Behold the Sandstorm from Ararkis Automobili, the latest contender in the race of hypercars with outlandish performance claims. With a mere hint of actual existence through some flashy renderings, it aims to claim the title of the world’s fastest-accelerating production car, boasting a 0-100 km/h time that beats the Rimac Nevera at just 1.5 seconds. Of course, the Nevera exists in reality while this one doesn’t — at least not yet, as Ararkis has announced plans to produce only 20 units of the Sandstorm, with prices starting at US$ 2 million.
Don’t worry if Ararkis Automobili doesn’t
ring a bell; it’s as fresh as they come. Founded by South African entrepreneur
Priven Reddy and based in the UK, this startup is diving headfirst into the
hypercar scene. And yes, you guessed it, their debut creation, the Sandstorm,
currently resides solely in the digital realm. The official renderings depict a
low-slung vehicle with a massive windshield. Other highlights include the
sketchy-looking fender-mounted LEDs, sizable side intakes, an active rear wing,
and taillights reminiscent of the Aston Martin Vulcan. Interestingly, the rear
also sports two rectangular elements resembling dual exhaust pipes, despite the
hypercar being fully electric.
The aspiring hypercar will ride on a
bespoke chassis crafted from a blend of carbon fiber and aluminum composite
materials. Under the hood, or rather under the bodywork, the Sandstorm will be
propelled by “dual high-performance custom EV motors,” complemented by a
“state-of-the-art single-speed” transmission. However, the specifics regarding
power output and torque figures remain shrouded in mystery. According to the
company, the liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack will boast a capacity of 115
kWh, promising an estimated range of 500 km and quick charging from
0 to 80 percent in just 30 minutes.
Besides the eye-catching 0-100 km/h acceleration figure of 1.5 seconds, the company is also targeting a top
speed of 300 km/h. This is far less impressive considering that the
record-beating Rimac Nevera has a proven top speed of 412 km/h and
can do 275.74 km/h in reverse. But hey, at least they’re keeping
it real. Ararkis didn’t grace us with any interior renderings, but they did
spill a few beans about what’s inside. The cabin is said to accommodate “a
select number of occupants,” which, cryptic as it sounds, we’d venture to guess
means 2 or 3 lucky souls. Regardless, the seats will boast a fancy blend of
magnesium-aluminum alloy, CFRM, and Alcantara. You’ll also find a generous
infotainment touchscreen paired with a thumping Bose audio system. Plus, cruise
control and an around-view monitor come standard, while other advanced
driver-assistance systems are still in the oven, presumably baking to
perfection.
The official website of Ararkis doesn’t
provide a target date for the model’s official launch. Judging from the rough
renders, a production version appears to be distant on the horizon and would
demand considerable investment in design and engineering. It remains to be seen
if anyone will be willing to part with US$ 2 million for an Ararkis instead of
opting for a hypercar from established marques like Ferrari, Lamborghini,
Koenigsegg, and Pagani.
