The Mark Zero EV concept was shown at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. It was a battery powered sportscar that was the product of startup Piech Automotive. If the name sounds familiar the company boss is Toni Piech, whose great grandfather was none other than Ferdinand Porsche. At the time many questioned the long-term prospect of the concept, but the debut of the production version Piech GT EV should quell any doubt.

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Extensive testing

Piech Automotive has a number of high-profile staff members who have been attracted from the likes of VW, Tesla and Porsche. The technology department is being led by former BMW M engineer Klaus Schmidt. Schmidt and his team have already started testing the Piech GT and will continue to do so throughout 2022/3 with the car mooted for a 2024 release. The extensive testing program is in place as Piech plans to sell 1 200 units of the GT per year. Production is set to be undertaken by a, as yet unnamed, European partner.

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Fast and fast charging

The Piech GT EV is said to have a new form of fast charging that allows the battery to be charged to 80 percent capacity in eight minutes. A 75 kWh battery powers three 150 kW motors, one on the front axle and two on the rear, for a total of 450 kW. This power output allows the two-seater to race from rest to 100 km/h in under 3,0 seconds and it’ll breach 200 km/h in less than 9,0 seconds after taking off.

Piech Automotive says the GT weighs 1 800 kg, which is light by EV car standards. The company says the low mass is possible thanks to ‘pouch cell’ technology Li-ion batteries from Chinese company Desten. Range from a fully charged battery is rated as 500 km. The battery pack is arranged down the center of the car and across the rear axle, which allows for a lower seating position. Incidentally, the total height of the car is 1,25 metres.