Africa’s first hypercar designer is drawing inspiration from the past as he prepares his next chapter in electric performance vehicles. Abdesslam Laraki, the Moroccan founder of Laraki Automobiles, is developing a lightweight electric sports car inspired by one of the most iconic race cars of the early twentieth century, reinforcing Africa’s growing presence in high end automotive design.The new model, known as the Grace, takes its design cues from the Bugatti Type 35B, the car that won the first Monaco Grand Prix in 1929. Originally created as a one off electric vehicle for a Monaco based charity auction, the car generated strong international interest, leading Laraki to secure funding and move the concept toward limited commercial production.
Production of the Grace is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with only 250 units planned. The vehicles will be manufactured in Casablanca, positioning Morocco as a niche production hub for luxury electric sports cars. Designed for elegance rather than outright speed, the model prioritizes lightweight engineering through the use of carbon fiber construction, an aluminum frame and a driver focused interior. Alongside the Grace, Laraki is also developing a second electric model aimed at the high performance segment. The AEON 1 is designed to deliver hypercar level speed while maintaining a lightweight profile, reflecting a broader shift toward performance focused electric vehicles that emphasize driving experience as much as technology.
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Laraki’s journey reflects a long standing ambition to place Africa on the global automotive map. From early experimentation with vehicle design in Casablanca to formal training in Europe and an international career in industrial and yacht design, his return to Morocco marked the beginning of a rare African automotive brand focused on limited edition sports and hypercars.
Laraki Automobiles first gained international attention in the early 2000s with the Fulgura, widely regarded as Africa’s first supercar, followed by subsequent high performance concepts that appeared at major global automotive events. Over time, the brand evolved toward hypercars and now electric performance vehicles, aligning with global shifts in mobility while maintaining a strong design identity.
With production rooted in Morocco and design influenced by global automotive heritage, Laraki’s latest projects signal a forward looking vision for African automotive manufacturing. The move toward electric sports cars positions the continent not only as a consumer of advanced vehicles, but as a creator of high value automotive innovation.
