Faraday Future unveils 1,000-hp FFZ

Faraday Future unveils 1,000-hp FFZERO1 concept
Mysterious California-based startup Faraday Future has introduced its very first concept at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Dubbed FFZERO1, the show car takes the form of an aerodynamic, Hot Wheels-esque sports car that looks like it traveled to CES from the 22nd century. The body is crafted entirely out of lightweight composite materials such as carbon fiber, and aerodynamic tunnels on either side of the front fascia reduce drag while delivering cooling air to the battery pack. The long tail fin improves stability, and it doubles as a digital canvas that displays the car's charge status when it's in the pits and the driver's name when it's out on the track.

The concept offers space for a single passenger in a cabin that was designed around the driver. The seat boasts NASA-derived tech that reduces driver fatigue, and it's tilted back at a 45-degree angle to improve blood flow. Smartphone integration allows the driver to remotely dial in how much power he or she needs, and to receive real-time data about the car and its surroundings. Finally, the FFZERO1 can drive itself when needed both on and off the track.

Power comes from four Quad Core electric motors that deliver a combined output of over 1,000 horsepower. The FFZERO1 can theoretically reach 60 mph from a stop in less than three seconds and go on to a top speed of over 200 mph. Additional technical details -- such as how far it can go on a full charge -- haven't been published yet, and whether the concept is fully functional is anyone's guess.

By this point, the FFZERO1 sounds similar to the string of terrifically futuristic Vision Gran Turismo virtual concepts that were introduced over the past year. The key difference is that Faraday Future's first concept rides on a production-bound modular chassis called Variable Platform Architecture (VPA) that was designed in-house. The platform can be modified to accommodate different wheelbase lengths, several different battery packs arranged in strings, and anywhere between one and four motors. In other words, VAP can underpin a supercar like the FFZERO1, a crossover with all-wheel drive, a two-wheel drive sedan, and even a city car.

Faraday Future stresses the FFZERO1 embodies its vision for the future of mobility. It was designed to show the flexibility of the VPA platform, and it most likely won't reach production as-is.