Rimac Concept One
The 2016 Geneva Motor Show featured its customary check off list of the big manufacturer’s spectacular array of handmade supercars. The star of the show was the Bugatti Chiron, check. How about the Lamborghini Centenario? Check. The Porsche 911 R, Aston Martin DB11, Ferrari GTC4Lusso, Maserati Levante and Touring Superleggera’s Alfa 8C-based Disco Volante Spyder. Check, check, check, check and check.
What about the Rimac Concept One? Hold that check for a moment.
More and more over recent years, an array of concept and production cars are not emanating just from their traditional strongholds in Western Europe. Back in 2009 Mate Rimac founded his Rimac Automobili in his garage in Zagreb, Croatia. His lofty objective was to start “with a blank sheet of paper” and build an electric supercar.
Rimac saw no obstacle as being too large. Since electrical systems for ultra-high-performance electric cars were not accessible on the market, Mate had his small staff of engineers develop the parts in-house. The results were the creation of the components he deemed necessary to build his car. Amazingly enough, the development of those parts resulted in 24 new patents!
The result of Rimac’s efforts was the showing of his Rimac Concept One in Geneva. Originally unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show as a concept capable of reaching 62 mph in a blistering 2.8 seconds, the production version was in the spotlight in Switzerland.
The $980,000 two seat Rimac Concept One features four electric motors, one for each wheel, that produce a combined 1,088 horsepower and 2,800 pound-feet of torque with a top speed estimated at 190 mph. Power for the Concept One comes from a 92-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack.
While you may feel that these specs are pretty extraordinary for an electric car, ponder this. The Concept S can hit 62 mph in 2.5 seconds, 124 mph in 5.6 seconds and 186 mph in 13.1 seconds. Yes, it’s quicker attaining top speed than both the Koenigsegg Regera and the Bugatti Chiron.
Rimac Automobili is producing a limited quantity of the Concept One. Just eight are being built as initial orders are already being shipped to their new owners.
There was a lot going on at the Rimac Automobili both in Geneva. In addition to the display of a finished Concept One engineers were putting the final touches on two more for show goers to observe. And did I mention that also on display was the prototype Concept S, an electric car Rimac said will be even faster than the Concept One!
Rimac Concept One…….CHECK!
