It is possible, however, that a more “raw and focused” off-road version will be made later, to meet customer demand.
The Skye is also likely to be offered with the option of a battery capable of ultrafast charging – from empty to full in just 10 minutes.
The plan is an evident nod to a partnership Callum already has with Nybolt, the Cambridge-based advanced battery maker that promises light weight and long life from its lithium-ion batteries, as well as very fast charging.
The two firms recently collaborated on a futuristic reworking of the original Lotus Elise to showcase the potential of this technology. If things go according to plan, the Callum company wants to make as many as 50 Skyes at its Warwickshire facility.
No price has yet been calculated, but it is understood the partners are aiming at around £100,000 as a target figure.
Q&A with Ian Callum, Callum’s design chief
Did you consider a sports car as your first own-brand product?
“We did but decided it would be a bit predictable. We settled on something that would show our versatility, and that we’re about all kinds of vehicles, not just one.”
How many Skyes will you make?
“Clearly it depends on demand, but it’ll be dozens, not hundreds. We’re funding the first prototype ourselves, so we have four or five months’ hard work ahead to get it on the road.”
Will you make more bespoke Callum cars?
“That’s our intention. The Vanquish project was something we did to prepare ourselves for the phase that starts with Skye, doing our own projects. We don’t want just to be an agency for other brands. We have a way of creating simple but beautifully crafted cars with special detail design.”
Would you do the next one in bigger numbers?
“There’s lots to do before we get to that kind of decision, but if things go well we could imagine making our own cars in batches of up to 1000. David, Adam and I have been doing this car creation thing together for quite a few years. It’s not a mystery to us; we know our capabilities.”