Singapore’s first hypercar benefits from Formula 1 technology; it will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show.
18 Jan 2017 | 4143 Views | By Sam Sheehan, Autocar UK
This is the Dendrobium, a new all-electric hypercar developed by Singapore electric mobility company Vanda Electronics and Williams Advanced Engineering.
The two-seater, which is the first hypercar to come out of Singapore, features advanced drivetrain and aerodynamic technology that benefits from Williams’ experience in Formula 1.
No technical details have ...
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This is the Dendrobium, a new all-electric hypercar developed by Singapore electric mobility company Vanda Electronics and Williams Advanced Engineering.
The two-seater, which is the first hypercar to come out of Singapore, features advanced drivetrain and aerodynamic technology that benefits from Williams’ experience in Formula 1.
No technical details have been released, but the car is described as using electric drivetrains, suggesting a multi-motor setup has been employed that makes use of technology from Williams’ hybrid F1 drivetrains.
The car’s exterior has been designed with a focus on downforce and aerodynamic performance, and the first two images reveal how extreme the resulting shape is. At the front, the car’s nose features large openings to work the air, while at the back, a large, fixed rear wing extends across the body’s full width. The teardrop-shaped roof is reminiscent of those used by prototype racers, as is the large diffuser that pokes out of the back.
F1-derived composite technology has been used to create the car’s structure. While no details have been released as of yet, the images show exposed carbonfibre, suggesting Williams has produced the monocoque in a similar style to its F1 racing tubs.
The car gets its name thanks to its doors, which open automatically in a similar way to a Dendrobium flower, a native orchid species of Singapore. The use of automatic doors means no handles are needed, which helps to further improve the exterior’s aerodynamic performance.
Inside, the Dendrobium features leather upholstery that’s been provided by Scotland’s Bridge of Weir Leather Company. The material comes from heritage breeds and is described as the lowest carbon tannery and leather product in the world.
“Dendrobium is the culmination of Vanda Electrics’ expertise in design and technology,” said Vanda Electrics CEO Larissa Tan. “[The car] is inspired by nature and rooted in technology, a marriage of design and engineering. I can’t wait to reveal the car to the world in March.”
The car will make its debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. While the display model will technically be a concept, it is described as being close to production ready.
The Dendrobium is the third hypercar to be developed with an F1 partnership in recent months. The Aston Martin AM-RB 001, which was co-engineered with Red Bull Racing, was shown last summer, while the Mercedes-AMG Project One, which benefits from the German brand's F1 arm, is set to arrive later this year.