This is the Callum Skye, an all-wheel-drive electric adventure vehicle from the design and engineering firm set up by former Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin and Ford designer Ian Callum. The Skye is the company's first model completely conceived, designed, engineered and developed in-house.
Electric power and enclosed cabin
The Callum Skye is an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), a type that isn't typically designed for on-road work - but the company says it has been 'meticulously designed and engineered to be rewarding on-road' nonetheless. However, it's going to be more fun on gravel tracks, sand, snow-clad landscapes or grassy fields, where it will really come into its own.
The Skye's significant off-road bias means the 42kWh lithium-ion battery and relatively modest 275km driving range aren't the handicap they might be in a full-on road vehicle. Instead, at 4,047mm long and 1,900mm wide, the Callum Skye's claim to fame is that its occupants sit in a fully enclosed, comfortable and refined cabin, whereas many similar ATVs have simple canopies and open cockpits.
Callum says the Skye has four-wheel drive and will have a target weight of just 1,150kg, evenly distributed front-to-back. It has a spaceframe chassis and trail-capable suspension with good ground clearance, making it highly suitable for the kind of fast off-road adventure work it is designed for, while its powerful electric propulsion system will have enough oomph to propel the Skye from 0-100km/h in around four seconds.
Full battery charge in less than 10 minutes
Its electric nature means it is a lot quieter than the internal-combustion-powered alternatives and Callum will provide an ultra-fast-charging battery for it that can be replenished from empty to completely full in less than ten minutes on its maximum connection speed.
The Callum Skye will undergo final engineering refinements during its testing phase, ahead of the exact specs and versions being made public prior to its arrival in spring 2024. Anyone who wants to register their interest should head over to www.callumdesigns.com/skye.
"I believe the Skye is truly authentic - unique in concept and presence in the market," said Ian Callum himself, head of design at his eponymous firm. "At four metres long, the Callum Skye is dramatically proportioned with a concise exterior aesthetic driven by its capabilities. It has been designed to exceed expectations: minimal mass, maximum capability - exceptionally usable and an absolute joy to drive."
And David Fairbairn, the managing director of Callum, added: "The Callum Skye addresses a void in the market, endowing discerning owners with a bold, beautifully-engineered off-road vehicle that beckons to be enjoyed, giving a sense of fun, freedom and escapism. It's an exceptionally capable vehicle with the refinement of boutique craftsmanship. And with its battery options, our ambition is for the Callum Skye to make a big impression on the industry, while ensuring it doesn't have a negative environmental impact."