It seems gullwing doors fast, electric SUVs are a thing. And the new Draco Dragon is very fast indeed, with a claimed 0-60 mph sprint taking just 1.9 seconds on the way to a top speed of over 200 mph. These are high numbers, but Draco Motors backs it all up with powertrains that make a combined 2,000 horsepower.
This is the Dragon, Drako’s follow-up to the GTE EV supercar that’s gaining traction in 2020. Aside from a few Dragon teasers, we haven’t heard much from Drako since the GTE but the young company is very ambitious. The Dragon is technically a two-door SUV, though the large gullwings open up for ample access to the front and rear seats. There’s room for five people inside, but we suspect you’re not too keen on that. You want to know how this electric SUV reaches 60 mph in the same amount of time as the world’s fastest production vehicle.
Motivation comes from the quad-motor powertrain that comes from the GTE. Each wheel gets its own motor, powered by Draco’s self-designed battery pack. Package details weren’t provided, but the company says it can fast charge at 500 kW to regain 80 percent of its range in 10 minutes. That’s estimated at 336 miles, with Draco estimating the Dragon’s entire range at 420 miles on a full charge. The system is managed by Dracoo DriveOS; one truly managing multicore ECU everything in SUVs.
Another factor in the Dragon’s performance is its all-carbon fiber structure. Draco says this is the first SUV to use such a structure, cutting weight by up to 50 percent while increasing rigidity. At a curb weight of 4,969 pounds, it’s not featherweight. But it weighs slightly less than the Tesla Model X Plaid while having a longer range and almost twice as much power.
The Dragon was designed in Italy with exotic style, performance and efficiency in mind. The front is similar in shape to the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT concept, with an open nose and curved hood that circulates air up and over the car. The fly butts at the rear also channel air for downforce and a smoother flow.
Moving inside, the technology-focused interior features a central 17.1-inch touchscreen with a smaller driver display. There are tactile controls on the steering wheel in a minimalistic layout. A rear seat entertainment system is available, and a close look at the corner of the dashboard reveals a screen for the side camera. A Draco Motors representative told Motor1.com that standard side mirrors will be available to US buyers if the cameras aren’t legal by the time the Dragon goes on sale.
There is little time for that to happen. The Draco Dragon will be built in the US with a target of producing 5,000 models annually. However, initial customer delivery isn’t expected until 2026. Pricing will start at $290,000, and orders are currently being accepted.
See all the news about the Los Angeles Auto Show
You can see the Draco Dragon at the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show, which takes place November 18-27 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
