Bulgarian car manufacturer Alieno has just unveiled its debut model – the Arcanum. The all-electric two-seater, two-door hypercar allegedly sports 3840 of power, 8880 torque, 2.64hp/kg and has a top speed of over 488km/h.
Clues to the inspiration for both the company and this model can be found in the names. ‘Alieno’ is the Italian word for ‘alien’ and ‘arcanum’ refers to secrets and mysteries. So it’s no surprise that it is claiming to be futuristic.
In fact, Alieno is claiming a lot of things.
“Alieno Arcanum is an all-electric hypercar from the future with a brutal technical superiority, which is in the basis of the DNA of the brand ALIENO,” said Ahmed Merchev, founder, CEO & CTO of ALIENO and chief constructor of Arcanum.
“This our first debut model, expresses clearly the mission of ALIENO to create hypercars with alien technologies from the future into the present. Alieno Arcanum does not follow the rules, but it creates new ones, providing an extremely exciting driving experience and enjoyment. By this, it touches not only the senses, but also your soul. Moreover, considering the intelligence of the car achieved through the ALIENO artificial intelligence systems built into it, it is like having at disposal your own alien, being your guide, your guardian and who teaches you how to reach its full potential, while driving it.”
Merchev has a background in developing and manufacturing electronic and robotic devices. According to LinkedIn he has been the founder & CTO of a Kibertron, which developed a humanoid robot, as well as the founder & CTO of Blisstool, which made hobby metal detectors.
Now Merchev is in the luxury auto business.
Chief Test Pilot and Chief Sales Officer Ivan Kirov also claims that the Arcanum, being both robotic and all-electric, is the most powerful hypcar that the worlds has ever seen. So powerful, that it was a challenge to make it work.
“…we had to utilise this power, in such a way, that it could be used by the car and the driver. What would be the use of a car, which has so much power, but you can use only a fraction of it. Or if it would be too dangerous or difficult to drive. And here comes the biggest challenge in creating this car, as we had to make sure we were creating a user friendly car, which is drivable. Not only drivable, but also pleasant to drive. Easy to drive, smooth, fun, enjoyable, safe or simply flawless. Superior in every way, to what we have seen or driven so far. Just perfect. Everything in this car happens logically. The maximum acceleration is easily achievable, by anyone who buys the car. The car is the safest one on the road in any term. It is amazingly stable and maneuverable. The braking is smooth and also logical. It feels like a normal car for anyone who drives it. Of course, it is the fastest one as well, whenever you want it. The biggest challenge was to make the car behave like a normal car, so it can give the most driving pleasure to anyone and thus help to provide the highest safety.”
These guys are talking a big game, especially for a first-time car from a company that was only founded it 2015 and hasn’t release any images or video proving the stuff that it claims to do.
Four models of the Arcanum will be available, the RP5 (5221 HP), RP4 (4351 HP), RP3 (3481 HP) and RP2 (2610) — with the RP5 being the flagship. To handle all that speed, the Arcanum comes with an ordinary braking system, as well as an air brake and an air brake parachute as an option.
They also have up to 24 type AC three-phase axial flux electric motors that, according to the press release, “provide the current technological maximum as power and torque per unit weight and volume, since they combine very high power with very high torque of the electric motor in very low own weight and low volume of the electric motor. They have almost unlimited life span and maximum torque from 0 all the way to their maximum rpm.”
In addition to three basic driving modes (street, track, race) the Arcanum will also have Alien Artificial Intelligence (AAI), which is referred to as “The Alien”.
“In reality the car is an “alien” (“alien robot”, “intelligent robot on wheels”), who assists the driver, prevents him from making mistakes and teaches him how to improve his driving skills, habits and style, with the sole purpose of being able to explore and use the full potential of the car,” the press release states.
When it comes to charging, the Arcanum offers several options — wireless inductive, 3-phase 22 kW on-board and 350 kW DC Combo (CCS). There is also a 400 kW DC CHAdeMO option available.
“With a 350 kW DC Combo (CCS) charging station, from 0 to 100% SoC (State of charge), the SBP battery is charged for 30 min, the TBP battery for 20 min, and the RBP battery for 10 min,” says the press release.
“Furthermore, the battery is designed in such a way, that with a special ALIENO DC charging station (900 kW DC for the RBP battery, 1800 kW DC for the TBP battery and 2700 kW DC for the SBP battery), designed and built by ALIENO upon customer order, it can be charged from 0 to 100% SoC for 4 min, and from 0 to 80% SoC for 3.2 min.”
There’s no firm release date for the Alieno Arcanum as yet, but pre-orders are open for the hand-made vehicles with a 18 – 30 month delivery time. In terms of pricing, customers are looking at
750,000 Euros for the RP2, 1,000,000 Euros for the RP3, 1,250,000 Euros for the RP4, and 1,500,000 Euros for the RP5.
Direct price conversions are usually superfluous when it comes to cars, but to give you a rough idea — the RP5 will be pushing $2.4 million before you calculate import taxes and on road costs.
Since there has been so much alien talk, my main take away from the Arcanum is — I want to believe. If these cars are as awesome as the manufacturer says they are, I want in. But I require evidence.
So far all we really have to go on are specs and accolodes from the makers themselves and some concept art. They need to release something more concrete before I put any faith in the new kids on the block.
You can read more details about the Alieno Arcanum right here.