This Lightweight Electric Roadster Is Going on Sale in Europe With No Screens and 429 HP

This EV Roadster Targets Hardcore Drivers

As electric vehicles become increasingly defined by large touchscreens, advanced driver aids, and software-led experiences, the SC01 is taking a very different approach. The 429hp Chinese electric roadster has been confirmed for Europe in a limited run of 1,000 units, and it arrives with a clear focus on driving rather than digital features.

That approach places the SC01 at odds with long-held views from some of the industry’s most influential figures. Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda has previously questioned the idea of electric sports cars, stating: “But for me, as the master driver, my definition of a sports car is something with the smell of gasoline and a noisy engine.” The SC01’s creators appear intent on challenging that view by prioritising lightweight engineering and driver involvement rather than attempting to replicate the sensory traits of combustion performance cars.

Lightweight Engineering Sets the SC01 Apart

The SC01’s defining technical feature is its low curb weight of 1,365kg, a figure that undercuts most electric vehicles currently on sale in Europe. It is lighter than the Porsche Cayman GTS and significantly lighter than electric rivals such as the MG Cyberster, whose size and comfort-focused design result in far greater mass.

Power comes from two electric motors, one mounted on each axle, producing a combined 320 kW or 429 horsepower. This allows for a claimed 0–62mph time of 2.9 seconds. A 60kWh battery is positioned centrally within a tube-frame chassis, contributing to a low centre of gravity and balanced weight distribution. Double wishbone suspension, racing dampers, and lightweight alloy and magnesium wheels further emphasise the SC01’s focus on handling and response rather than technology-led differentiation.

Even the Skeptics Are Starting to Shift

The SC01’s arrival in Europe comes as attitudes toward electric performance cars continue to evolve. Akio Toyoda himself appears to have softened his earlier stance with the introduction of Toyota’s all-electric LFA Concept, a move that suggests electrification and emotional driving appeal are no longer seen as mutually exclusive.

That shift is not limited to Toyota. Porsche is also openly developing a fully electric model for its core sports cars, with an electric 718 Boxster and Cayman currently under development. Against that backdrop, the SC01 positions itself as an early and focused attempt to redefine what an electric sports car can be. According to CarNewsChina the SC01 might be priced north of $70,000. With just 1,000 units planned for Europe and assembly set to take place in Italy, it aims to prove that engagement, simplicity, and driver involvement can still exist in an electric era.