TOP GEAR

The wraps have been taken off the Dendrobium, Singapore’s first hypercar, which is capable of speeds in excess of 320 kilometres per hour.

Designed by electric mobility experts Vanda Electrics, the striking two-seater sports car concept incorporates an automatic roof and doors, which open in a synchronised manner, resembling a fully-opened dendrobium flower, a genus of orchid native to Singapore.

The tear drop shape that forms around the cockpit and ends in the tail – where the plug-in port is located, just behind a panel above the charging light – is a design feature that has remained a key part of Dendrobium from the initial sketches.

Other highlights of the vehicle’s exterior are its aerodynamic floor, rear double diffuser and front splitter.

To meet its target weight of 1750 kg, Dendrobium features a composite monocoque chassis, carbon fibre body panels, carbon ceramic brake discs and lightweight alloy calipers inside 51-cm front and 53.3-cm rear alloy wheels, wrapped in Michelin high-performance tyres.

Although strictly a concept vehicle, designers are targeting acceleration of 0-95 km/h in 2.7 seconds by utilising the latest lithium-ion battery and electric powertrain technology.