Lightweight, all electric, 249 km/h top speed

Detroit Electric has made a special debut at AutoShanghai with a new high-performance electric sports car: the SP:01.

A limited-edition, two-seat pure-electric sports car, the Detroit Electric SP:01 is being touted as a benchmark-setter for performance and handling in the growing electric vehicle (EV) segmenat. As a testament to the SP:01's sporting appeal, Detroit Electric already has 35 orders within one hour of the car officially going on sale in early April.

The car rides on a lightweight aluminum platform with a carbon fiber body, and is powered by a 201 horsepower electric motor, with batteries that can be charged in 4.3 hours, as the company claims.

As a result, the SP:01 can achieve a 0-100 km/h time of just 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 249 kilometers per hour, making it the fastest EV around.

The SP:01 will be produced in Wayne County, Michigan.