Callum Skye Is Not Just a Pretty Face, But It's Pretty Darn Pretty
Image Credit: Callum.
It seems like just yesterday, I was knee-deep in mud testing some gas-guzzling monstrosity that thought it was an off-roader. Now, here I am, staring at the Callum Skye, an electric vehicle that's not just eco-conscious but also promises to be a proper mud-plugger. Honestly, this thing is turning more heads than a supermodel at a tractor pull.
Designed by the legendary Ian Callum, the man behind some of Jaguar's most iconic cars (not the latest pink mistake), the Skye is a far cry from the sleek sedans he's known for. This is a rugged, minimalist machine that looks like it's ready to tackle anything you throw at it. It's a cross between a dune buggy and a spaceship, with a dash of British sophistication thrown in for some flavor.
Image Credit: Callum.
But an electric off-roader? That'll last about five minutes before it needs a recharge, right? Not quite. The Skye promises a respectable 170-mile range, thanks to its 42kWh battery. Not bad for a car that weighs less than a Smart Fortwo. Oh yes, this thing tips the scales at a featherlight 2,535 lbs, making it one of the lightest EVs on the market.
Despite its feather-like weight, the Skye packs two electric motors delivering a combined 247 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. While that might seem lowly, it's enough to propel this little beast from 0 to 60 mph in under four seconds. When you are this light, you don't need much power at all.
Image Credit: Callum.
One of the things that sets the Skye apart from other EVs is its minimalist interior. No giant touch screens or complicated infotainment systems. The Skye keeps things simple, with a spine-like center console, leather straps instead of door pulls, and a small, centrally mounted touchscreen. It's all about function over form.
But don't worry, the Skye isn't all spartan simplicity. The interior is upholstered in luxurious white leather with contrasting orange accents, supplied by Scottish company Bridge of Weir. And if that's not enough to tickle your fancy, Callum plans to offer a more rugged interior option next year.
The Skye will come in two versions: one tailored for on-road dynamics and another for serious off-road shenanigans. The off-road version gets a higher ride height, up to 4 inches of suspension travel, and a pared-back interior that can handle a bit of mud.
As always, you can't expect all this performance to come cheap. The Skye will start at around $100,000, putting it in the same league as some seriously high-end sports cars. No, it won't be cheap, but it is shaping up to be a seriously impressive machine. It's got the looks, the performance, and the off-road capability to give some of the best in the business a good run for their money. And it's electric.
