Electrifying performance with a Spanish flavour

THIS year’s Beijing motor-show featured some typically idiosyncratic stuff, including lawyer-defeating Euro-clones and odd extended wheelbase versions of standard cars, but among the more intriguing cars on display was one which was styled in Spain.

Inspired by Formula E racecars, the Arcfox-7 was unveiled by the Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation (BAIC) at the event, and although it might look similar to countless other next-generation production cars, this one has no engine.

Designed at BAIC’s Research and Development Centre in Barcelona, the car features a 603-bhp electric motor that catapults it to 100 km/h in less than three seconds, with a reported maximum speed of 260 km/h.

Powered by a 66.6 kWh battery pack which gives the car a range of approximately 300km, the electric supercar also features a carbon fibre body and a  futuristic interior constructed from “recyclable, biodegradable, environmentally friendly materials”, plus a range of next-generation technology including fingerprint recognition and an incredible-looking infotainment system.

Although it weighs a hefty 1,755 kilos, braking should be formidable, with six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston units to the rear, all mounted on carbon-ceramic brake discs.

The car is expected to go on sale later in 2016, with prices still to be announced.