Croatian firm Rimac first presented the Concept_One at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. Even back then the company, which at the time few knew about, was confident that its electric supercar would enter production, complete with a promised four-motor, 1,088-horsepower output and 82-kilowatt-hour battery.
At the 2016 Geneva Motor Show last week, we were finally treated with the reveal of the production version, which we’re glad to report looks virtually identical to the original concept from five years ago while also matching all the juicy specs. Rimac has previously stated that the price for the Concept_One starts at $980,000. That might seem steep but we’re talking about the fastest electric car money can buy.
According to Rimac, the Concept_One will hit 62 mph from rest in 2.6 seconds, pass 124 mph in 6.2 seconds, pass 186 mph in 14.2 seconds and eventually top out at approximately 220 mph. Key to the Concept_One’s proficiency in putting down the power is an advanced torque vectoring system.
Rimac Concept_One, 2016 Geneva Motor Show
Called Rimac All Wheel Torque Vectoring (R-AWTV), this system precisely calculates the optimum torque—hundreds of times per second—for each wheel and controls the electric motors to suit. R-AWTV uses inputs from several precise sensors strategically positioned around the chassis and suspension to calculate the optimal torque.
Another ace of the Concept_One is its battery’s ability to deliver more than 1,341 hp at full load. Rimac doesn’t mention how long charge times are but does state the Concept_One is capable of DC fast charging.
Now that the Concept_One is in production you’d think Rimac would slow down and simply focus on building more of the cars. But that isn’t the case at all as the Croatian firm also used the Geneva show to roll out an even more extreme version of the Concept_One aimed at track enthusiasts.
Rimac Concept_S, 2016 Geneva Motor Show
Called the Concept_S and described as the “evil twin” of the Concept_One, this more extreme version produces a claimed 1,365 hp. And in addition to being more powerful, Rimac claims the Concept_S is also about 110 pounds lighter than the 4,000-lb Concept_One. This is thanks to a new process for making is carbon fiber body, plus and the deletion of some interior goodies.
Understandably, the performance numbers are claimed to be better. For the Concept_S, Rimac quotes a 0-62 mph time of 2.5 seconds, a 0-124 mph time of 5.6 seconds, a 0-186 mph time of 13.1 seconds and a top speed of close to 227 mph.
For more from the Geneva Motor Show.
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