DENROBIUM AUTOMOTIVE COMMITED TO UK MANUFACTURE
Following industrialist Sir James Dyson’s controversial announcement that his new electric car will be built in Singapore rather than the UK, in contrast the new British electric hypercar maker Dendrobium Automotive Limited is today (25 October 2018) reaffirming that it is looking to manufacture its game-changing all-electric D-1 hypercar in Great Britain.
Ironically the Dendrobium D-1 was initially conceived by the Singapore-based battery technology company Vanda Electrics, but as the Southeast Asian island has no history or expertise in vehicle manufacture, the electric transportation design specialists turned to the UK for its renowned know-how and prowess to fully develop and engineer the all-electric D-1 hypercar, initially with the support and proven capabilities of the celebrated Formula 1™ company Williams Advance Engineering.
Following its recent show-stealing UK debut at Salon Privé within the stunning surroundings of Blenheim Palace, the now fully-British Dendrobium Automotive is looking to manufacture its all-electric D-1 in the UK, despite the current challenges and uncertainties continuing to be created around Brexit.
Despite these Brexit concerns, Dendrobium Automotive’s aim is to manufacture its technically advanced electric D-1 in the UK and keep the technology development intellectual property and supply chain in Britain to help sustain and create new jobs and opportunities.
The distinctive D-1 looks like no other supercar or hypercar in the world, reflecting Dendrobium’s focus on having technology embodied in sculpture that is a testament to the British marque’s endless pursuit of quality in terms of thought, design and build; all areas where the UK excels. With a target weight of just 1,750kgs, the fully carbon fibre D-1, with its superlight and super strong advance composites and alloys, will represent the true feel of a supercar, not big and heavy, allied to impressive linear performance, and re-write the rules for the hypercar ownership experience.
The lightweight construction of the D-1 is based on a unique Protocell carbon tub which has been skillfully engineered with future adaptability for further generations of Dendrobium e-performance cars. In addition to its advanced vehicle technology, the D-1 has enormous drama and presence thanks to its unique Bio-Aerial Locomotion door and roof opening system, which is inspired by the Dendrobium orchid plant which unfurls naturally in a similar manner, from which the new British hypercar company takes its name.
Commenting on Dyson’s announcement, Chairman and CEO of Dendrobium Automotive, Nigel Gordon-Stewart says, “I am just back from meetings in mainland Europe and Brexit is unquestionably causing real issues in investment in the UK. Both British and overseas investors are shying away from committing to technology developments in the UK, mainly because of the uncertainty of the financial and commercial landscape.”
Gordon-Stewart continues, “Despite the current Brexit difficulties, however, Dendrobium Automotive is committed to manufacture in Britain. The British Government continues to do its best providing Research and Development tax credits and various grants specifically for EV and PHEV UK technology and product development operations. In my opinion, Dyson’s planned manufacture in Singapore, seems very wrong. And the current ‘brain drain’ by EV development companies in the USA and Far East is also a huge concern as our focus seems to be more on a Brexit blame culture rather than keeping our sight firmly fixed on the future and investing in that future. British Engineering is, without doubt, the best in the world, and needs to be focused here in the UK to enable dominance in the biggest and most dramatic change in personal mobility in over 100 years.”
He adds “The electric and hybrid car shift is the greatest revolution, and ev-olution, in the £100 billion automotive industry for over 100 years, and timing is critical for ensuring British Engineering remains best in the world to benefit Britain. Dendrobium are designing our own in-house all-electric power train and we plan to use our own power storage cells moving to solid state as and when the technology is reliable and financially viable, with our own unique cabling and connector system, developed in-house in the UK, as well as our own complete vehicle integration and ADAS hardware and software. From a technical perspective, the D-1 will be a British engineering tour-de-force, designed and built in Britain.”
LEADING ELECTRIC HYPERCAR BRAND DENDROBIUM SIGNS AN IMPORTANT FOUR-WAY AGREEMENT WITH MAGNIS RESOURCES LTD AND C4V
Following the successful UK public debut of its new, game-changing British electric D-1 e-hypercar earlier this month at Salon Privé, within the stunning grounds of Blenheim Palace, Dendrobium Automotive Limited has today (18 September 2018) signed a significant four-way agreement with Magnis Resources, Charge CCCV LLC (C4V™) and Dendrobium Advanced Technologies.
Dendrobium Automotive has signed the four party joint development agreement along with its Dendrobium Advanced Technologies Limited (DATL) division, plus Magnis Resources Limited and C4V to produce the next generation of high performing batteries, including Solid State (ASSB) batteries.
State-of-the-art Battery Management Systems and Battery Pack engineering are included in today’s four-way agreement, with next-generation high performing batteries to be produced using C4V’s Gen2 battery technology.
Under the new joint development agreement, a working group has been created to develop and produce the next generation high performance batteries using technology developed by C4V and Magnis.
Areas of co-operation include battery packaging solutions, battery hybrid systems, battery management software, battery performance testing and battery development materials, with C4V’s Generation II and Solid State ASSB battery technologies developed and targeted for Dendrobium.
Dendrobium is a cutting-edge electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle (‘PHEV’) development and production company. Its unique, all-electric D-1 e-hypercar was initially engineered to an advanced concept stage by the Williams Advanced Engineering division of the Williams Formula1 group to demonstrate its advanced technologies through dynamic performance.
With superlight and super strong advance composites and alloys, and a target weight of just 1,750kgs, the carbon fibre Dendrobium D-1 e-hypercar’s construction is based on a unique Protocell carbon tub which has been skillfully engineered with future adaptability for further generations of Dendrobium e-performance cars.
Dendrobium’s DATL is an advanced engineering company specialising in performance technology and component design and development, including battery development and packaging systems for EV’s and PHEV vehicles.
Magnis is an ASX-Listed company based in Sydney, Australia. Magnis is involved in three future lithium-ion battery giga-factories, is the owner of the world class Nachu Graphite Project in Tanzania and possess technology used around producing battery materials.
C4V™ is an intellectual property company based in Binghamton, New York with expertise and patented discoveries in lithium-ion battery composition and manufacture. C4V leverages its expertise in electrode design and process development to create next-generation storage materials that can be seamlessly integrated into current cell manufacturing lines.
Commenting on today’s agreement, Dendrobium Automotive’s Chairman and CEO, Nigel Gordon-Stewart says, “Dendrobium will be producing high performance vehicles and electric drivetrain solutions for third parties, so today’s agreement is impressive, and a great step forwards for us. We are blown away by the battery performance that Magnis and C4V can produce and we look forward to working together to produce high performing quality batteries, setting the bar for future EVs and PHEVs.”
Magnis Resources Chairman, Frank Poullas, comments,“Today’s announcement is exciting for Magnis and testament to our technology. To work with groups like Dendrobium, who have been developing their e-hypercar with Williams Advanced Engineering and who are at the cutting edge of EV performance engineering, is something that is thrilling for Magnis, it’s partners and shareholders alike.”
C4V™ President Shailesh Upreti comments, “Fine-tuning molecules to bring system level advantage or vice-sera is the key strength of C4V’s technology platform. Working directly with Dendrobium to resolve system level challenges while engineering molecules to deliver customized and cutting edge lithium ion battery cells is part of C4V’s core strategy. This agreement also demonstrates how electrochemists, scientist, engineers, mining and automotive experts need to work together as a team to develop next generation product for rapidly evolving EV market. C4V is very excited to collaborate with one of the finest multidisciplinary team through this agreement.”
The new British electric hypercar maker Dendrobium Automotive Limited recently made its UK public debut to huge acclaim within the stunning surroundings of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England.
The unique, all-electric Dendrobium D-1 wowed the guests at the ultra-exclusive 2018 Salon Privé garden party event, the model attracting enormous interest and many admiring glances, including the attention of His Grace The Duke of Marlborough of Blenheim Palace, who was very keen to discuss the unique and highly-advanced zero-emission D-1 hypercar.
Inspired by nature and rooted in technology, the Dendrobium D-1 fuses a respect for the environment with a design-driven approach to engineering, the car being developed in the UK with the support and expertise of the celebrated Formula 1 company Williams Advance Engineering.
As Salon Privé garden party guests discovered first-hand, the Dendrobium D-1’s design challenges the visual sense of viewers, while drawing out intrigue among the more discerning admirers. The D-1’s delicate marriage of futuristic lines and curves casts dramatic shadows, reflecting the soothing texture of aluminium, carbon fibre and glass, to create a truly distinctive machine that looks like no other supercar or hypercar in the world.
Dendrobium’s focus on having technology embodied in sculpture is a testament to the British marque’s endless pursuit of quality in terms of thought, design and build. With a target weight of just 1,750kgs, the carbon fibre D-1, with its superlight and super strong advance composites and alloys, will represent the true feel of a supercar, not too big and heavy, allied to impressive linear performance, and re-writing the rules for the hypercar ownership experience.
The lightweight construction of the D-1 is based on a unique Protocell carbon tub which has been skillfully engineered with future adaptability for further generations of Dendrobium e-performance cars. In addition to its advanced vehicle technology, the D-1 has enormous drama and presence thanks to its unique Bio-Aerial Locomotion door and roof opening system, which is inspired by the Dendrobium orchid plant which unfurls naturally in a similar manner, from which the new British hypercar company takes its name.
The D-1’s interior is designed around the driver as the absolute centre of attention. Contrasting with the predominantly black carbon fibre interior, the red body-hugging drivers’ sports seat features stitching and motifs inspired by human muscle fibres.
The Dendrobium design team has had conceptual sketches of an electric hypercar on the drawing boards since the mid-1990s, a vision that was many years ahead of its time. As electric technology has advanced, Dendrobium has been able to revisit this vision and now, as the Company launches its revolutionary global e-mobility strategy, the timing is finally right to take the wraps off a halo working prototype model, as displayed to astonished admirers within the beautiful grounds on Blenheim Palace at Salon Privé.
Ahead of the first production examples of the all-electric 1,800bhp D-1, a number of significant and exciting developments at Dendrobium Automotive will be announced shortly, with full details to be confirmed over the coming months.
Commenting on the UK public debut of the D-1 hypercar, Chairman and CEO of Dendrobium Automotive, Nigel Gordon-Stewart said, “After an extensive career in the supercar industry, I can honestly say that Dendrobium Automotive is one of the most exciting and future-focused businesses I’ve ever been involved with. Using the very latest technology, we are developing what will be the most impressive all-electric hypercar. We are designing our own in-house all-electric power train and we plan to use our own power storage cells moving to solid state as and when the technology is reliable and financially viable.”
Gordon-Stewart continues, “We are developing unique cabling and connector systems as well as our own complete vehicle integration and ADAS hardware and software. From a technical perspective, the D-1 will be a British engineering tour-de-force.” You can be assured that the Dendrobium brand will become synonymous with the most exciting and technically sophisticated e-hypercars on the market and available globally.”
DENDROBIUM D-1 E-HYPERCAR CONFIRMED FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION
After the highly successful international introduction at the Geneva International Motor Show in 2017 and subsequent presentations throughout Europe and the Far East, the Dendrobium D-1 electric hypercar has taken its next steps towards production with an all new company, Dendrobium Automotive Limited, now established in the UK. The Dendrobium D-1 will be officially presented in public for the first time in the UK at Salon Privé which takes place in the grounds of ‘Britain’s Greatest Palace’, Blenheim Palace from Thursday 30th August – Saturday 1st September.
The Dendrobium D-1 was originally a basic electric hypercar design concept, created in the mid-1990s, by Vanda Electrics, a Singaporean product design company. In 2016 the sketched designs were presented to UK engineering and Formula 1™ company, Williams Advanced Engineering with a brief for them to create a working show car integrating many features of the car which would appear on the production version to be presented at Geneva. A uniquely qualified management team has now been recruited to take the Dendrobium D-1 into its next phase of development.
Nigel Gordon-Stewart is Chairman and CEO of Dendrobium Automotive Limited. Gordon-Stewart has been working in the premium and supercar markets since 1989. He is best known for pioneering the sales and marketing of the McLaren F1 and subsequently as Sales & Marketing Director of Automobili Lamborghini SpA reintroducing the Super Veloce brand with the Diablo SV and SVR. He was later an Associate Director to the Board at Group Lotus Plc among other senior roles.
“Dendrobium Automotive is one of the most exciting businesses I’ve ever been involved with.” commented Gordon-Stewart. “Using the very latest technology, we are developing, what will be, the most impressive all-electric hypercar. We are designing our own in-house all-electric power train and we plan to use our own power storage cells moving to Solid State as and when the technology is reliable and financially viable. We are developing unique cabling and connector systems as well as our own complete vehicle integration and ADAS hardware and software. From a technical perspective, the D-1 will be a British engineering tour-de-force.”
The headline specification targets of the D-1 are as impressive as you’d expect from a hypercar in this sector: 1,800 bhp; 2,000 NM and a target weight of 1,750 kgs yet it must represent the true feel of a supercar, not big and heavy. Performance will be very impressive and as linear as possible in its delivery, re-writing the rules for the experience of hypercar ownership. “The car is all carbon fibre, advanced composites and alloys which are superlight and super strong.” stated Jens Sverdrup, Member of the Board of Dendrobium Automotive Limited. Sverdrup has a highly successful background in the supercar industry having worked with Lamborghini, Ferrari and Pagani but is best known for establishing the Koenigsegg brand on the map to the extent that it’s now one of the most desirable and highly valued brands in the supercar sector. Recently he’s been responsible for raising Rimac Automobili’s profile globally. “The construction of the D-1 is based on a unique Protocellcarbon tub which possesses future adaptability for further generations of Dendrobium e-performance cars. Apart from advanced vehicle technology, the D-1 has enormous drama and presence thanks to our unique Bio-Aerial Locomotion door and roof opening system which was inspired by the Dendrobium name. A lot more details will be revealed over the coming months, not the least of which will be the D-1’s impressive range and rapid charge time. You can be assured that the Dendrobium brand will become synonymous with the most exciting and technically sophisticated e-hypercars on the market and available globally.”
“Although all the Dendrobium team has automotive blood running in their veins, we are essentially a technology company developing ultra-performance EV and PHEV cars, systems and components,” continued Gordon-Stewart. “Our Advisory Board is chaired by Michael Kimberley who created Lotus Engineering back in 1978 with Colin Chapman which has provided engineering consultancy and technology services throughout the automotive industry with clients from Toyota to Aston Martin. We want to be part of Britain’s resurgence of technology development and best quality manufacturing because the very high standard of British engineering and manufacturing is still highly respected worldwide. It’s one of the things that sets the UK apart and nowhere more so than in performance automotive engineering, technology and motorsport. We see very exciting times ahead with Dendrobium Automotive.
“We chose Salon Privé for our debut because of the sheer prestige of the event and the ability to engage one-to-one with potential clients, key industry figures and business people” said Gordon-Stewart. ”Blenheim Palace is the perfect location for us being right in the heartland of automotive and motorsports technology in the UK so easily accessible for all guests. His Grace, The Duke, is very enthusiastic about the automotive industry here in the UK and his support for Salon Privé is very evident. We’re very much looking forward to 30th August.”
