FFZERO1: Faraday Future unveils all-electric 1000hp Tesla-killer at CES

Faraday Future has finally unveiled its first car – and it’s a beast. Launched at CES, the FFZERO1 looks like a Batmobile, and has the stats to match. However, it’s much more than just another headline-grabbing concept car. Under the surface, the Faraday Future uses a scalable road-going platform that should have Tesla, BMW and other EV makers worried.

Boasting 986hp courtesy of what the company calls “quad-core” electric motors, the FFZERO1 could theoretically hit 0 to 60mph in less than three seconds before topping just over 200mph. Its outrageous design is no accident either. The FFZERO1’s unique bodywork features “aero-tunnels” that make it look great – and make it efficient, too.

Inside, the FFZERO1 is just as exciting. Instead of making users pair their smartphone using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, Faraday Future’s FFZERO1 literally places the driver’s smartphone front and centre, mounting it into the racing-style steering wheel. Alongside other tech such as a heads-up display (HUD) with augmented reality, Faraday Future’s concept car also features a fighter-pilot-inspired helmet that delivers oxygen and water to the driver.

Not just another concept car

Although the FFZERO1 looks like a concept drawing made reality, under the surface it shows Faraday Future is serious about taking on the likes of Tesla. The FFZERO1 uses a modular platform that can be adapted for use on several types of car – from SUVs to family saloons.

What’s more, the FFZERO1’s batteries are arranged in modular strings, so future cars can be specified with varying amounts of power, depending on their use. For example, hatchbacks could use fewer “strings” while SUVs could use more. More cost-effective than traditional means of manufacture, this ethos shows just how large and varied Faraday Future wants its range to become.

Faraday Future is calling this “one-size-fits-all” chassis ethos Variable Platform Architecture (VPA) and, when combined with the huge investment and knowhow of Faraday Future’s rapidly growing team, it looks as though Tesla, Apple and more traditional OEMs will have on a fight on their hands.

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