SC-01: the “Chinese Stratos” that wants to shake up Europe
- Published on 10/08/2026 15:24
Small, lightweight, powerful, and intentionally stripped-down, the SC-01 will arrive in Europe with a recipe surprisingly distant from the usual standards of Chinese electric cars.
An electric Lancia Stratos from China? The shortcut is obviously easy, but just looking at the SC-01 helps understand why this nickname is starting to stick. Small, very low, compact, and wedge-shaped, this Chinese electric sports car primarily cultivates a philosophy that has become particularly rare.
According to Autocar, the SC-01 will arrive in the UK in April 2027, with right-hand drive and a projected price around £50,000. A limited European series of 1,000 units is announced, with a particularly tasty detail for this “Chinese Stratos”: its European production is to be carried out in Italy.
Only 1,365 kg!
But its true interest is technical. The SC-01 uses a tubular chassis, aluminum body panels, and pushrod suspensions. Its two electric motors, located on each axle, develop about 429 hp and 560 Nm. The 0 to 100 km/h sprint is said to be completed in just 2.9 seconds.
Most importantly, it weighs only 1,365 kg. A nearly incongruous figure in today’s electric car landscape, where exceeding two tons has become commonplace. Its relatively modest 60 kWh battery is installed behind the occupants to promote mass distribution.
The same philosophy applies inside. No massive central screen designed to transform the cabin into a digital lounge: the SC-01 retains physical buttons and even a true handbrake. Almost revolutionary in 2026!
The comparison with the Lancia Stratos must obviously stop at the aesthetic and philosophical nod. But this SC-01 poses an interesting question: why must we now look to China to find a small, simple sports car, lightweight and primarily designed to deliver sensations?
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If its road behavior lives up to its technical specifications and if its European debut materializes under good conditions, this “Chinese Stratos” could become one of the most fun electrics on the market.
This page is translated from the original post "SC-01 : la « Stratos chinoise » qui veut encanailler l’Europe" in French.
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