200mph Electric Supercar Will be Built in the UK

At Dean Group, we believe it’s important to keep up-to-date with what is happening in the manufacturing world and the implications that new technologies and advancements bring. At the moment, a new electric supercar is making headlines in the automotive industry, and we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take an in-depth look at such a technological marvel.

The D-1 supercar is set to be built in the UK and has been dubbed a “British engineering tour de force.” The vehicle will be developed and built by the new company Dendrobium Automotive Limited, which is part of Singapore-based Vanda Electrics. Below, we take a look at what makes this car so different, and why it’s a game-changer in the automotive industry.

Absolutely wonderful day two at Salon Prive - Boodles Ladies’ Day. The interest in our technology from car enthusiasts and collectors is wonderful. EVs are the future and our technology showcase is proof the future is very exciting.. #technology #designer pic.twitter.com/WH4324BeXS

— Dendrobium Automotive (@Dendrobiummotor) August 31, 2018

What is the D-1 Supercar?

Capable of achieving 0-60mph in just 2.7 seconds, approximately the same time as the McLaren Senna, the Bugatti Veyron and the BAC Mono, the D-1 is a supercar expected to require a seven-figure price tag. The all-electric vehicle is set to start being produced in 2019, and it will be engineered, developed and built with the help of Formula 1 experts at Williams Advanced Engineering.

A prototype car, called Vanda Dendrobium, debuted at the Geneva Motor Show and used a single motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. When built, the D-1 will use solid-state batteries and will have a power output of 1800bhp with torque of 1475lb-ft. In addition to having three electric motors, it will be manufactured from a blend of carbon fibre, advanced composites and alloys to keep its weight down to 1750kg.

The design of the D-1 electric car is based on Singapore’s national flower, the Vanda Orchid, which evokes the vehicle’s Asian heritage. This design dates back to 1996 – when it was first conceptualised by an unnamed designer who wishes to remain anonymous – and was revised in the mid-2000s.

The fact that it will be built in the UK is especially worthy of mention, mainly with current worries (and uncertainty) over the future of manufacturing after Brexit. All of the car’s technology – unique cabling and connector systems, vehicle integration as well as ADAS software and hardware – will be developed in the UK.

Take a look at the Vanda Dendrobium concept car showcased at the Geneva Motor Show below:

The D-1 Supercar and the Industry

Dendrobium Automotive Limited are focused both on creating technological solutions for the electric vehicles sector and on developing and manufacturing electric supercars that are ultra-high-performance. The supercar they’re building at the moment (or hypercar, as it’s also being called) has incredible specifications and can reach speeds that compete with the best supercars out there, offering definitive proof that electric vehicles are no longer lagging behind ‘traditional’ supercars in terms of performance.

On the contrary, cars like the D-1 may very well have the advantage. Inspired by nature but rooted in technology, the D-1 respects the environment but still retains its design- and technology-driven approach to car engineering.

This state-of-the-art car is revolutionising zero-emission performance technology, so it’s fair to say that it will probably set a new standard when it comes to supercar design, performance and experience.

Electric Cars and Sustainability

Sustainability is a very important issue for us at Dean Group, so we couldn’t be more excited at the idea of such a powerful supercar being built with the environment in mind as well. After all, almost 25% of today’s global CO₂ emissions can be linked to the transport sector, which is a staggering figure. As the UK government calls for half of new British cars to be low emissions by 2030, manufacturing an electric car using sustainable energy sources seems to be the next logical step in the industry.

Dutch manufacturer Lightyear also intends to build a car that is completely powered by solar energy and which can be driven for months without being charged. The company has invested in technologies that will allow them to build laminate solar cells for the vehicle and assures they can build a battery that will permit the car to be driven at night too.

By 2025, many other car companies expect to have their own electric models on the road – hopefully, at more affordable prices. Porsche will start production of their Taycan model in 2019, a car that will have over 300 miles of range per charge. Volkswagen are also revamping their famous minibus model with the ID Buzz, which is forecasted to be available for sale in 2022 and will feature a customisable interior. And Tesla intend to start producing their new Model Y SUV in 2020, which aims to be, according to Elon Musk, a “manufacturing revolution.”

The future is already here, however, with some electric cars on the road now, like the Nissan Leaf. This vehicle was released in 2018 and has a 151-mile range per charge. Norway is currently ahead of the game, with 32% of all vehicles sold in 2017 being electric; by 2025, the country intends to raise this number to 100%.

With diesel and petrol cars being phased out in the next few decades – both France and the UK will ban sales of petrol- and diesel-engine cars from 2040 – electric cars will not only become more popular than ever but also increasingly necessary, as the industry moves toward employing cleaner strategies and reducing emissions.

While we don’t build supercars at Dean Group, our ELITE investment casting process and its ability to produce lightweight parts could certainly help you manufacture or test one. We also take sustainability very seriously and are always striving to do our part for the environment. So, if you want or need a partner that will share your goals to a greener future, get in touch.