A BRITISH car startup is hoping to give luxury EVs manufacturers like Jaguar, Rolls-Royce and Bentley a run for their money.
Forseven is reportedly well on the way developing a range of electric cars with a launch date expected towards the end of the decade.
The new firm is being bankrolled by investment company CYVN Holdings, which is owned by the Abu Dhabi government, and who also have an interest in Chinese EV brand Nio.
CYVN Holdings bought a controlling interest last year in Gordon Murray Technologies, part of the Gordon Murray Group which is launching the T.50 and T.33 supercars.
Gordon Murray Technologies has developed the iStream platform and production technology, which is thought to be used as part of the Forseven set-up, reports Auto Express.
The iStream boasts low weight and high strength platforms with the battery and use of recycled carbon-fibre body panels.
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It claims to reduce CO2 and cost during production as well as the running of the vehicle, with body panel components reduced by 50 per cent and overall weight by 20 per cent in a traditional family car.
The iStream was previewed by the Motiv quadricycle concept in 2021 by Gordon Murray Design, which boasted of a battery twice the size of its competitors while keeping its weight down.
Nick Collins, the former JLR executive director of vehicle programmes, has joined Forseven as its chief executive, having left the British luxury car maker in December.
Former Jaguar Land Rover designer Alister Whelan, who has also worked at Nio, has already joined to lead the Forseven design studio as vice president of design.
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Another former JLR employee Graham Wilkins has also joined and will be in charge of the engineering team as vice president of engineering.
Forseven’s website hints at the use of iStream, saying: “Our vision is to reimagine the way we manufacture, own and connect with EVs.
“We will streamline the way premium, dynamically engaging, vehicles are made and offer them via an ecosystem that captures imaginations.
“By doing so, we will build for a better, circular future and lighten our impact on the planet.”
The statement also suggests that the company will use a direct sales model rather than the more traditional dealer network, something other EV startups, like Nio, are also planning.
The Brit startup also says it will use seven guiding principle in its business model: striving for lightness, championing customers, reigniting passion, collaboration for excellence, connecting worlds, born to pioneer, eyes fixed on the long term.
Details about the Forseven cars are currently being kept under wraps but more information on the company is expected later this year.
Reports suggest though that they will be lightweight vehicles with a definite focus on luxury.
If that’s correct, then it seems they will be challenging the reborn all-electric Jaguar models that are set to be launched next year as well as EV offerings from the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
Audi is seen as a big hitter in the luxury EV market with its SQ8 e-tron but other manufacturers are set to enter the field.
Jaguar already has a presence in the top-of-the-range market with its i-Pace but intends to relaunch next year.
Rolls-Royce has its Spectre which will set you back at least £330,000.
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Meanwhile, Bentley have a plug-in hybrid version of their Flying Spur.
It plans to offer only plug-in hybrid and electric cars by 2026 and switch its entire lineup to fully battery-powered vehicles by the end of the decade.
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Jon Rogers
