Varley evR-450: Australia’s First Electric Supercar Unveiled

Voltage Legacy - When people think of high-performance supercars, Australia might not be the first country that comes to mind. For decades, roads across the country have been dominated by legacy models like the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon—muscle cars that define Australian automotive culture. But innovation never stays still, and the shift toward cleaner, high-performance electric vehicles is now making waves down under. Leading that charge is a surprising and bold creation: the Varley evR-450, hailed as Australia’s first electric supercar.

The first Australian electric supercar, Varley evR450 is built from the aluminum block frame and carries on the lithium-ion battery system and a series of modern electronic equipment. (Picture from: Autoevolution)

Reportedly built on the American Superlite SL-C kit base, the Varley evR-450 likely remained a prototype—but one that arrived with ambition far ahead of its time. Its sleek, purposeful design and groundbreaking performance marked a huge leap for an industry not traditionally associated with EV innovation.

The Varley evR450 introduced in Newcastle, New South Wales in the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Varley Group on December 2, 2011, marks a new turning point in the development history of the Australian brand. (Picture from: Carscoops)

The Varley name might be unfamiliar to most car enthusiasts, and understandably so. This company wasn’t born from racing heritage or global auto shows, but from a background in industrial and military engineering. The Varley Group had long specialized in creating bodywork for airport ground support vehicles, not high-speed electric supercars. Yet in 2011, they made an unexpected and exciting debut at the 3rd annual Australian Electric Vehicle Conference in Brisbane. The result was a head-turning prototype that instantly sparked attention.

The Varley evR450's lightweight aluminum monocoque chassis, developed in collaboration with Ultramotive Technologies, formed the structural backbone. (Picture from: VarleyGroup)

This wasn’t just a styling exercise or a concept built for show—it was built to perform. The evR-450 accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds, placing it firmly in the same league as world-class names like the Bugatti Veyron. Although electronically limited to a top speed between 180 and 200 km/h for road safety, it's believed the car could theoretically reach up to 300 km/h. Clearly, this was no ordinary EV. | Vx0oKjsINNk |

What truly set the evR-450 apart was its engineering. Its lightweight aluminum monocoque chassis, developed in collaboration with Ultramotive Technologies, formed the structural backbone. This platform housed twin ironless carbon core electric motors—designed for peak efficiency and minimal weight—delivering the kind of power expected from a proper supercar. Energy management came via Tritium’s advanced Wavesculptor inverter system, ensuring optimal performance from battery to wheels.

The Varley evR450 is the first Varley supercar to be powered by electric drive technology and made in Australia. (Picture from: AutoPro)

Powering the evR-450 is a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack mounted at the rear, offering a driving range of up to 160 kilometers on a full charge. Charging the battery takes approximately eight hours via a standard 15A household outlet, with a fast-charging option also available for added convenience. While the range may seem modest, it was more than enough for a vehicle designed to combine raw power with zero-emission motoring.

The evR450 is believed to be running two Ultramotive CARBON motors, each with a peak power rating of 150kW ( and 522Nm of torque) and each offering continuous power of 58kW (122Nm). (Picture from: NewAtlas)

Understanding the diversity of driver needs, Varley also developed a second version—the evS-450. This slightly tamer variant takes 4.6 seconds to reach 100 km/h and tops out at 160 km/h. Mechanically similar but tuned for less aggressive performance, the evS-450 caters to those seeking a clean, stylish electric ride without the full race-bred acceleration. The plan, the evS-450 was available for order starting in January 2012, with the higher-performing evR-450 following shortly after.

The Varley evR-450, features a rear-mounted 24 kWh lithium-ion battery that delivers a 160 km range per full charge. (Picture from: RareCarOnly)

While the evR-450 may have remained a prototype, its significance goes beyond production numbers. This vehicle marked a bold shift in what Australian engineering could offer the world—proving that innovation isn’t limited to traditional automakers. With support from local partners and suppliers, the Varley Group demonstrated that high-performance electric mobility could be conceived, designed, and built in Australia. And with a targeted price of AUD 200,000, or around 1.8 billion Indonesian rupiah at the time, the evR-450 aimed at a niche yet discerning market eager to embrace the future of driving.

The Varley evR450 needs eight hours to charge the battery with a standard 15A power source at home, office or public power stations.. (Picture from: ObscureSupercar on X)

As the global auto industry accelerates toward sustainability, the Varley evR-450 remains a powerful reminder that innovation can emerge from the most unexpected places—and that even a quiet contender can leave a lasting impression in the world of electric performance. Yet, to this day, sightings of this electric supercar on public roads remain elusive, as it exists only as a single prototype whose current whereabouts are unknown. *** [EKA [09022014] | FROM VARIOSUS SOURCES | VARLEYGROUP | AUTOEVOLUTION | MOTORAUTHORITY | CARSCOOPS | RARECARSONLY | NEWATLAS | AUTOPRO | AUTOTUNI.RU | OBSCURESUPERCAR ON X ]

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