DENDROBIUM MAKES GLOBAL DEBUT AT GENEVA MOTOR SHOW
- Singapore’s first hypercar, the all-electric Dendrobium concept,has made its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show
- High performance zero emission two-seater comes from Singapore electric mobility experts Vanda Electrics
- Striking design features an automatic roof and doors, which open in a synchronized manner
- Performance targets are a top speed in excess of 200mph and 0-60mph in 2.7 seconds
- Vanda Electrics’ technical partner is Williams Advanced Engineering, the technology and engineering services division of the Williams Group
Switzerland, Tuesday March 7th 2017 – The covers have come off Singapore’s first-ever hypercar, the Dendrobium, which has made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The brainchild of Singapore electric mobility experts Vanda Electrics, Dendrobium is a two seater all-electric sports car concept, which features a striking design and a target top speed in excess of 200mph.
Specializing in battery technology, research, innovation and design, Vanda Electrics is one of Singapore’s leading e-mobility companies. Its revolutionary strategy is to develop a range of global electric products that capitalize on the trend towards zero emission mobility and focus on three key segments: luxury, consumer and industrial.
With the launch of a fast-charging zero emission electric light commercial vehicle and electric mini scooter taking place later this year, the company has chosen the 2017 Geneva Motor Show to unveil its most exciting model yet, a high performance halo product that will sit in the luxury sector.
A project that has resided within the design team for many years, Dendrobium is finally being realised thanks to the rapid advancements in electrification technology, which allows headturning styling to be combined with high performance, compact e-powertrains.
Vanda Electrics has also engaged a small number of key partners to develop the Dendrobium concept car.
Technical partner is Williams Advanced Engineering, the technology and engineering services division of the Williams Group. The division specialises in a number of core areas that are highly relevant to Dendrobium, including aerodynamics, lightweight structures, vehicle integration and, of course, electrification. Williams Advanced Engineering has taken the project from the design stage to dynamic concept car.
Innovative, dramatic design
Designed by Vanda’s in-house team, Dendrobium’s remarkable shape incorporates an automatic roof and doors, which open in a synchronized manner, resembling a fully-opened dendrobium flower, a genus of orchids native to Singapore.
This unique feature is not just for show either – it also improves access to the cockpit, making ingress and egress easier than other hypercars. The tear drop shape that forms around the cockpit and ends in the tail – where the plug-in port is located, just behind a panel above the charging light, which shows the status of the car’s battery – is a design feature that has remained a key part of Dendrobium from the initial sketches.
Other highlights of Dendrobium’s exterior are the aerodynamic floor, rear double diffuser and front splitter. At the back, the rear light bar elegantly floats over the tail of the car, and throughout the design there is pure, motorsport-inspired functionality, such as the exposed double wishbone front and rear suspension. That motorsport theme is continued in the materials used. In order to meet its target weight of 1,750kg, Dendrobium features a composite monocoque chassis, carbonfibre body panels, carbon ceramic brake discs and lightweight alloy calipers inside 20-inch front and 21-inch rear alloy wheels, wrapped in Michelin high performance tyres.
Driver-focused interior
Carbonfibre is also used extensively in the interior, fitting with Dendrobium’s minimalist but functional design brief. Step inside and it is immediately obvious that the driver is the absolute centre of attention. He or she enjoys a bright red body-hugging sports seat – which contrasts dramatically with the predominately black interior. Both driver and passenger seats feature stitching and motifs inspired by muscle fibres.
The interior of the Dendrobium concept has been trimmed using leather from Scotland’s Bridge of Weir Leather Company, which sources the best hides from the best heritage breeds and has adopted the very latest technology. The result is the lowest carbon tannery and leather product in the world – the perfect material for a zero emission halo model.
Sitting in the driver’s eye line is a digital dashboard flanked by two rear-view displays, which take feeds from wing-mounted cameras. All of the dashboard buttons are hexagon-shaped: a recurring design theme throughout Dendrobium, replicated in the air vents, front grille and headlight bezels.
Hyper-mobility: target in excess of 200mph
Although strictly a concept car at this stage, performance targets for Dendrobium are a top speed in excess of 200mph and 0-60mph in 2.7 seconds. The project will feature the latest lithium-ion battery and electric powertrain technology calling on Vanda Electrics’ own expertise and, of course, that of technical partner Williams Advanced Engineering.
The Grove-based organization is an electrification world-leader; it is currently the sole battery supplier to Formula E and an electric motor and e-powertrain integration expert thanks to its pioneering F1-bred hybrid systems and its key role in the rapid development of the Jaguar C-X75 supercar.
Should Dendrobium go into production, a layout featuring two inboard-mounted electric motors per axle, with a single-speed gearbox and differential at the front and a multi-speed gearbox and differential at the rear, is envisaged. If Vanda Electrics receives enough positive interest at the Geneva Motor Show, the first model is expected to hit the road by 2020.
Larissa Tan, Vanda Electrics CEO said: “Dendrobium is the culmination of a dream. Our design team has had sketches of an electric hypercar on the drawing board since the mid-90s, but that vision was many years ahead of its time. As electric technology has advanced, we have been able to revisit this vision and now, as we launch our revolutionary global e-mobility strategy, the timing is finally right for us to take the wraps off a halo model.
“Dendrobium is our interpretation and expression of what pushes the boundaries in the development of an electric performance car. We have engaged some expert partners to help us achieve this such as Williams Advanced Engineering. With its skills in electrification, aerodynamics, lightweight structures, vehicle dynamics and integration – and even lowvolume build – we could not think of a more appropriate partner.
“We are looking forward to seeing the world’s reaction to Dendrobium. This electric hypercar may just be a concept for now, but we have every intention of putting it into production. It sits at the top of our range and the production version will be a fitting showcase for the best in design and e-technology.”
- Singapore’s first hypercar, the all-electric Dendrobium concept, will make its global debut at this March’s Geneva Motor Show
- High performance zero emission two-seater comes from Singapore electric mobility experts Vanda Electrics
- Vanda Electrics’ technical partner is Williams Advanced Engineering, the technology and engineering services division of the Williams Group
- Dendrobium will feature advanced aerodynamics, lightweight composite structures and electric powertrain development
- Its interior will boast the world’s lowest carbon leather from Bridge of Weir Leather Company
- Further details will be revealed in the coming months, myAutoWorld will have full coverage from the Geneva Motor Show
Singapore, 18 January 2017 – A fully electric revolution is heading to this year’s Geneva Motor Show in the shape of the Dendrobium, Singapore’s first-ever hypercar. Making its global debut on March 7th, the high performance two-seater concept is the brainchild of Singapore electric mobility experts Vanda Electrics and mixes striking design with the latest in e-powertrain development.
Dendrobium’s high-tech componentry will be clothed in a remarkable body featuring an automatic roof and doors, which open in a synchronized, theatrical manner, resembling a fully-opened dendrobium flower, a genus of orchids native to Singapore.
Vanda Electrics has engaged Williams Advanced Engineering, the technology and engineering services division of the Williams Group – which also includes Williams Martini Racing – as its technical partner to build the Dendrobium concept and assist in future project development. The division specialises in race-bred aerodynamics, composites, batteries and electric drivetrains.
The interior of the Dendrobium will feature the finest Scottish leather from Bridge of Weir Leather Company, which sources the best hides from the best heritage breeds and has adopted the very latest technology. The result is the lowest carbon tannery and leather product in the world.
Vanda Electrics CEO Larissa Tan, explained: “Dendrobium is the first Singaporean hypercar and the culmination of Vanda Electrics’ expertise in design and technology. We are delighted to be working with Williams Advanced Engineering, world-leaders in aerodynamics, composites and electric powertrains and Bridge of Weir Leather Company, makers of the finest, lowest-carbon leather in the world. The Dendrobium is inspired by nature and rooted in technology, a marriage of design and engineering – I can’t wait to reveal the car to the world in March.”
About Vanda Electrics:
Vanda Electrics is developing electric transportation solutions to capitalize on the global shift towards electric mobility. Under the Vanda umbrella, a suite of electric mobility products and battery storage technologies will be made available to the market, with a focus on three key segments, Hyper Luxury, Consumer and Industrials. With a global view on business, Vanda has forged strategic ties with partners in the U.K., U.S. and Asia to facilitate our time-to-market and reinforce our offerings.
About Williams Advanced Engineering:
Williams is a leading Formula One team and advanced engineering company. Formed in 1977 by Sir Frank Williams and Sir Patrick Head, the company has secured 16 FIA Formula One World Championship titles since its foundation. The company’s core competencies are the design and manufacture of Formula One race cars, and the deployment of this expertise in running the team’s entries into the Grand Prix each season under the name Williams Martini Racing.
Williams has diversified its operations beyond Formula One and in 2010 established Williams Advanced Engineering, an engineering services and technology division. Williams Advanced Engineering combines cutting edge technology and the industry’s best engineers, with a precision and speed to market derived from four decades of success in the ultra-competitive environment of Formula One.
The business provides world class technical innovation, engineering, testing, manufacturing and operational consulting services to the automotive, motorsport, defence, aerospace, health and energy sectors. Working in close collaboration with their customers and partners, the company creates energy efficient performance to meet the sustainability challenges of the 21st Century.
About Bridge of Weir Leather Company
Bridge of Weir has been at the forefront of innovation and quality for over a century. Where there have been major advances in motoring, furniture or travel, Bridge of Weir leather played its part, featuring in icons as diverse as the Ford Model T to the Charles Eames Lounge Chair to Concorde.
Since 1905, Bridge of Weir has continuously innovated, adopting the latest technology, and, since 2009, boasts the lowest carbon tannery and leather product in the world. But, the product quality and its unique appeal are still based on the same principles.
Only the finest hides sourced from the best heritage breeds are used, pure water – the same as used to distill malt whiskies, and generations of hand-finished craftsmanship create a unique alchemy resulting in the finest Scottish Leather.
