The idea of a small startup, a financial injection from Xiaomi, and a design that screams retro rally glamour – the JMEV01 is not just another electrical box on wheels.
Initially known as SC-01, it is JMEV01 created by a Chinese startup with a very honest name – Small Sports Car. It first caught the attention of car enthusiasts in 2022, but then almost disappeared from the radar. Almost. Today it returns stronger, lighter and more confident – under the name JMEV01The new owner of the project is JMEV (Jiangling Motors Electric Vehicle), a subsidiary of JMC (Jiangling Motors Corporation), which once flirted with France's Renault - until they gracefully walked away from the joint venture in 2023.
Now, thanks to a strategic partnership and investment from Xiaomi (yes, the same Xiaomi that sells you smartphones and smart vacuums), the project is breathing life into the air. The official launch is scheduled for April 15th, and the starting price is expected to be under 300,000 yuan, or about 41,300 US dollars.
JMEV01; A performance that says “We're not here to party. Well, we are.”
Beneath the attractive body shell of the JMEV01 stands out something that is rarely heard in electric cars today: easeThe JMEV01 weighs just 1,365 kg – that’s more than 500 kg less than sports An MG Cyberster that is clearly eating too many electronic calories.
The car is powered by two electric motors (one on each axle), which together produce 429 horsepower (320 kW). The result? Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.9 secondsAlthough official battery capacity figures are not yet known, it is said to be sufficient for a range of around 520 kilometers after the optimistic Chinese CLTC cycle. The source of electricity? The company's battery pack CALB, one of the largest battery manufacturers in China.
A design drama that draws inspiration from the past – and with style
Design-wise, the JMEV01 goes against the grain. While most EVs strive for a sterile, futuristic aesthetic without character, the JMEV01 confidently waves the retro flag. The front end is adorned with sharply shaped lights, a grille with prominent air vents and a clamshell-style engine hood. But the real treat comes when you look at it from the side or from the back – where the silhouettes of the Lancia Stratos are unmistakably recognizable. Round rear lights, a small spoiler and a flat-finished rear – it’s as if the rally dreams of the 70s have come back to life… only now they’re quietly whizzing by.
JMEV01: Minimalism that doesn't skimp on the driving experience
The JMEV01 isn't loaded with screens, massage seats, and driving assistants that convince you you don't need to drive. The interior is supposedly minimalist and driver-focused—almost puristic. It's not about how many TikTok videos you can edit while driving, it's about how big a smile you can have on a winding road.
What does all this mean?
The JMEV01 isn't perfect. And it doesn't want to be. It's not a self-driving tech ship, and it won't understand your voice commands even if you whisper them in its ear. But that's not the point. It's a reminder that electric cars you can they still excite, excite and – last but not least – look damn good.
Will he conquer the world? Maybe. But he has captured our attention.
Will we ever see this car on European roads? There's no sign yet that the JMEV01 will be seen beyond China's borders, although with some homologation wizardry it could find its way into the garages of car enthusiasts who have grown tired of heavy, sterile EV crossovers.
If nothing else, the JMEV01 proves that even in the oversaturated EV market, someone can still surprise – with a €41,000 sports electric coupe that looks like the offspring of a Tesla and a Lancia. And that's almost a miracle these days.
