cars news 10: GLM G4 Electric Supercar Is Unexpected Gem from Paris Show

This year’s Paris Motor Show saw some stellar debuts from major automakers like Ferrari, Mercedes, and Land Rover, but sometimes the greatest show cars are the unexpected ones. Our technical director Frank Markus gave us the scoop on one hidden gem from the Paris show: the GLM G4.

Featuring four gullwing doors and a bold blue paint job, this four-seat sedan is hard to ignore. It was designed in the Netherlands by exotic car company Savage Rivale, destined to receive an American V-8 engine. That never happened, and instead the company was approached by Japanese carmaker GLM to adapt the design for an electric drive system.

As such, the vehicle now features two electric motors in the front and rear that drive the axles through a multi-speed transmission at each end. In a unique design, the motors have multiple windings on the stator that can be individually energized to change the basic motor characteristics to adjust to different speed and load ranges. With this setup, the supercar is expected to achieve 261 miles on a single charge and a 0-62 time of under 3.6 seconds. Top speed? 155 mph.

In terms of design, the show car features slim headlights, a low ground clearance, heavily raked roofline, and an interior with a flat-bottom steering wheel and opulent white upholstery. Opening all four gullwing doors allows for easier entry, but the front doors must be opened before the back ones can swing out. The high door sills are expected to help the car offer good protection in side impact crashes.

The team feels there is a market for an exotic supercar with four seats, and that’s why this car could become more than just a showpiece. Currently, GLM is getting the car ready to start production in Japan. The supercar will be sold there first, as well as in Hong Kong and Singapore. Don’t rule out a U.S. launch either, because the automaker hasn’t. If it does come to the U.S., it will launch later than the initial batch headed east. Prices are expected to reach around 200,000 euros, which is roughly $224,400 at today’s rates.