One of the standout electric sports car concepts at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show (remember life before the pandemic?) was the Mark Zero. Developed by a new company called Piech founded by the son of former Volkswagen Group boss Ferdinand Piech and the great-grandson of Ferdinand Porsche, the original concept was an electric sports coupe with over 400 horsepower and over 300 miles of range.
Two years later, the Mark Zero concept is getting closer to production. Simply called the GT, the production version of the Mark Zero has begun testing ahead of a planned market launch in 2024. Like the concept, the Piech GT takes the form of a stylish two-seater sports coupe with similar proportions to the Porsche 911 and an Aston Martin-style front fascia.
Since the concept debuted, the Piech GT's battery and battery cell technology has received a "significant innovation." Whereas the concept produced 400 hp, the production GT now has 600 hp thanks to three electric motors, with two on the rear axle and one powering the front.
With an estimated curb weight of 3,968 pounds, Piech promises the GT will have "typical sports car handling" and accelerate from 0-62 mph in less than three seconds. This low curb weight - relatively speaking for EVs - was achieved thanks to the use of compact pouch cell technology. Using a CCS2 fast charger, the battery will charge from 0 to 80% in just eight minutes.
However, Piech is also working with the technology company TGOOD to produce a fast charger that will charge the GT up to 80 percent in just five minutes. On a full charge, the Piech GT delivers a range of 500 kilometers (310 miles) based on WLTP standards.
A team led by Klaus Schmidt, who headed BMW's M division for over 30 years, will build and test a second prototype by March 2022. Additional prototypes will then be tested in extreme heat and cold temperatures as well as demanding roads and racetracks such as the Nurburgring in 2022 and 2023. Piech then plans to launch the GT in mid-2024 in Europe, China, and the US. The electric GT sports car will be one of three variants including an SUV and sedan.