Sports Car SC01 is Launched in China Today, with a Steel Frame Body and a Weight of Only 1365kg

【PCauto】The brand "Sports Car" has launched a distinctive model called the SC01 in the Chinese market, with a local price set at RM138,013.

True to its name, the SC01 is a compact sports car, measuring 4,106 mm in length, 1,830 mm in width, and 1,170 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,503 mm. As an electric vehicle, it emphasizes lightweight construction, achieving a body weight of only 1,365 kg, significantly lower than the typical range of 1,800 kg to 2,300 kg found in most electric cars.

The SC01’s lightweight design is attributed to its use of a space frame chassis, which is commonly found in lower-cost racing vehicles, such as those used in the Dakar Rally and NASCAR. The principle behind this chassis is arranging steel tubes in an array and welding them together. The steel tubes selected for the SC01 are made from 4130 chromoly steel.

The use of 4130 chromoly steel offers two major advantages. Firstly, it boasts high strength, allowing the chassis to remain stable and resistant to deformation under various road conditions. Secondly, it is lightweight, which is crucial for a sports car. A lighter chassis means an overall lighter vehicle, resulting in improved acceleration and handling, as well as extended range on a single charge.

The design of the space frame chassis places special emphasis on balancing strength and weight. The arrangement and connections of the steel tubes are meticulously designed to form a robust framework. The position and angle of each steel tube are carefully determined to share load effectively, whether during acceleration, braking, cornering, or traversing uneven surfaces.

Compared to traditional chassis designs, this approach uses fewer materials while still ensuring strength, resulting in a naturally lighter vehicle. Additionally, during low-volume production, these chassis can be handcrafted, eliminating the need for expensive large-scale casting equipment, thus reducing costs—making this method popular among smaller sports car manufacturers in the UK.

The lightweight body of the SC01 enhances its performance. Both the front and rear wheels are equipped with electric motors, generating a combined output of 320 kW and a torque of 560 N·m. With its light weight, the SC01 achieves rapid acceleration, reaching 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h.

In terms of handling, the lightweight and sturdy chassis allows for quick response during cornering, minimizing body roll. Notably, the SC01’s battery is positioned behind the seats rather than under the chassis, optimizing weight distribution to resemble that of a Porsche 911.

The vehicle is equipped with a 60 kWh ternary lithium battery, leading to light weight, lower energy consumption and a driving range of 520 km, reducing the hassle of frequent recharging.

The SC01’s steel tube chassis reflects thoughtful consideration in both material selection and design. This makes the SC01 the lightest electric sports car, while also providing commendable performance in terms of power, handling, and range.