Chinese automaker JMEV will bring its lightweight electric sports car, the SC01, to Europe. The model, which appears inspired by the wedge-shaped design of the classic Lancia Stratos, has been described by its manufacturer as “the first electric sports car done properly.”
SC01 Europe, the division responsible for marketing the car in the continent, stated that the vehicle has “no excess,” emphasizing a desire “to prove that electric cars can still be raw [and] mechanical in feeling.”
The SC01 is the product of a collaboration between start-up Tianjin Gongjiangpai Auto Technology (TGAT) and established brands Xiaomi and JMEV. First unveiled in 2022, the car has recently entered production.
Slightly smaller than an Alpine A110, the SC01 features a spaceframe chassis with inboard push-rod dampers and an exceptionally low kerb weight of just 1365kg. By comparison, this is 40kg lighter than the six-cylinder Porsche Cayman GTS and roughly 500kg lighter than the MG Cyberster, currently the closest competitor sold in Europe.
Power comes from an electric motor mounted on each axle, producing a combined 429bhp. TGAT claims this allows the SC01 to accelerate from 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds.
Range is stated at 311 miles, thanks to a 60kWh battery pack positioned between the cockpit and rear axle, in the location traditionally occupied by a mid-mounted engine. However, this figure is based on China’s CLTC test cycle, which tends to overstate real-world range and does not account for the energy demands of high-performance driving.
Inside, the SC01 bucks the trend often seen in Chinese cars, opting for a driver-focused cockpit rather than a tech-heavy interior. It features a single digital display for instrumentation, physical climate controls, and a traditional handbrake lever. Gear selection buttons and window switches are mounted on the small centre console between the driver and passenger.
While a launch date and official pricing have yet to be announced, a website has been opened allowing prospective buyers to join a “priority list” for allocation.
According to the site, just 1,000 SC01s will be produced for Europe “and will never be offered again” after that initial run. European units are reported to be assembled in Italy, with a price around ¥500,000, equivalent to £53,400 or €61,300.
If TGAT can complete its factory and ready the SC01 for European homologation quickly, it may beat several long-established manufacturers in bringing an electric sports car to market. Lotus’s Type 135 remains several years away, as does Porsche’s electric 718 Boxster and Cayman. Meanwhile, Caterham recently revealed the first rolling prototype of its Project V at the Tokyo Auto Salon show.
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