Automotive

Alpha JAX is the all-electric rally car of your safari fantasies

Alpha JAX is the all-electric rally car of your safari fantasies
With its cargo basket, auxiliary lights and bull bar, the Alpha JAX clearly has different intentions than its siblings
With its cargo basket, auxiliary lights and bull bar, the Alpha JAX clearly has different intentions than its siblings
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Alpha doesn't dive too deep with interior design, relying heavily on digital tech to bring the JAX interior to life
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Alpha doesn't dive too deep with interior design, relying heavily on digital tech to bring the JAX interior to life
With its cargo basket, auxiliary lights and bull bar, the Alpha JAX clearly has different intentions than its siblings
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With its cargo basket, auxiliary lights and bull bar, the Alpha JAX clearly has different intentions than its siblings
Alpha plans to power the JAX with a 75-kWh battery pack and available all-wheel drive
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Alpha plans to power the JAX with a 75-kWh battery pack and available all-wheel drive
Alpha extends and ruggedizes its ACE coupe into the JAX rally 2+2
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Alpha extends and ruggedizes its ACE coupe into the JAX rally 2+2
Alpha estimates a 250-mile range and
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Alpha estimates a 250-mile range and 6.5-second 0-60
Alpha plans to offer the JAX with a single motor (FWD) or dual motor (AWD)
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Alpha plans to offer the JAX with a single motor (FWD) or dual motor (AWD)
A look inside the JAX's frunk
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A look inside the JAX's frunk
Alpha gets ready to rally with the JAX (Junior All-terrain Crossover)
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Alpha gets ready to rally with the JAX (Junior All-terrain Crossover)
Alpha first revealed the ACE in December
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Alpha first revealed the ACE in December
View gallery - 9 images

Alpha Motor Corporation seems determined to make a name for itself in small, unique electric cars. After launching just last November, the company is already previewing its fourth planned electric vehicle, and like the others, the new JAX doesn't look anything like the electric sedans, crossovers and pickup trucks the big guys are floating out there. Instead, Alpha uses its creative startup energy to prepare a small, adventure-ready rally car with dual-motor all-wheel electric drive.

The world doesn't know Alpha Motor Corp too well just yet, but it's certainly learning that the California startup is a rather prolific press release and rendering maker. After announcing its launch and teasing its ICON EUV multi-purpose vehicle in November, it resurfaced in December to introduce the cute-as-a-button ACE coupe, and again in January to add an ACE Performance Edition. Here we are a month later, and another Alpha Motor vehicle – or an early look at what could turn into a vehicle, anyway.

We'll start to believe more in Alpha's plans when it puts together a working prototype or two, but so far the startup has managed to capture our imagination with distinctive little EVs that stray from the mainstream. Looking at the ACE versus the JAX, it seems like Alpha might have spent some time staring into the exaggerated fender flares of its coupe, leading to an epiphany that the next model would be a 4x4 rally car.

Alpha first revealed the ACE in December
Alpha first revealed the ACE in December

Alpha calls the JAX a crossover – in fact, JAX stands for "Junior All-terrain Crossover (Xover)" – but the car shares little in common with the chunky, hatchbacked AWD soft-roader that has come to define that category across the auto industry. Instead, the JAX is more of a crossover between an ACE electric coupe and an Extreme E rally car. It stretches 380 mm (15 in) longer than the ACE to accommodate two rear seats and a pair of suicide doors.

Like the ACE Performance Edition, the JAX will have an optional dual-motor four-wheel-drive system, along with a front-wheel drive. With a 250-mile (402 km) 75-kWh lithium-ion battery, the JAX promises a healthy, though certainly not boundless, ability to venture off the beaten track. It's dressed up with all-terrain accoutrements like a bull bar, auxiliary lights, rooftop cargo basket and Nitto Trail Grappler MT 255/75R17 tires. Luggage that doesn't get hoisted onto the roof can find a home inside the frunk.

Alpha gets ready to rally with the JAX (Junior All-terrain Crossover)
Alpha gets ready to rally with the JAX (Junior All-terrain Crossover)

The JAX cockpit has a minimalist layout with a digital instrument panel behind the steering wheel, a central widescreen infotainment screen ... and not much of anything else. Alpha does promise a premium sound system with Bluetooth connectivity.

Alpha doesn't plan to launch its first actual car until "as early as 2023," but that isn't stopping it from offering reservations for the "vehicle specifications subject to change" JAX right now. It estimates base pricing between $38,000 and $48,000.

The video below basically just spins the Redwood green JAX rendering around, but narration by a proper-sounding Australian gives it that extra touch of authority.

ALPHA JAX™ CUV WORLD PREMIERE (4K)

Source: Alpha

View gallery - 9 images
11 comments
11 comments
Fairly Reasoner
Would YOU go on safari riding a battery? I didn't think so.
Gizmowiz
So where does one find a charging station hundreds of miles out in the boonies?
ChairmanLMAO
Such a nice looking car! Too bad all the nice ones are so premium priced. Can't believe they are making the EV cars so appealing now!!
David V
No one's going on a safari in this car. But that's not really the point is it ? I think this is a fun looking car. True it's a bit like a 21st century Trabunt especially in this strange 50's colour scheme but I love the integrated roofrack and big wheels. While every electric car has gone the (obvious and boring) way of sleek wind tunnelled silhouettes thus all looking the same and usually only priced for the rich this stands out. Looks fun. 400km of autonomie. Sounds good.
paul314
It doesn't need a snorkel for air like am IC rally car, but I do wonder how deep under water all the electrics are certified for.
minivini
I loved the Ace when it was revealed. I love the Jax even more. Dual motor? Check. AWD? Check. Decent ground clearance? Check.

All you armchair critics who are using literal safari nonsense - stay in your ridiculous oversized suv barges. I’ll be out having fun on local trails and the occasional rallycross race.

Seriously, if this thing stays in the mid-$40k (or lower) range, and can actually pull off 250 miles with those tires, I will be one happy Jax driving camper. Literally.
riczero-b
In the UK we would call the " frunk " a " froot " .
clay
A few [dozen] solar panels and p00f, you're in business. Or a pedal-generator... or a portable hydro generator... or a gas/diesel genny.... etc.. :-) Lots of ways to get the trons in the tank. It just may take a *while* to refuel.

Indeed, from that perspective, it has more legs than a Series 1
Username
Finally a non four door sedan, non suv electric. I like the look of it. I guess they saved some money by getting their hands on some 80's upholstery.
Nelson Hyde Chick
You could go safari with this is you brought along a foldable solar array to lay out to collect sun to charge its battery. Go out, spend a few days out there while the array is recharging the battery, and then drive back.
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