The Ararkis Sandstorm, a rare edition electric Hypercar with South African roots, blew through an online cloud of controversy last week when the internet erupted over the ‘tailpipes’ found on the car’s rear end.
The Ararkis Automobili team was quick to point out that it is external speakers not exhaust pipes. “The design elements resembling exhaust pipes serve as sound exits for our Quantum Harmonix system,” said Emily Parker, head of PR. “This goes beyond basic sound replication, using acoustic technology to authentically reproduce the dynamic experience of a V12 engine within an electric powertrain.”
The company claims that the innovation of the Quantum Harmonix system was a potential game-changer for EV enthusiasts who miss the roar of a gas-powered engine.
Ararkis Automobili, helmed by technopreneur Priven Reddy, said that the Sandstorm is in its development phase, with a production prototype targeted for Q3 of this year. However, only 20 vehicles are planned for production, making it one of the most sought-after Hypercars in the market.
Besides its dazzling design innovations, the car also promises lightning-speed. The Ararkis team claims the Sandstorm blitz’s 0-100 km/h in 1.5 seconds, which would surpass the current EV hypercar record of 1.85 seconds.
While many luxury automakers mention sustainability, Ararkis has made it a central tenet. Materials like carbon fiber, which makes the vehicle lightweight, superfast and fuel efficient, and recyclable material in the interior indicates a commitment to creating a high-performance vehicle with a reduced environmental impact.
“Building the Ararkis Sandstorm was the only logical way to balance the contradiction of my love for oil-guzzling supercars and my quest for a greener, sustainable world,” explains Reddy. Like most innovators, the science fiction books and comics he devoured as a kid also inspired him. Undoubtedly, the Sandstorm conjures up images of Frank Herbert’s eco-science masterpiece Dune, set on the planet Arakis, now showing in cinemas worldwide.
“From a commercial point of view, the hypercar market is ripe for disruption,” Reddy asserts. “With an exclusive production of just 20 highly personalised vehicles destined for select customers, we can offer both thrilling performance and unparalleled features.”
These include its impressive range of 500 km which allows for longer journeys without anxiety about the battery losing charge. The rapid charging, thermostat battery technology provides an 80% charge in under 30 minutes which sets it apart from other cars. However, all this comes with an eye watering price of $2 million.
Early buzz around the Ararkis Sandstorm attracted the attention of elite auto collectors, including Ree Hurakan, a UK-based property and fintech mogul known for his cutting-edge taste. As an avowed Lamborghini collector (he has five), Ree Hurakan was quick to embrace the Sandstorm’s bold promise. On his decision to add the Sandstorm to his stable, he remarks “I always push boundaries, in business and in my collection. The Sandstorm isn’t about compromise. It screams performance, but with a green conscience. And let’s be real… the fact they’re capping production at twenty makes it that much sweeter.”
One particular supercar club in South Africa is keeping a close eye on the Sandstorm, as its success could provide a powerful spark for local entrepreneurs in this sector. “Ararkis’ approach will force the market to take notice,” observes Ivan Krenek, Vice-President of the Lamborghini Club, South Africa. “Their innovations could accelerate the wider adoption of advanced EV technologies in supercars and Hypercars.”
“Even though they are currently headquartered in the UK, through the many discussions we had with them, we believe there’s a good chance that the next generation of Ararkis vehicles will be built here in South Africa,” Krenek said. “If that happens it will no doubt represent a shift in the global automotive landscape and position South Africa as the continent’s hub for automotive ingenuity. I can’t wait to get into the cockpit.”
Find out more about this electrifying chapter of automotive innovation by visiting www.ararkis.com.