We were impressed when Mate Rimac stuffed a massively powerful electric powertrain in an ‘86 BMW 3-series, giving it 900 horsepower and a 0-60 time of 3.3 seconds.

Well, he’s outdone himself this time.

Working with a group of 20 engineers outside of Zagreb, Croatia, Rimac put together an all-new, all-electric supercar called the Concept One. With 1,088 horsepower, it can reach 62 mph from standstill in 2.8 seconds and just keeps going up until 190 mph. Range is around 370 miles. The body is made of carbon-fiber, and the interior is designed by a team formerly with Pininfarina.

Sure, that’s impressive, but we’re most intrigued by the drivetrain. Like many high-end EVs such as the Jaguar C-X75 concept, each wheel is powered by a separate electric motor, independently controlled by its own inverter and reduction gearbox. Rimac calls it All Wheel Torque Vectoring, and the setup offers unparalleled vehicle dynamics at the limits and while accelerating out of corners.

In Rimac’s view, one we’d like to see more gearheads adopt, EVs aren’t just ways to appease government regulators, greenwash a product lineup or earn CO2 credits. In fact, they’re often superior to internal combustion engine-powered cars for high-performance motoring. “I believe that the electric motor is a much better machine compared to the ICE, in almost all aspects, especially for a sports car,” he said.

Should you be inclined to agree, you better look out for a reservation list. Rimac promises to build 88 units, with deliveries starting in 2013.

Photos: Rimac Automobili