Japan's Lightning Bolt: Aspark SP600 Obliterates Electric Car Speed Record with Blazing 272.6 MPH
In a world where the pursuit of speed often feels like a relentless gladiator match, it's no surprise that yet another contender has seized the throne. Enter Japan's Aspark, a name that might not have rung bells universally until now, but is destined to be etched into the annals of automotive history. The Aspark SP600 has just accomplished a feat that makes even the most seasoned petrolheads sit up in their seats: smashing the electric vehicle speed record previously held by the Rimac Nevera.
On June 8, 2024, the Aspark SP600 rocketed to a mind-bending 272.6 mph (438.7 km/h), verified by the sophisticated onboard Racelogic V-Box system. This blistering speed outpaces the previous record by 16.6 mph set by the Nevera, marking a monumental shift in the electric hypercar landscape.
Pushing Boundaries at the ATP Proving Ground
Manufactured under the discerning eye of Italy's Manifattura Automobili Torino, the Aspark SP600 was not an overnight miracle but a finely tuned beast. The car achieved its groundbreaking speed at the ATP proving ground in Papenburg, Germany—a hallowed venue for high-speed runs and the same track where the Nevera set its now-defeated record in 2022. It seems the 2.4-mile straights of ATP are the new canvas for painting speed masterpieces.
Under the helm of seasoned German racing driver Marc Basseng, the SP600 made multiple heart-pounding runs of 261.4 mph and 267.1 mph even before its record-shattering performance. For Basseng, this endeavor was just another chapter in an illustrious racing career that includes a Nürburgring lap record and a 24-hour race victory on his CV.
Craftsmanship Beyond Speed
While the heart-thumping speed of the SP600 makes headlines, the car itself is an engineering marvel. Built as a production-intent prototype, it features bespoke Bridgestone Potenza Race tires and went through rigorous testing, both virtually and physically, in Torino, Italy. The attention to aerodynamics involved exhaustive wind tunnel optimizations, ensuring that the SP600 was not just quick, but also dynamically adept.
Manifattura Automobili Torino (M.A.T.), the brains behind this marvel, holds an impressive portfolio that includes the Apollo Intensa Emozione (IE) and Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus' SCG003C and SCG003S. Their collaboration with Aspark has once again delivered spectacular results, reminiscent of their previous work on the Aspark Owl—a vehicle touted with a 257 mph top speed. However, the SP600 surpasses that by a considerable 15.6 mph.
Setting the Benchmark Higher
When compared to some of the titans of the fossil-fuelled world, the SP600 still stands tall. Despite being swifter than the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, which taps out at 267.8 mph, it’s yet to catch up with the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport’s 304.7 mph record. Intriguingly, the electric champion may soon have another challenger: Koenigsegg’s Jesko Absolut, which is poised to shoot for a staggering 330 mph later this year.
This record-setting feat answers any lingering questions about the viability and capability of electric hypercars. The Aspark SP600 shows the world that burning rubber is no longer a domain exclusive to gasoline-guzzling giants. Instead, the future vibrates with the exciting hum of electric power, setting the stage for an era where battery prowess might just eclipse combustion bravado.