pretty damn hard, which probably accounts for the year-long production delay, as well as the move from U.S. manufacturing to merry ol’ England.

However Detroit Electric did sign a non-binding agreement to provide some 300 EVs to South Korea’s Jeju Island, which could give the start-up the initial volume needed to get going down the right path. It would be nice to see such a historic and storied brand make a comeback, and Detroit Electric has stubbornly refused to disappear.

On one hand it’s easy to poke fun at Detroit Electric for basically copying the Tesla Motors playbook, and the sense of been-here-seen-that sucks a lot of the potential excitement out of the SP:01. On the other hand, if it worked for Tesla, which has no ambitions of building a Roadster replacement anytime soon, why can’t it work for Detroit Electric too?

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About the Author

A writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMIs, can be found wrenching or writing- or esle, he's running, because he's one of those crazy people who gets enjoyment from running insane distances.


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  • Jenny Sommer

    Not the first electric car sharing the Elise base. Remember the Zytek Lotus Elise?

  • http://zacharyshahan.com/ Zachary Shahan

    I could buy this car.

    Only problem is I have almost no use for it.

    Imagine the price is going to be quite high too.

    • Benjamin Nead

      Even though I’m typically hyper-critical on hearing about yet another EV supercar (when what we all really need is a greater selection of more practical and more affordable ones,) I do see a bit of logic in the marketing of this particular one. It really is an almost perfect clone of the (now out of production) Tesla Roadster. If you couldn’t get one of those back in 2009, you can do it now (or soon.) $135K is ridiculous for any car, of course, but it almost looks frugal compared to some of these other EV supercars that retail for 2 and 3 times that amount.

      All that said, I note that used Leafs and i-MiEVs can be had for well under $20K. With all the money “left over” from not buying a $135K EV, I can buy a house!

      • Bob_Wallace

        Or you could wait a while Tesla is supposed to be releasing a new Roadster. I’m betting it’s based on the Model X chassis.

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