
Bulgarian-based maker of hypercars ALIENO has unveiled its ARCANUM all-electric hypercar, which in its top version has power of 5,221 hp (3840 kW), 8,880 Nm of torque, a top speed of over 488 km/h (303 mph).
The name of the brand is derived from the Italian word “alieno”, which means “alien”, because, as its founder/CEO/CTO and chief constructor Ahmed Merchev says it, he has a mission to “create hypercars with alien technologies from the future into the present.”
The name of the model comes from the Latin word “arcanum”, which means “the secret of the secrets”. It is based on innovative ALIENO technologies and know-how and is a 2-door / 2-seater robotic all-electric hypercar.
“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. 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,” Ahmed Merchev said in press release.
Based on their power, ALIENO ARCANUM is available in the following 4 versions: RP5 with power of 5,221 hp, RP4 with power of 4,351 hp, RP3 with power of 3,481 hp and RP2 with power of 2,610 hp. Where RP stands for “Raw Power”, while the corresponding number after it (5, 4, 3, 2) shows the approximate power of the version in thousands of horsepower.
The power and torque output comes thanks to ALIENO’s direct drive powertrain, which features a minimum of three and a maximum of six electric motors (depending on RP) powering each wheel. These motors are powered by ALIENO’s own battery made from a combination of Graphene LiPo cells and supercapacitors. Buyers can choose from three different batteries, each with a different role. The 180-kilowatt-hour Street battery pack provides maximum range at 1,020 km (634 miles), while the 120-kilowatt-hour Track battery is optimized to allow for several miles on the track and not much else. The 60 kilowatt-hour Race battery is used to shed the most amount of weight from the car. Depending on the battery used, the ARCANUM can run one to three full laps of the grueling 12.9-mile Nordschleife circuit at the Nürburgring on a single charge.
Acceleration times and other dynamic characteristics will be announced additionally.
According to its purpose, each of the versions is available in 3 basic modifications: STR (Street),
TRC (Track) and RCE (Race), whose basic dynamic characteristics are the same, but only differ by standards/homologations they meet.
The STR (Street) modification, is a street-legal car (a car approved for use on public roads) with global homologation.
The TRC (Track) modification is a track day car (car intended for use on a track) and does not fall under any restrictions, which are normally required by any homologations.
The RCE (Race) modification is a race car optimized to cover the requirements of specific race championships, while ALIENO is even prepared to modify the car to meet the requirements needed for the heir of LMP1 category of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and FIA World Endurance Championship, immediately after the rules of the championship allow participation in it of an all-electric hypercars, powered by batteries.
The maximum voltage of the battery is 800V, as it is designed to provide huge power, where in the SBP variant it can reach up to 11.7 MW continuous power and 23.4 MW peak power. Furthermore, the battery is capable of absorbing huge power during charging and regenerative braking, reaching up to 2.7 MW in the SBP variant.
The battery consists of few ALIENO Plug & Play interchangeable modules, as the car automatically adjusts its parameters according to the number and the status of the installed modules. It is possible to install different number of modules, with the idea of providing different capacities between the three base variants of the battery. In this case, according to the desired number of battery modules, “the alien” guides the user, where exactly he should place the modules, in order to achieve maximum stability and lowest center of gravity of the car, and of course achieving optimal weight distribution between the front and rear axles.
The minimum capacity of the battery that needs to be available to reach the maximum power of the car is 30 kWh for the RP5 version, 25 kWh for the RP4 version, 20 kWh for the RP3 version and 15 kWh for the RP2 version, which provides opportunity for significant optimization of the weight and the dynamic characteristics of the car on a track during track days and races (by installing just the number of battery modules required for the particular purpose).
The ALIENO Plug & Play interchangeable modules, also provide an option for easy replacement and upgrade of the battery with a new one. They have multiple built-in safety and security systems. ALIENO ARCANUM has several different options for charging of the battery, including a wireless inductive, 3-phase 22 kW on-board and 350 kW DC Combo (CCS). Optionally available is also 400 kW DC CHAdeMO.
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. 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.
ALIENO ARCANUM can be equipped with few different versions of the interior, details of which will be further revealed. Among them, there are futuristic designs, as well as more moderate and classic designs, which will be available for all other models of ALIENO. The goal is to provide optimal choice for each customer, as when it comes to the interior space of the car, where the ALIENO customer will spend most of his time, he is not restricted with only one interior, that he may not like, but has the option to choose from few different ones, according to his own personal preferences. The interior is made from ALIENO pre-preg carbon-fiber details, leather and Alcantara.
In addition to the battery and variants and interior trim, customers can also choose their own wheels, rear wing, steering wheel, seats, and other components that ALIENO will reveal later. Each car is hand-built at the company’s factory in Bulgaria.
ALIENO ARCANUM is available for pre-orders at the following base prices: 750,000 EUR for the RP2 version, 1,000,000 EUR for the RP3 version, 1,250,000 EUR for the RP4 version and 1,500,000 EUR for the RP5 version. The delivery time varies from 18 to 30 months, depending on the chosen modification (STR, TRC or RCE) and other options chosen by the customer.