Singapore-designed supercar opens up like an orchid
Singapore: It might be the Formula One weekend in Singapore, but beyond the race track, a Singapore-designed supercar has stolen some of the limelight with its homecoming.
The Dendrobium, a fully electric supercar which its designers and engineers say will reach a top speed of more than 320kph and go from zero to 96.5kph in 2.7 seconds, was unveiled at the VinCar showroom here earlier this week.
The machine, which has doors and a rooftop that dramatically unfurl upwards and backwards in sync like an orchid in bloom, and a teardrop-shaped body, made its debut in March at the Geneva International Car Show.
VinCar, a multi-label automobile dealers, is the official dealer for the Dendrobium in Asean. Those interested to view and buy the made-to- order car can make an appointment.
The two-seater car, which has a chassis of lightweight carbon fibre, is a zero-emission ride and boasts leather interiors made at Bridge of Weir, a Scottish tanning company known for its low carbon footprint.
Singapore-based Vanda Electrics, which conceptualised and designed the prototype, says another selling point is that the Dendrobium is extremely bespoke.
The colour, finish and materials of the interiors can all be customised. Even the car’s exterior and features such as grilles and fenders can be tweaked to a customer’s liking.
Back in 2016, Vanda Electrics took its initial sketches and 3D concept models to Williams Advanced Engineering, the technology division of the Williams Formula One team, which then engineered and built the car in Britain. The car is currently in the prototype stage, with projected performance figures based on preliminary studies.
When the car made its Geneva debut, Vanda Electrics had no serious intention of producing it – the first it has built – for the road.
Vanda Electrics, which pumped in S$7mil (RM21.7mil) with the help of angel investors to make the prototype, was encouraged to put it up for sale after positive response at the motor show.
The Dendrobium comes with an eye-watering price tag that is expected to start at US$2.5mil (RM12.5mil).
Buyers need to have not only deep pockets, but also lots of patience – the Dendrobium is slated to be ready only by 2020, if things go as planned.