What happens when a modern smartphone maker collaborates on a lightweight EV sports car? You get Tianjin’s striking new roadster, a 430-horsepower electric machine built to prove that zero-emission performance doesn't have to mean heavy curb weights. Tipping the scales at roughly 3,000 pounds, this sharp-looking open-top EV is making its way to Europe, aiming to give established heritage brands a serious run for their money.

 

The story of the SC01 begins in 2022, when it was first unveiled in an online launch to Chinese audiences. The machine was developed by a company called Tianjin Gongjiangpai Auto Technology, which has ties with the likes of fellow auto manufacturer and smartphone producer Xiaomi. The latter is a substantial investor in the former, which wanted to build a car that showed EVs could be light and engaging.