Ian Callum Unveils The Skye: An EV Built For Thrills
by AutoExpert | 11 December, 2024
Ian Callum, the legendary designer behind some of the world’s most iconic cars, has revealed his company’s first all-new creation: the Callum Skye. This sleek electric sports car is designed to be as capable off-road as it is on-road, all while keeping its weight to just 1150 kg, making it one of the lightest EVs around!
To start with, the Skye’s interior is all about functional elegance. The centerpiece is a minimalist console with rotating dials for controls like air conditioning—a nod to the Bugatti Tourbillon’s design. There’s also a compact touchscreen for infotainment and traditional printed dials displaying essentials like range and battery health.
White leather upholstery covers the seats, while orange 'Vitamin C' accents from Scotland's Bridge of Weir add a fresh touch. The car seats four, with two bucket seats upfront and a simple rear bench. Next year, a more rugged interior option will make its debut.
As one already guessed, the Skye is built for adventure. A rugged steel spaceframe mounts its lightweight composite body, providing ample ground clearance and a robust independent suspension system. It’s powered by two electric motors—one on each axle—producing 247 bhp and 221 lb-ft of torque. A 42 kWh battery delivers a 170-mile range, making it quite practical.
Buyers can choose between two versions: an off-road model with 100 mm of suspension travel and a higher ride height or an on-road version designed for a smoother, more luxurious ride.
Launching in summer 2026, the Callum Skye will have a production cap of 50 to 250 units annually. Expected pricing ranges from £80,000 to £110,000, positioning the Skye in competition with the Ariel Nomad. Unlike most carmakers, Callum plans to test the Skye in plain sight, skipping the usual camouflage. “We don’t have competition,” Ian Callum confidently said. “It’s a unique product.”
Callum envisions the Skye as an ideal companion for the West Coast of America, calling it “a sand car, a mud car, an off-road car.” The design draws inspiration from rally cars, focusing on delivering sharp steering and responsive suspension for a thrilling drive, whether on the road or trail.
The Skye is a major step forward for Ian Callum’s company, following the success of bespoke projects like the redesigned Aston Martin Vanquish. Callum dedicates his small yet passionate team of 20 to the creation of exquisitely detailed, limited-production cars. According to him, this is just the beginning!
With its bold design and adventurous spirit, the Callum Skye is more than just a car—it’s a statement of intent from one of the world’s most celebrated designers.