Automotive

Electra Meccanica Tofino promises electric twist on the classic roadster

Electra Meccanica Tofino promises electric twist on the classic roadster
The Electra Meccanica Tofino
The Electra Meccanica Tofino
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The Electra Meccanica Tofino
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The Electra Meccanica Tofino
The Electra Meccanica Solo R
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The Electra Meccanica Solo R

Among the pack of small manufacturers looking to revolutionise the commuter car with oddball, three-wheeled electric creations, Electra Meccanica is looking likely to succeed. Having rolled out a working example of the Solo, the team has announced plans to back it up with a classically-styled electric roadster and a faster, more aggressive Solo R.

The Tesla Model S might be lightning quick in a straight line, but it isn't really a true sports car. Short of multi-million dollar supercars like the Rimac Concept_One (or failed attempts like the Tesla Roadster), no-one has managed to really nail the formula when it comes to outright battery-powered fun. Electra Meccanica is hoping the Tofino will change that.

Electra Meccanica is promising a top speed of 200 km/h (125 mph) and a car that handles the 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint in just seven seconds. Both the chassis and body panels are made of an unspecified "lightweight aerospace-grade composite" and, with a full charge, the car will cover 400 km (250 mi).

Those aren't earth-shattering numbers, but the Tofino is appealing in other ways. For one, the initial renders look fantastic, like a modern take on the iconic Porsche Speedster. With a retractable soft top and enough luggage space for "a weekend getaway or an adventurous cruise along the highways and backroads," we're envisioning an (expensive) electric take on the classic Mazda MX-5 formula.

The Electra Meccanica Tofino
The Electra Meccanica Tofino

Along with the Tofino, Electra Meccanica will be using the Vancouver Auto Show to display a faster, more aggressive take on the three-wheeled Solo. Unlike the cheap, economical Solo, the R runs with a set of sticky race tires and a higher-voltage battery for better performance. Once again, we're not expecting Tesla-toppling performance, but it's nice to see another electric vehicle manufacturer playing around with the huge potential on offer from batteries.

Pricing hasn't been announced for the Solo R, which may end up getting built, but we do know the Tofino will cost around CAD$50,000 (US$37,400) when it lands. If you're keen, the company will be accepting deposits of CAD$1,000 at the Vancouver Auto Show or through its website.

The Electra Meccanica Solo R
The Electra Meccanica Solo R

There's never any guarantee these small startups will be able to deliver on their promises, but Electra Meccanica has successfully brought the Solo to market – albeit a year behind schedule. At the moment there's no reason to assume the Tofino won't be the same, although building an expensive sports car is a different game to building three-wheeled commuters.

Source: Electra Meccanica via Marketwired

7 comments
7 comments
LordInsidious
The electric sports car market is wide open. Some company will make a lot of money off of it, I'm just not sure why any company hasn't tried since the Tesla Roadster, hopefully when Tesla re-releases it there will be competition.
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is both cool and green. I hope it isn't too expensive.
Nelson Hyde Chick
In America the top selling vehicle is the Ford F-150 truck. We need an inexpensive electric truck before we need another electric sports car.
LarryWolf
If BMW electrifies the Mini line as promised I would prefer an AWD Mini Cooper Convertible 4 seater over this.
Daishi
They may have "brought the Solo to market" in that the are taking pre-orders but they have not yet shipped them to consumers. There is so much vapoware in that segment that I don't want to call the Solo a success until they are delivered and people are driving them. A lot of things could still go wrong an lots of companies before them never made it past pre-orders. But going with a small sports car (and not a truck) seems like a logical next step for them in progression. EV's have to be very aerodynamic or you pay for it in buying huge batteries to make up for it. It doesn't currently really make sense for anyone to make an EV pickup truck but that day will come. Just because the F-150 sells in large volume doesn't mean trucks are more popular than cars. There are just more cars to choose from so it's less dominated by 2 or 3 models like trucks. Ford alone has like 7 cars, 6 SUVs, and just 2 trucks.
Stephen N Russell
Looks like Mazda Miata sport coupe, very dainty looking
Bernd Kohler
Again a nice electric car. When you give up technical data at all, speed is almost foremost. Electric or petrol does not matter. Why are you doing this? There are, besides parts of German highways, in any other country speed limits. I live in France, another 2 points and my driver's license is gone for the lifetime. The speed limit on the highway in France is 130km/h. Norway has a speed limit of 80 km/h. In the US the speed limits on the highways are between 60 and 80 miles/h which translates to 128km/h. So the whole hype about speed from your side is a nonsense. By the way, it would be very nice of you when you would comment to this comment!