Arcspeed, an Australian-based kit-car company, unveiled its all-new Arcspeed Roadster, a fully electric sports car, just a week after the unveiling of the Brisbane-developed Varley evR450 electric sports! This car’s body, drivetrain, and electronic controls were conceived and constructed in its native land.

The company started designing the Arcspeed Roadster back in 2006 and was originally built to accommodate a Honda Integra Type R drivetrain, but according to InsideLine,“supply issues ended the life of the gasoline-powered roadster before a single production car was built.” Not giving up on its project, Arcspeed Co-Founders Keith White and Jaron Ware were influenced by the recent popular “go green” incentive and decided to drop an electric drivetrain into the Arcspeed platform.

The Arcspeed is using the same electric motor as the Varley evR450, which puts out close to 385 lb-ft of torque; the company claims that its Roadster can go from 0–60 mph in less than 3.8 seconds. This electric roadster’s lithium-ion battery pack is mounted to the cockpit floor and sends power to the rear motor to drive the rear wheels. With the standard battery pack, the Roadster offers a range of around 95 miles, and customers will have the option to add an additional battery pack, offering a range of around 186 miles. Arcspeed says the battery pack can then be recharged “overnight” using a 10-amp 240-volt outlet.

The Arcspeed Roadster could be on the market by the end of 2012, and the company says it plans to build both left and right-hand drive versions. It anticipates a fair amount of international demand given the performance as well as the price, which is said to be under the $100,000 mark.

[via InsideLine]

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