SC-01 electric sports car from a Xiaomi-backed startup became a part of the Chinese JMEV brand to obtain a sales license. The car’s official name was changed to JMEV 01, according to the Chinese regulator’s listing. This vehicle boasts a price tag of 300,000 yuan (40,920 USD).
– Advertisement –
The JMEV 01 was developed by a Tianjin Gongjianpai Auto Technology car tuning startup founded in 2016. Its founder Feng Xiaotong has been running a YouTube channel called China Car Custom since 2018. According to previous information, Xiaomi Group invested tens of millions of yuan in Tianjin Gongpai Auto Technology. Moreover, Liu Dezheng, Xiaomi co-founder, serves as one of the directors of this company.
In September 2022, Feng Xiaotong officially released the electric roadster SC-01. This vehicle was originally set to launch in 2024 with a price tag of around 300,000 yuan (40,920 USD). In 2023, it revealed specs. In January 2024, the SC-01 reportedly entered production. However, the project went silent afterward. A year ago, it appeared that the SC-01 became part of the JMEV brand, which was a joint project of JMC and Renault.
– Advertisement –
SC-01 became JMEV 01
As mentioned, the SC-01 became a part of the JMEV brand. It was created by Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC) in 2015. French Renault acquired 50% of JMEV by investing 1 billion yuan into this project in 2019. However, JMEV-made products didn’t sell well in China or Europe. So, all four directors representing Renault Group have left the board of this JV in 2023, according to Caixin.
JMEV still operates a manufacturing plant in Nanchang, Jiangxi province, with a production volume of 100,000 cars annually. However, its domestic sales were below 30,000 units in 2024. This automaker is clearly interested in the utilization of production capacities. So, it became a contract manufacturer of the SC-01 electric roadster.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology listing, the SC-01 became part of the JMEV brand and was officially named JMEV 01.
– Advertisement –
More about JMEV 01
The exterior design of the JMEV 01 aligns with the previously released SC-01. It is a two-door roadster with sharp headlights, circular taillights, and slated C-pillars. Dimensions of the JMEV 01 are 4106/1830/1170 mm with a wheelbase of 2503 mm. Its front and rear tracks are equal to 1580 mm. Its approach and departure angles are 10 and 16 degrees, respectively. The 01 rides on 245/40 ZR18 wheels.
The JMEV 01 is surprisingly light for an electric car. Its curb weight is 1,365 kg, 25 kg heavier than the Porsche Cayman 987. According to previous information, the JMEV 01 adopts the chromium-molybdenum steel tube frame body with a mid-mounted battery. The car’s gross weight reaches 1,615 kg.
The powertrain of this electric roadster adopts two synchronous permanent magnet TZ200XSWMA motors on both front and rear axles. They are manufactured by Enpower, a supplier of Geely, SAIC, Great Wall Motor, Chery, Changan, Dongfeng, JAC, and Xpeng. Each e-motor has a peak power output of 160 kW (214 hp). The combined power output of the system is 320 kW (429 hp). A ternary NMC battery from CALB powers those e-motors. Its capacity has yet to be revealed. The top speed of the JMEV 01 is 200 km/h.
In December 2024, Tianjin Gongjianpai Auto Technology founder Feng Xiaotong apologized to his followers on Weibo social media that the electric roadster hadn’t been launched yet. According to him, the project faced many twists and turns. As the SC-01 has finally applied for a sales license under the JMEV 01 name, it seems it is finally ready to enter the market.
