By Andrew Wendler

An old name returned to Motor City Wednesday evening, riding in on what we believe to be a re-purposed Lotus Exige chassis. Under the moniker SP:01, the first vehicle offered by the newly re-christened Detroit Electric Company was introduced to the automotive world. The Detroit manufacturer originally produced around 13,000 electric vehicles before its late-1930s demise, only for the nameplate to be resurrected by former Lotus Engineering Group CEO Albert Lamm and a team of A-list auto-industry personnel in 2008. (Get up to date with Detroit Electric’s recent history here).

The latest vehicle to enter the tumultuous arena of all-electric transport, the SP:01 will be limited to 999 examples, exempting it from the homologation process of mass-produced vehicles. It will, however, be homologated under the “Small Series” regulations in Europe, which also are accepted by the Japanese and Hong Kong authorities. In the U.S., Detroit Electric tells us the it will submit to federal safety standards, but with an application for exceptions, which is common for low-volume manufacturers.

Secret Imposter

Arguably the most intriguing thing about the SP:01 has nothing to do with its drivetrain. At first glance, the SP:01 appears to be little more than a stock Lotus Exige stuffed full of batteries and an electric motor, but under closer inspection it becomes clear that the carbon-fiber bodywork largely is tailor-made. Only the passenger cell and a few exterior cues (firewall, windshield and frame, doors, and the Exige’s distinctive horizontal “victory sign” mirror mounts) remain untouched. All of the bodywork is supplied by motorsport and and engineering composite manufacturer, the URT Group. Compared to the 2012 Exige S Roadster that debuted at the 2012 Geneva show, the closest Exige to the SP:01 in terms of exterior styling, the SP:01 retains a three-section front fascia motif, refining the formula with smaller, mesh-filled outboard intakes bracketing Detroit Electric’s “tron” graphic front and center. Angles replace the curves throughout the body without straying too far from the Exige’s original design emphasis, and the top employs a double-bubble roof reminiscent of the new Corvette Stingray’s. Gone is the Exige’s bulging fastback, replaced buy a more vertical backlight.

As you might expect, the interior is Exige-derived, the biggest difference being the presence of the Detroit Electric’s so-called Smartphone Application Managed Infotainment system (SAMI), which provides access to such wide-ranging functions as regenerative-braking adjustment, vehicle-systems status, battery charge, range to recharge, and other vehicle telemetry as well as more-traditional features such as interior lighting, music selection, and navigation. SAMI also can act as a remote-control unit via GSM, enabling the user to locate the vehicle, turning on the climate-control system, and to check the charge status.

Power to the People

Power for the 2403-pound two-seater comes from a U.S.-made, asynchronous electric motor rated at 201 horsepower and torque of 166 lb-ft. The electric motor is located behind the cabin, while the battery pack is positioned between the transmission and the cabin firewall bulkhead, which is moved slightly forward in comparison to the Exige. A second battery …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver