A little-known Japanese hypercar company has set a new world record for fastest EV, its Aspark SP600 topping 270 mph during a run down a special track in Germany. It handily topped the prior record set by the Rimac Nevera.
The Aspark SP600 makes its run for the record.
Aspark Co., Ltd. Is not a name likely to come to mind when you talk about automobiles. The Japanese firm was founded 19 years ago by Japanese businessman Masanori Yoshida and focused on the technical, medical and chemical fields. Barely a decade, Yoshida decided to add battery-electric vehicles to that list.
Not any EV. He decided to focus on hypercars, starting out with the all-electric Aspark Owl. First shown in prototype form at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, it went on to set several records, including fastest 0-60 launch for a production vehicle.
Now, Aspark is weighing in again with the new SP600 – an upgrade of the Owl – and it’s pulled off an even more impressive feat, toppling the Croatian-made Rimac Nevera as the world’s fastest EV with a record-breaking run of 272.59 miles per hour.
King-of-the-Hill
The Rimac Nevera was the previous EV top speed record holder.
The SP600 achieved victory during testing at Automotive Testing Papenburg, a German track that is one of the few places on the planet that can handle such exotic products traveling at speeds matching some of the world’s fastest bullet trains.
The Aspark hypercar was piloted by Marc Basseng, a race driver best known for claiming the 2012 FIA GT1 World Championship. During a series of runs at Papenburg, the SP600 repeatedly topped 261 mph – which would have just toppled the prior EV record holder, a Nevera that hit a top speed of 258 mph back in 2022.
In its final run on June 8, however, the Aspark hypercar made it clear it has a firm grip on its new title – at 272.59 mph, beating the prior champ by an astounding 14 mph.
What it took
The Aspark crew preps the SP600 for its record run.
Like the original Owl, the SP600 features a carbon fibre body wrapped around a carbon fibre monocoque chassis weighing in around 265 pounds. A stainless steel structure, designed to further enhance the vehicle’s rigidity, is built into its roof.
The entire package went through extensive testing in the wind tunnel to minimize drag. And, while the plan is to put the SP600 in production, the model used for the record chase had some enhancements meant to improve its aerodynamics, starting with the elimination of sideview mirrors.
There’s an electronically controlled hydraulic damping system and a double-wishbone suspension. It also features customized carbon-ceramic brakes.
Bridgestone, meanwhile, was tapped to come up with tires capable of handling speeds expected to reach more than 270 mph. The final package was a customized version of the Japanese firm’s Potenza Race tires.
More Performance EV News
- First Look: All-Electric Dodge Charger Daytona
- Cadillac Still Wants to Build a Hypercar
- First Drive: Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally
Taking a “Leap into the future”
The Aspark SP600 development team and driver Marc Basseng.
Making it all come together, of course, was the battery-powered drivetrain used by Aspark, taking advantage of the fact that electric motors make effectively 100% of their torque the moment they start spinning.
Specific powertrain details have yet to be released but Aspark previously revealed that the original Owl delivered 1,985 horsepower.
“It has been about 10 years since we started making the Owl Hypercar,” Aspark CEO Masanori Yoshida said in a statement. “We aimed for the world’s fastest acceleration car, and then attempted and achieved the top speed world record today. This technical capability inspires all involved to personal excellence and to challenge and grow in leaps and bounds into the future.”
Production plans
For now, the Aspark SP600 is just a prototype.
For now, at least, the SP600 is just a prototype. Aspark’s only production offering is the original Owl, of which 50 copies have been built, and all have now been sold at a price of around $3 million apiece.
The company has signaled – but not yet confirmed – plans to produce the SP600, as well. And the price tag is likely to push even higher.
Like the Owl, the new hypercar would be assembled by Italy’s Manifattura Automobili Torino, or MAT, which partnered on the SP600’s development.
0 Comments