first images: dyson reveals the design of cancelled £500m electric car

first announced in 2017, the dyson electric car project bit the dust back in october 2019. but, for the first time, james dyson has finally revealed the design of the cancelled EV in an interview to the times. as well as unveiling the first images, the inventor conceded that he invested £500 million GBP into the tesla-rivalling project, before pulling the plug on the seven-seater SUV before a prototype even took to the tarmac.

code named N526, the dyson electric car was said to have a 600-mile (965 km) range per charge. that is way above the tesla model S’ 379 miles (609 km) and model X’s 314 miles (505 km). this is thanks to the british brand’s proprietary solid-state batteries that could sustain performance ‘even on a freezing february night, on the naughty side of 70 mph on the motorway, with the heater on and radio at full blast’.

despite weighing 2,600 kg, the car could race from 0 to 62 mph (100 kph) in 4.8 seconds and to a top speed of 125 mph (201 kmh). this was due to its twin 200 kW electric motors that produced 536 bhp and 480 lb/ft of torque. although never taken to the roads, sir james dyson said he had driven the prototype around a secret compound.

all images courtesy of dyson via the times

the first pictures of N526 have revealed a sporty looking SUV, which measures five meters long, two meters wide and 1.7 meters tall. its all-white body contrasts dramatically with its blacked out greenhouse, proposing a futuristic design that does not too dissimilar to a range rover in shape or an enlarged polestar in surface treatment. this all sits on top of huge wheels. inside, the interior features thin and firmly upholstered seats with segmented cushions and rounded headrests, which all aim to offer better lumbar support. a clean dashboard – integrated with lots of storage drawers – transfers all driving information to a ‘floating’ head-up display instead.

in his interview with the times, sir james dyson revealed that he invested £500 million GBP into the electric car project, meaning each model would have had to cost £150,000 GBP to break even. the brand is open to the idea of supporting other car manufacturers with their more efficient and compact solid-state batteries in the future. however, for now, they will be sticking to making vacuums and hairdryers until car making becomes commercially viable.

project info:

brand: dyson

code name: N526