Detroit Electric SP:01 EV: first image and shocking video

American EV company Detroit Electric has been developing an eagerly awaited first production model, the SP:01 electric sports car, since the brand was brought back from the dead six years ago.

But this new teaser video demonstrates a noticeable redesign from the Lotus Elise-based prototype we saw in April. Although appearing to draw inspiration from the (also Elise-based) Tesla Roadster, the electric-powered SP:01 is claimed to reach a top speed of 155mph- 30mph more than the Tesla.

The company has also finally released an undisguised image of the rear-end of the SP:01, showing significantly altered rear styling, and more than a faint resemblance to the Alfa Romeo 4C sports car. 

The electric-car brand, which originally formed in 1906 and was then wound-up just before World War 2, claims that the car is part of a bold new brand identity, as seen in the dramatic video:

The video shows fleeting images of what Detroit Electric claim is the 'production car', and it appears to have gone much further than an Elise lookalike. It looks wider from the front, with the curved LED lights making the outline reminiscent of the latest Chevrolet Corvette.

But it's the shots of the rear where you notice the biggest change: it's no longer a roadster. The pronounced curved metal roof looks very much like a mid-engined coupe, and the rear overhang looks longer than the squat Elise. More dramatic taillamps and a large rear spoiler complete the transformation.

Whether or not the production car has changed much from the concept underneath its skin we don't know. The SP:01 we first saw had a mid-mounted 201bhp electric motor powering the rear wheels, and a claimed battery range of nearly 190 miles. 

Weighing just over a ton, performance was similar to the Tesla, with a 0-60 time of 3.7 seconds. It was originally supposed to start from around £90,000, but we can't say whether that will increase.

We expect to see the finished Detroit Electric product at the Detroit Motor Show (where else?) in January next year.

What do you think of Detroit Electric's efforts? Will it still be too similar to the Tesla? Let us know in the comments section below...