Faraday Future stepped out from the shadows at CES 2016 to reveal a striking electric-powered concept car, dubbed the Faraday FFZero1. This concept serves as a showcase for the company's concept of a flat, scalable platform that could be adapted to numerous vehicle types (luxury sedan, crossover, compact sedan, and pickup truck) and drive configurations (front-, rear-, and all-wheel drive).
Faraday's stated intent for its approach to vehicle development is to react to changing market demands with short lead times – more like a tech company – as opposed to a traditional automaker that needs years to design each new model.
General Motors popularized the notion of a shareable "skateboard" platform with the Hy-Wire concept car over a decade ago, although the idea has yet to reach production. Faraday's approach also is akin to Tesla Motors' modular platform, demonstrated with the Model S and Model X.
The single-seat concept car features four "Quad Core" motors producing over 1,000 horsepower, with 0-60 mph times promised in less than 3 seconds and a top speed over 200 mph, Faraday said at a press conference.
As a technology showcase, the FFZero1 demonstrates augmented reality projected ahead on the road and boasts the ability to educate itself about the driver's needs in real time and make comfort, convenience, and performance adjustments. There is a smartphone integrated into the steering wheel – the idea to provide familiar controls. At a glance, the potential for distraction is clear and will hopefully be addressed with production models.
One thing to remember is that concept cars rarely have much in common with production models that reach the street, so this stealthy supercar may never see the light of day.
Very little was known about the company before the announcement, beyond its financial backing by a Chinese billionaire and acquiring talent from across the auto industry and Silicon Valley – leading to speculation about its ownership. Faraday Future currently has about 500 employees, including senior staff from BMW, Google, government, and Tesla Motors. The California-based company shares its name with English scientist Michael Faraday, known for pioneering work in electromagnetism and chemistry in the early 1800s.
Faraday Future plans to break ground on a dedicated manufacturing facility in north Las Vegas, Nev., and claims it will start building cars in 2017, according to a Bloomberg report. However, if the Tesla factory rollout is any indicator, that projected timing may be a case of high hopes.
In addition to developing cars, the company is also working on autonomous driving technology and unique ownership experiences.
Faraday Future describes the FFZero1 as a preview of their DNA. Its talents and ambitions definitely make Faraday Future a company to watch.
