If anything, we can thank the EV era for bringing innovation to the forefront. The rise of independent manufacturers has demonstrated that money truly can buy just about anything in the automotive world and that, in matters of taste, the people holding that money are always right. When drivers customize their muscle cars, it’s considered both engineering and artistic. Jeep ducking builds community and allows for individuality at the same time.
It stands to reason that an electric vehicle innovator should be allowed to build whatever vehicle calls to them, aesthetically speaking. That is precisely what Olympian Motors has done. The company describes itself as such: “We bring aesthetics, color and lifestyle back… Olympian blends timeless design, minimalism, and nature.” But what does that all mean? Let’s take a closer look at unraveling the nature and design of Olympian Motors.
What’s the Deal with Olympian Motors?
According to its press information, Olympian Motors was founded in 2021 in Brooklyn, New York. Since its founding, the company has added offices in Malibu, California, and Detroit, Michigan. Co-founded by Eren Canarslan, who was previously employed by Ford, and Jasmine Sungu, who has a financial consulting background, Olympian Motors has created several prototype all-electric vehicles, each of which is strikingly different. In addition to its commitment to a strong aesthetic, Olympian also leans into sustainable materials, including post-industrial recycled (PIR) materials. It also promises battery efficiency comparable to a Rivian or Tesla Model 3.
What Products Does Olympian Motors Offer?
The Model 1 is a suitable tribute to the rounded, rocket-shaped silhouettes of the Art Nouveau period. Think of the Monopoly car style in a sedan body. Offered in both two-door and four-door configurations, the front-wheel drive Model 1 has seating for four passengers. Pictures and videos of the interior show a few dials and knobs across the dashboard, but the surface is largely a continuous piece of what Olympian Motors assures us are “sustainably and responsibly-sourced” exotic woods.
The Olympian Motors Model 1 sedan also has something American drivers haven’t seen on a regular basis for quite some time now: a screen-less dashboard. Instead of screens, the Model 1 is equipped with an augmented-reality head-up display. No further details about the feature are currently available, but this technology has the potential to change how we think about safety and driver assistance tools.
The Model 84 is considered an SUV, but it offers numerous opportunities for customization. Not only can drivers choose between a two-door or four-door model, but they can also select an open-top, soft-top, or hard-top cabin. The interior is described as “configurable,” and several promotional videos and images show two rear bench seats positioned along the sides, facing each other, behind the front seats, evoking a classic Land Rover feature.
As with the Model 1, there are very few interruptions to the Model 84’s wooden dashboard. Unlike the Model 1, the Model 84 is constructed from right angles and flat surfaces, giving it a boxy appearance that has already gained more than a few comparisons to Lego toys. Both the Model 1 and the Model 84 are available for purchase in California, New York, Florida, and Texas.
What Kind of Power and Performance Figures Has Olympian Shared?
The information Olympian has shared with the public so far is quite promising. While we’re not looking at land speed record-type figures, both the Model 1 and Model 84 have posted some reasonable numbers. The Model 1 makes the trip from 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds, which is in the same ballpark as the 2025 Cadillac Escalade or Mini Cooper S Convertible. The Model 1’s top speed is 140 mph. The 84 kWh battery provides a maximum range of 305 miles.
Information surrounding the Model 84 is somewhat unclear, with the Olympian website simultaneously confirming 0 to 60 mph times of 8.1 seconds and 6.5 seconds. Different sections of the same spec sheet list the battery range as 300, 305, or 310 miles. Charging information is also sparse during the pre-production phase, but charging capability at Tesla stations is expected.
The Olympus EV Skateboard Kit
With a base price of $40,000, the Olympus kit is available for immediate purchase. What the kit contains is up to you. In essence, the Olympus Kit is a fully customizable electric vehicle platform. Just like the chassis trucks of days gone by, the basic kit contains a chassis, a battery, a seat, a dashboard, and wheels. For an additional charge, an Olympian Motors technician will assist you in setting it up.
True to its word, the Olympus Kit can be customized from the chassis to the wheels. You’ll have the choice of a 42kWh/155-mile battery, a 54kWh/191-mile battery, or a 72kWh/255-mile battery. The skateboard has impressive qualifications, with a maximum load of 7,720 lbs and a top speed of 126 mph. Colors and features can either be “default” or “custom,” the details of which are presumably discussed in greater detail once the $1,000 deposit has been paid.
Technically, the Olympus Kit Skateboard is not street legal, and Olympian Motors specifies its target market as “innovators, developers, and businesses looking to build the future of electric mobility.” Therefore, it appears that this particular product serves as a starter kit for individuals seeking to design their own electric vehicle, but lack the means to manufacture their own platform.
The Controversy
There’s no evidence specifically pointing to Olympian Motors being anything more than a start-up EV company in the early stages of producing its prototype vehicles. However, with companies like Canoo, Fisker, and Sono Motors disappearing before they even began, it’s reasonable for drivers and investors to be skeptical of a new automotive manufacturer. The fact that Olympian is committed to high-tech, high aesthetic, highly customizable, minimalist, ethically sourced, and exotic products has also raised a few eyebrows. Many of these words seem contradictory or curious, at the very least. Can you really say there are no screens if augmented reality is on board?
What does an aesthetic mean if comfort is sacrificed? There are no mentions of sound systems or seating, although it’s reasonable to anticipate that these features will also be fully customizable. However, the experience of cruising, of truly connecting with an automobile, often has a feel and a sound that go beyond bare wood. Some critics believe that the absence of these details, along with the conflicting figures posted on the website, indicates that the company may not be a sound investment.
Will Olympian Motors Take Over the Auto Industry?
In many ways, it’s hard not to root for the underdog. There’s also nothing wrong with customization. Since the dawn of luxury automobiles, manufacturers of high-end marques have allowed full control over details such as wood grain color and seating softness. Offering the same services to EV drivers seems completely reasonable, especially for an up-and-coming manufacturer with a dedication to design.
As of this writing, there have been few sightings of the Olympian Motors Model 1 or Model 84 outside of automotive and technology shows. Test drives are available only in select locations and can only be purchased by individuals residing in the specified states. It’s safe to say that while Olympian Motors could be the next big trendsetter, the company needs time to grow and establish itself in the market. Then, who knows? Maybe we’ll all be customizing our cars in the future.
