Chinese Mid-Engine Electric Sports Car SC-01 to Hit UK Market in April 2027

The mid-engined electric sports car SC-01, developed by Tianjin-based Artisan Auto Technology Co., Ltd. and manufactured by Jiangling Group New Energy Vehicle Co., Ltd., is scheduled to launch in the UK in April 2027. The vehicle has already gone on sale in China and entered overseas markets such as Italy, with a right-hand-drive version to follow. Its starting price in the UK will be approximately £50,000. Mark Cotton, a former executive at BMW, Bentley, McLaren, and RML, has secured the UK import rights for the SC-01 and is close to finalizing partnerships with three dealer groups responsible for sales and servicing. Additional partners will handle distribution, financing, and after-sales support. Cotton has established the SSCC brand in the UK specifically for this project and is helping facilitate the SC-01’s entry into other right-hand-drive markets. The SC-01 was spearheaded by Feng Xiaotong. Around a decade ago, Feng founded Artisan Auto with a focus on restoring and upgrading modern classic cars. As an automotive enthusiast, he noticed a gap in the market for electric sports cars centered around driving engagement, prompting him to develop the SC-01—emphasizing lightweight construction, balanced performance, and a pure driving experience. The SC-01 features a bespoke space-frame chassis, with all major components exclusively developed for the model. It is fully built in China using locally sourced parts. The car is equipped with a 60 kWh battery pack delivering a CLTC-rated range of 501 km. Positioned between the front and rear axles, the removable battery pack contributes to a low center of gravity—reportedly lower than that of a Porsche 911. Power comes from dual motors (front and rear), producing a combined peak output of 320 kW and peak torque of 560 N·m, enabling a 0–100 km/h acceleration time of 2.9 seconds. Drivers can select between front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive modes. Weighing just 1,380 kg, the interior is extremely minimalist, featuring only a small driver display, gear selector buttons, and a mechanical handbrake—no driver-assistance systems are included. As the SC-01 does not meet the certification requirements for mass-produced vehicles, it will be sold in the UK under either single-vehicle approval or small-series type approval regulations, depending on annual sales volume. The brand plans a lean initial operation, targeting 160 units in its first year and scaling up to 360 units by the third year. Cotton stated that the car is positioned as a niche product for driving enthusiasts, and annual sales of 200–300 units would be sufficient to ensure commercial viability.