Rimac's Concept One Electric Hypercar Was Way Ahead Of Its Time

Previewing the Future

It's been five full years since Rimac revealed the production version of its Concept One electric hypercar at the Geneva Motor Show. And yet, even today, it looks like something from the future. Lest we forget, the idea of an electric hypercar was simply a dream just five years ago, but the Concept One was very much real, leaving a permanent impression on all of us that watched Richard Hammond drive one off a cliff on Top Gear, instantly making Rimac a household name.

Photos: Rimac

Humble Beginnings

Rimac's founder, Mate Rimac, grew up with a passion for cars like most of us. However, after a life of tinkering on gas-powered vehicles and even accumulating some drifting and racing experience, he eventually found himself in love with the idea of electric power. So after his BMW E30 3-Series blew up on the racetrack back in 2007, instead of rebuilding it, he made it an EV. 

Photos: Rimac

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Laying the Foundation

After a lot of tinkering, the E30 eventually laid down an impressive 600 horsepower and 660 pound-feet of torque, which propelled the BMW from 0-60 in 3.5 seconds and down the quarter-mile in 11 seconds. This laid the foundation for Rimac Automobili, as well as the first Concept One concept, which debuted at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show to much fanfare and skepticism.

Photos: Rimac

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Staggering Numbers

The numbers were nothing less than mind-blowing - 1,500 horsepower and 0-60 in a claimed 2.5 seconds, figures that few if any, cars on earth were capable of achieving at the time. At least production cars, that is. But Rimac soon proved the Concept One's worth by securing a second-place finish at Pike's Peak, followed by setting an EV record at the Goodwood Festival Of Speed Hill Climb in 2017.

Photos: Rimac

>>Join the conversation about the Rimac Concept One right here in the Electric Vehicles Forums!

Make Me Famous

Most remember the Concept One for its appearance on Top Gear in the first episode of its second season, however. The trio of Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond slipped behind the wheel of, respectively, a Lamborghini Aventador, Acura NSX, and Rimac Concept One to see whether a traditional ICE hypercar, hybrid, or full-electric was the best.

Photos: Rimac

>>Join the conversation about the Rimac Concept One right here in the Electric Vehicles Forums!

Making Lemonade

The three cars and their drivers took to a hill climb to test the hypercars out and see which one was the fastest, which was going well until Hammond lost control of his ultra-powerful EV, flew off the track, and flipped the car multiple times. Given how bad the Concept One looked afterward, it's a miracle that Hammond survived, but the crash resulted in a massive amount of publicity for both the show and Rimac.

Photos: Rimac

>>Join the conversation about the Rimac Concept One right here in the Electric Vehicles Forums!

Back to the Future

The rest, as they say, is history. The success of the Concept One has led to the new Concept Two, which costs $2 million dollars, packs nearly 2,000 horsepower, and does 0-60 in 1.85 seconds with a top speed of 258 miles-per-hour. It's the latest creation from a company that's been pushing the envelope for years now, and demonstrating the capabilities of EV performance better than anyone.

Photos: Rimac

>>Join the conversation about the Rimac Concept One right here in the Electric Vehicles Forums!