UK-based startup Apex Motors has unveiled the ‘AP-0’ all-electric supercar concept in London. If all goes as planned, the company expects to start the production in Q4 2022 with prices starting from £150,000 (plus local taxes).
The design, led by UK designer Guy Colborne, is inspired by a dragon, which apparently is a symbol of good fortune. The aerodynamic fin inspired by F1 and Le Mans styling, integrates an advanced LiDAR camera, suggesting autonomous driving capability. Naturally, the traditional wing mirrors are replaced with cameras.
Built around a carbon fibre tub with modular spaceframes, the AP-0 measures 4,380 mm in length, 2,017 mm in width and 1,224 mm in height (including the LiDAR fin). It has a wheelbase of 2,650 mm. The wheels are made of carbon fibre too, measuring 19-inches at the front and 20-inches at the rear.
Braking duties are handled by 360 mm x 32 mm carbon-ceramic discs with 6 piston calipers at the front and 340 mm x 30 mm discs with 4 piston calipers at the rear.
Inside, there are bucket seats that sit low in the carbon fibre tub with race-derived feet-up driving position. The steering wheel is a combination of machined aluminium and carbon fibre, trimmed with perforated leather.
The ADAS systems include Automatic Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist as well as connected navigation to avoid traffic jams. Apex says that the systems (software, radar, sensors) are futureproofed to achieve Level 4 autonomy.
Apex says that the AP-0 is rear-wheel drive car with an output of 484 kW (658 hp) and a maximum torque of 580 Nm (428 lb-ft), drawing juice from a 90 kWh floor-mounted battery pack that weighs 550 kg (1,212 lbs). With a kerb weight of 1,200 kg (2,645 lbs), the AP-0 is claimed to achieve a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) acceleration in 2.3 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph (306 km/h).
The range is claimed to be up to 320 miles or 515 km (WLTP). The vehicle can be charged up to 80% in under 15 mins using a CCS charger, while the estimated charging time using a Type 2 connector is 8 hours.
The AP-0 is equipped with a push rod suspension system – the preferred suspension of most F1 teams. It features automatic ride height adjustment, employing adjustable coil over shock springs and dampers.
Apex Motors claims to have a manufacturing facility in the UK and can ship to its customers worldwide. The company is already accepting deposits for the AP-0.
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