Danish hybrid hypercars claim to have quad-turbo V-12 verve with the rail-gun acceleration of electric hypercars.
Four-digit horsepower and 0-60 mph acceleration times under two seconds aren’t as impressive as they once were. The 0.01 percenters can choose between an Aspark Owl, a Rimac Nevera, a Pininfarina Battista, or even a Tesla Model S Plaid that suits the bill. Heck, even the 2 percenters can bring the whole family along.
Ennui is an ever-present risk among hypercar enthusiasts, and more and more of these customers are insisting that the sound, vibration, and general mayhem they enjoyed in their dependable old high-2-second gas hypercars that lacked the slingshot launch be added to their intense initial g-load shock.
A multi-tasking automobile called after the ethereal nighttime light show is being prepared for them by Denmark. The Zenvo Aurora is here.
Most Powerful V-12
This electric hypercar has a custom V-12 engine that was ordered from the German supplier Mahle. In part to accommodate a “hot-vee” breathing system that nestles the exhaust pipework and four compact, quick-spooling, non-sequential turbos in the valley of the vee, it has an unusual 90-degree bank angle.
Also, Mahle may use a lot of the design work completed for 90-degree V-8 and V-6 engines in the future, which helps to pay the costs for this engine. Mahle is free to sell these engines to other producers, but Zenvo might purchase part of them for a planned line of “junior hypercars” with a $1.5 million price tag due in 2027 or 2028. Furthermore, the crank pins are offset to ensure the even firing we anticipate from a V-12, so don’t worry.
Mahle’s Jet Ignition system, which essentially packs a thimble-sized and -shaped chamber and spark plug where a regular spark plug would sit, is another fascinating feature. Similar to Maserati’s Nettuno engine, combustion begins in this chamber.
From there, superheated “free radical” air-fuel molecules emerge through six strategically placed holes, instantly igniting the remaining air-fuel combination in the cylinder. This arrangement, which enables the engine to run at a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio under all circumstances as opposed to running rich so that unburned gasoline can evaporate to help cool turbos and other components, largely addresses the question.
The fact that this method is prohibited by the Euro 7 emissions regulations is a major factor in the phase-out of large, potent engines.
The final product is an engine with 1,250 horsepower and 885 pound-feet of torque. That represents a huge improvement above the naturally aspirated V-12 Pagani Huayra’s 819 horsepower and 553 pound-feet and the Ferrari 812 Competizione’s 830 horsepower and 510 pound-feet, not to mention twin-turbo W-12s that peaked at the 740 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of the Bentley Batur. This aluminum marvel weighs just under 575 pounds when fully assembled.
Agil, a crazy rear-drive track monster with extreme aerodynamics to increase downforce and handling, and Tur, a smoother, more comfortable, and top-speed-focused version of the Zenvo Aurora, will be available for purchase (these names are Danish for “agile” and “touring”).
The Agil will have a single electric motor sandwiched between the engine and the automated seven-speed single-shaft sequential transmission, whilst the Tur will have two extra motors that will power the front wheels and provide torque vectoring.
Interior
To better experience all those engine vibrations, the seats are basically pads placed to the carbon-fiber monocoque, together with reach-adjustable pedals. The majority of the controls are gathered on the steering wheel or close by on the center console, with the window switches located overhead to make sure even the smallest passengers can use them.
There don’t seem to be any screens, just entirely analog meters, which is a welcome change. But if you use the rim-mounted buttons to indicate a lane change, the left or right gauge pod will turn 180 degrees to show an image from the blind-spot camera.
When an incoming call comes in, you can accept it by rotating the left gauge pod to expose a phone pairing screen. The right gauge pod can also show information like tire pressures and brake temperatures.
Performance
Zenvo estimates that the rear-drive, traction-limited Agil model accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, 125 mph in 4.6 seconds, and 186 mph in 10 seconds before reaching a top speed of 227 mph (with the aero wings trimmed).
With all-wheel drive, the car can reach 248 mph in only 17 seconds and has a stated top speed of 280 mph. It also cuts the time from 0 to 62 mph and the dash to 186 seconds in half. Zenvo clearly acknowledges that its goal isn’t to break lap records at the Nürburgring.
Its vehicles, notably the Agil, are designed to be fiercely quick while yet being docile enough to be enjoyed much more frequently.
Structure Design & Aero-Dynamics
The ZM1 carbon-fiber monocoque for future Zenvos was created in collaboration with the Spanish company Managing Composites. It only weighs 265 pounds, and more than 70% of it is left exposed and visible both inside and outside.
Control arms and pushrod-activated coil-over shocks make up the suspension, which is directly bolted to the engine. Like in some high-end wristwatches and superbikes, many of the components are still visible and are highlighted as part of the overall design.
According to reports, it has a 63,500 Nm/degree torsional stiffness. When the 987 Cayman was released, the 31,500 Nm/deg statistic was reported to be a 250 percent gain over the Bugatti Veyron, which the company claimed to be slightly over 60,000.
Keep in mind that the radiator up front doesn’t have a large extractor to expel the air. That’s because Zenvo discovered that the performance of the wing was harmed by hot air flowing over the ceiling. As a result, hot radiator air leaves the radiator and joins air running through ducts directly in the board of each front wheel, whose acceleration aids in creating suction.
The air deflectors directly aft of the doors were distinguished by the wavy shape left in its wake. The suspension control arms should be noted because they feature an aerodynamic contour and small air-directing flicks where they breach the bodywork. At the back, air entering the roof inlet feeds the valley-mounted intercoolers and distributes cooled air through the turbos, dissipating heat through the various
Starting in 2026, Praest, Denmark, will produce just 50 prototypes of each of the Zenvo Aurora Agil and Tur, with prices starting at €2,590,000 for each model. At the current currency rate, that amounts to nearly $2.82 million. The front motors can be added by Agil purchasers for an extra €200K ($217,500). “Brand-new emissions-compliant V-12,” Zenvo got our attention.