2016 Detroit Electric SP:01 - on-sale date, specs, pictures

Detroit Electric SP:01 electric sports car sales have been put back to 2016.

However, Detroit Electric has vowed that the SP:01 will be "the world's fastest pure-electric production two-seater sports car" when it goes on sale.

The two-seat model, based on the Lotus Elise, was first shown in prototype form at the Shanghai motor show in 2013, and was originally slated for launch in Europe and Asia in late 2014. Production was due to begin at Detroit Electric's facility in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire early in 2015, but this has now been delayed. Following its show debut, Detroit Electric said it received 35 firm orders for the SP:01.

Recent design changes incorporated into the final production version include a new underbody diffuser and rear wing to reduce lift, plus minor changes to the front air intakes to improve airflow.

The SP:01's lithium-ion battery packs, which grant the car a range of around 180 miles, have also been clad in a new protective casing which shields the cells from damage in the event of an accident. Power output from the electric motor is rated at 281bhp, with 166lb ft of torque. A full charge was said to take four hours.

The company says the SP:01 will come with a top speed of 155mph and a 0-60mph sprint time of 3.9sec. Tesla's Model S manages the 0-62mph sprint in 4.2sec, but the recently announced dual-motor version is capable of 0-60mph in just 3.2sec.

Early pricing information suggested a starting cost of around £100,500. Standard specification includes carbon fibre body panels and a manual transmission, tough single-speed and twin-speed automatic transmissions are optional. The SP:01's weight is said to be 1090kg.

Inside, an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system features in the place of a traditional instrument cluster, and also handles vehicle functions including satellite navigation and infotainment. Leather sports seats are available, while a range of upgrades allow customers to personalise their cars.

The company has also revealed that plans for a new 2+2 model and saloon are also under consideration. Those models would be engineered and assembled in Detroit, and arrive after the SP:01's launch.

Detroit Electric Company wa soriginally an electric car producer at the beginning of the 20,000 century. It built about 13,000 vehicles. It was revived in 2008 by former CEO of the Lotus Engineering Group, Albert Lam.

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