The new electric hypercar maker Dendrobium Automotive recently made its public debut at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England.
Inspired by nature and rooted in technology, the D-1 fuses a respect for the environment with a design-driven approach to engineering, the car being developed in the UK with the support and expertise of the celebrated Formula 1 company Williams Advance Engineering.
With a target weight of 1,750kgs, the carbon fibre machine with its superlight and super strong advance composites and alloys will represent the true feel of a supercar, not too big and heavy.
The lightweight construction of the D-1 is based on a unique Protocell carbon tub which has been engineered with future adaptability for further generations of Dendrobium e-performance cars. In addition to its advanced vehicle technology, the D-1 has enormous drama and presence thanks to its unique Bio-Aerial Locomotion door and roof opening system, which is inspired by the Dendrobium orchid plant which unfurls naturally in a similar manner, from which the new company takes its name.
The interior is designed around the driver. Contrasting with the predominantly black carbon fibre interior, the red body-hugging drivers’ sports seat features stitching and motifs inspired by human muscle fibres.
The design team has had conceptual sketches of an electric hypercar on the drawing boards since the mid-1990s, a vision that was many years ahead of its time. As electric technology has advanced, Dendrobium has been able to revisit this vision and now, as the company launches its revolutionary global e-mobility strategy, the timing is finally right to take the wraps off a halo working prototype model, as displayed at Salon Privé.
Ahead of the first production examples of the D-1, a number of significant and exciting developments at Dendrobium Automotive will be announced, with full details to be confirmed over the coming months.
Commenting on the D-1, Chairman and CEO of Dendrobium Automotive, Nigel Gordon-Stewart said, “After an extensive career in the supercar industry, I can honestly say that Dendrobium Automotive is one of the most exciting and future-focused businesses I've ever been involved with. Using the very latest technology, we are developing what will be the most impressive all-electric hypercar. We are designing our own in-house all-electric power train and we plan to use our own power storage cells moving to solid state as and when the technology is reliable and financially viable.”
“We are developing unique cabling and connector systems as well as our own complete vehicle integration and ADAS hardware and software. From a technical perspective, the D-1 will be an engineering tour-de-force.”
