Rimac Concept One
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| Rimac Concept One | |
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| Name | Rimac Concept One |
| Manufacturer | Rimac Automobili |
| Production | 2011–2013 (8 units) |
| Class | Electric sports car |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | Four-wheel drive (individual motors) |
| Motor | Four electric motors |
| Power output | 913 kW (1,224 PS) |
| Transmission | Single-speed per motor |
| Battery | 82 kWh lithium manganese nickel |
| Range | ~330 km (NEDC) |
| Designer | Mate Rimac |
Rimac Concept One The Rimac Concept One is a limited-production electric sports car developed by Rimac Automobili and unveiled in concept form in 2011 with production following in 2013. Conceived and led by founder Mate Rimac, the vehicle combined high-voltage battery systems, bespoke electric drivetrains, and lightweight carbon fiber construction to target supercar performance benchmarks set by makers such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, and Porsche. Its engineering drew attention from automotive suppliers and manufacturers including Bosch, Magneti Marelli, ZF Friedrichshafen, and Continental.
Development and Design
Development began after Mate Rimac converted a BMW E30 into an electric vehicle and founded his company in Zagreb, Croatia, attracting early interest from regional institutions like the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts and investors such as Krešimir Zubak-backers. The Concept One program integrated expertise from teams who had worked with Koenigsegg, Aston Martin, Pininfarina, and Designworks to create a monocoque and subframe architecture using materials sourced from suppliers like SGL Carbon and Alcantara S.p.A. interiors. Aerodynamic work was influenced by consultants with histories at Sauber Motorsport and Dallara Automobili, employing active aero elements similar to developments seen at Red Bull Racing and Mercedes-AMG Petronas.
The vehicle featured electronic control systems developed in collaboration with Mahle, Renesas, and software partners who had previously supplied systems to Tesla, Inc. and Nissan, leveraging expertise in battery management from firms associated with Panasonic Corporation, LG Energy Solution, and research centers linked to Imperial College London and ETH Zurich.
Technical Specifications
Powertrain architecture used four independent permanent magnet synchronous motors with individual inverters; control electronics referenced technologies from Infineon and STMicroelectronics. The battery pack chemistry was advanced lithium manganese nickel cells engineered with thermal management solutions influenced by projects at MIT, Fraunhofer Society, and Delft University of Technology. Suspension geometry took cues from double-wishbone designs used by Lotus Cars and McLaren Automotive, while braking systems incorporated carbon-ceramic rotors supplied by firms with heritage at Brembo.
Chassis and bodywork were fabricated using carbon fiber techniques refined in motorsport programs at Formula One teams such as Scuderia Ferrari and McLaren Racing. Electronics included traction control and torque vectoring algorithms comparable to systems employed by Audi Sport GmbH and BMW M. Interior appointments referenced bespoke craftsmanship seen at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Bentley Motors, with instrumentation influenced by collaborations involving Harman International and Alpine Electronics.
Performance and Records
Rated power output allowed sub-3.0 second 0–100 km/h acceleration figures, placing it in contention with models from Bugatti, Koenigsegg, and Pagani. Top speed metrics and acceleration were validated in independent tests conducted by publications and organizations with pedigrees like Top Gear, Autocar, and EVO (magazine), drawing comparisons to the McLaren P1, Ferrari LaFerrari, and Porsche 918 Spyder. The Concept One was reported to have set acceleration records for electric vehicles at venues associated with Nürburgring, Goodwood Festival of Speed, and private timing runs organized by FIA-accredited timing partners.
Telemetry and drivetrain durability regimes incorporated best practices from endurance programs such as 24 Hours of Le Mans and engineering validation methods used by Sauber Engineering and Ducati Motor Holding.
Production and Variants
Production was limited to eight customer cars produced between 2011 and 2013, with bespoke options and coachbuilt commissions coordinated through specialist firms like Mansory, Zagato, and Italdesign Giugiaro. Components and systems were sourced via partnerships with OEM suppliers including Denso Corporation, Valeo, Magneti Marelli (now Marelli), and Johnson Controls seat systems. Several chassis were delivered to private collectors associated with automotive collector networks and museums such as LeMay - America’s Car Museum, Petersen Automotive Museum, and private collections similar to those of Jay Leno and The Sultan of Brunei-level holdings.
Rimac’s production ethos and limited-run model strategy paralleled boutique manufacturers like Lotus, Spyker, Tauranac Racing-era firms, and coachbuilders historically linked to Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera.
Reception and Impact
Critical reception from automotive media outlets—Top Gear, Autocar, Motor Trend, Road & Track, and Car and Driver—praised its engineering, torque delivery, and packaging while noting bespoke challenges familiar to startups such as DeLorean Motor Company and Tesla Roadster. The Concept One helped propel Rimac into technical partnerships and supplier relationships with Hyundai Motor Group, Porsche, and SEAT-linked projects, influencing developments in electric hypercars and contributing expertise later used in collaborations with Bugatti Rimac and Koenigsegg.
Its demonstration of high-performance electric propulsion influenced research agendas at institutions like Stanford University, University of Michigan, and RWTH Aachen University, and informed regulatory discussions at bodies including European Commission transport initiatives and standards groups related to electric vehicle safety and battery recycling managed by UNECE-affiliated committees.
Legal Issues and Incidents
High-performance testing and road incidents involving prototype vehicles prompted scrutiny from legal entities such as local police departments and insurers like AXA, Allianz, and State Farm. Investigations into crashes or fires in electric vehicles have historically involved forensic groups and compliance audits by organizations with roles similar to NHTSA and Euro NCAP. Intellectual property and supplier disputes in boutique automotive projects often involve arbitration forums used by automotive suppliers and manufacturers, with precedents from cases involving Ford Motor Company suppliers and General Motors litigation.
Several incidents related to customer cars required coordination with warranty administrators, repair facilities, and local regulators to address safety recalls or remediation actions comparable to processes executed by Tesla, Inc. and Nissan Motor Corporation following high-voltage battery incidents.
Category:Electric sports cars