CES 2016 is not just about computers or mobile devices. Anything electronic has a place at this expo, and that undoubtedly includes electric cars. Faraday Future is a name that has been repeated frequently over the last few months, and all that enthusiasm is due to the FFZERO1, an electric supercar concept with 1,000 horsepower, designed on a modular platform that could give rise to dozens of different configurations.
The web is wondering if all the enthusiasm around Faraday Future was worth it after seeing the FFZERO1 concept at CES 2016. Many comments are positive, but there’s a significant share of detractors. One criticism that caught my attention was calling it a “Chinese Batmobile”. This is because a good part of the funding that Faraday Future received came from LeTV, a Netflix equivalent in that Asian country. If we study closely the appearance of the FFZERO1, well… let’s just say the old Lincoln Futura modified definitely comes to mind. But even that didn’t stop Faraday Future from being seen as the number one threat to Tesla, or the supposed “main ally” of Apple for a future entry into the complex electric car market.
The FFZERO1 by the Numbers
What is exactly known about the FFZERO1? It’s a single-seater with 1,000 horsepower, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in under three seconds, reaching a top speed of 320 km/h. The seat is set at a 45-degree angle following NASA recommendations, the cabin is made of transparent glass, and the interior is white. A smartphone is integrated into the steering wheel, and the system is compatible with autonomous driving “in the future”. There’s also a special helmet for the driver that transfers oxygen and water through a port at the back of the head. But the FFZERO1 has something else: Its official name is VPA, acronym for “Variable Platform Architecture”, and from a certain point of view, it’s more interesting than the concept itself.
The VPA Platform
Faraday Future proposes to design future electric cars with the help of its VPA platform, focusing on the centralization of batteries, and adjusting all peripheral elements according to the required configuration. This means VPA could be the base for an SUV, a compact car, a sedan, or anything else. From now on, Faraday Future will have to show much more. The FFZERO1 is barely a window that reveals the company’s dreams to the world, and many names have failed in the past pursuing similar goals. Despite the doubts, it would be great if they succeed.
For more information, visit the official site.
