The Chinese Electric Roadster That's Actually... Interesting?
Image Credit: JMEV.
Here's a really interesting mashup: a Chinese startup, a bit of Tesla Roadster, a dash of Lancia Stratos, and a whole lot of "wait, what?" That's essentially the JMEV01 for you. This fairly unfamiliar EV startup from China, called JMEV, decided to take the electric car world by storm, not with some bloated, tech-laden monstrosity, but with something that actually looks like it might be fun to drive. And at a starting price of around $41,300, it's not going to break the bank.
So, is it yet another bloated Chinese EV? Not really - this one's quite a bit different. They've managed to keep the weight down to just over 3,000 pounds. That's lighter than your average American's breakfast, and significantly lighter than the MG Cyberster, which feels like it's made of solid lead. JMEV did this using a tubular spaceframe chassis, and boy - does it work.
Image Credit: JMEV.
The performance is not half bad. Two electric motors deliver 429 horsepower, which is enough to get you from 0 to 60 mph in a spritely 3.9 seconds. And with a claimed range of 323 miles, you might even be able to get to the coffee shop and back without needing a charge.
All these things pale in comparison to the looks of the JMEV01. It's a bit of a retro throwback, with sharp headlights, a big grille, and a rear end that screams "Lancia Stratos." It seems JMEV just took all the best bits of classic sports cars and mashed them together into something that actually looks good. In a world where most EVs look like they were designed by a committee of robots, this is a breath of fresh air.
Image Credit: JMEV.
Look, I'm not saying this retro-looking contraption is going to revolutionize the automotive world. But it's certainly piqued my interest. It's proof that not all EVs have to be boring, heavy, and overpriced. And if it can put a smile on my face, it's doing something right.
The JMEV01 is set to hit the Chinese market on April 15th, and I am seriously curious to see how it performs in the real world. Will it live up to the hype? Will it actually be fun to drive? While we all wait for the answers, I'm going to keep an eye on this little electric roadster. It's a refreshing change from the usual electric behemoths, and it's got a bit of personality, which is more than I can say for most modern cars.
Image Credit: JMEV.
