A Chinese startup, backed by smartphone giant Xiaomi, has quietly launched its first model, an affordable electric sports car called the SC01. The SC01 was unveiled in September 2022 and officially rolled out by car tuning startup China Car Custom. Priced at RMB 229,800 ($31,530), the SC01 has made a low-profile entry into China’s auto industry without any grand launch events or extensive social media marketing.
Founder Feng Xiaotong made the announcement on Weibo, showcasing the SC01 at the ongoing 2025 Shanghai auto show. The electric sports car, produced by Jiangxi Jiangling Group NEV (JMEV), is named simply as the “Small Sports Car SC01” without an official brand attached to it.
Measuring 4,106mm in length, 1,830mm in width, and 1,170mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,503mm, the SC01 weighs 1,365 kg and can reach a top speed of 200 km/h. It features dual electric motors, each with a peak power of 160 kW, delivering a combined peak power of 320 kW and peak torque of 560 Nm. The SC01 can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds, thanks to its Li-ion ternary batteries with a 60 kWh pack capacity and a CLTC range of 520 km.
China Car Custom, founded by sports car enthusiast Feng in 2014, has received significant investment from Xiaomi, with co-founder Liu De serving as one of its directors. The company has a history of modifying various car models and showcased the WM Weltmeister in 2021, which was capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 1.8 seconds.
The SC01 is targeted at a niche market in China, competing with SAIC Motor’s MG Cyberster and Neta Auto’s Neta GT. Despite limited sales and traction in the market, these homegrown electric sports cars offer unique alternatives to traditional models. The SC01’s launch marks a new chapter in China’s auto industry, offering consumers an affordable and high-performance electric sports car option.
