Electric Glory: How the Aspark Owl SP600 Left Its Rivals in the Dust with a Record-Shattering 272 MPH Speed Run
Brace yourselves, hypercar enthusiasts, because Aspark has set the automotive world ablaze once again. The Japanese automaker is back with a spectacular upgrade to its renowned Owl electric hypercar. Say hello to the Owl SP600 – a name that electric vehicle aficionados will soon be chanting.
In a jaw-dropping test, the Owl SP600 prototype reached a blistering top speed of 438.7 kph (roughly 272.6 mph). Captured precisely by the onboard Racelogic V-Box, this feat puts Aspark on the brink of rewriting history books. If the production version carries this top speed, it will snatch the title of the world's fastest production electric vehicle (EV), a record currently held by the Rimac Nevera, which topped out at 256 mph in 2022.
Comparatively, the Owl SP600's electrifying performance even echoes the achievements of traditional gas-guzzlers. For context, the fastest gas-powered car, the SSC Tuatara, set a benchmark of 282.9 mph in 2021. Meanwhile, the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300++, which isn't bound by typical production restrictions, hit an astronomical 304.7 mph in 2019. However, the production variant of this Bugatti is speed-limited for safety concerns.
The Owl SP600's record-breaking run took place on June 8 at the renowned Automotive Testing Papenburg site in Germany, an unmissable pilgrimage for speed enthusiasts. The testing grounds offer perfect conditions – a 7.6-mile loop featuring two extensive 2.5-mile straights, a venue previously graced by the Rimac Nevera for its record run. This time, seasoned racing driver Marc Basseng was in charge of the Aspark beast.
Despite the buzz, Aspark remains tight-lipped on the exact specifics of the Owl SP600. What is known is that a tailor-made Bridgestone tire allows the car to hit such incredible speeds. Additionally, it's assumed that the new version packs more punch than the original Owl's already impressive 1,984 hp. Speculations also swirl around potential weight-saving modifications.
The original Owl boasts a mind-boggling 0-60 mph time of 1.69 seconds with a foot of rollout – a curious point that leaves aficionados wondering if the SP600 can shatter this record as well.
Similar to its predecessor, the Owl SP600 is being meticulously crafted in collaboration with Manifattura Automobili Torino (MAT), an Italian outfit celebrated for its hypercar expertise. MAT made waves with models like the Glickenhaus 003 and the Apollo Intensa Emozione. True to the ethos of its predecessors, the Owl SP600 is designed for connoisseurs, not mass production, maintaining an air of exclusivity.
As the world holds its breath, one question lingers in the air – when will the Owl SP600 officially launch? Until Aspark spills the beans, all we can do is admire this electric masterpiece and anticipate the shockwaves it will send through the automotive landscape.