Elemental RP1: just another light weight road racer?

As most people will already know, England is fast becoming a breeding ground for start up companies intending to make cars that are lightweight, track cars which are also road legal. There are already companies such as Ariel that have begun life this way. And here is another such company, which hopes to break into the pocket rocket market: Elemental, a company which consists of 6 people, made up of engineers, designers and business specialists. And here is the car itself: the RP1. A car that is three years in the making.

With cars like this one, normal reviewing rules do not apply. Engine size and horsepower are a lot less significant in this sector. So the RP1's 280BHP Ford ecoboost turbo four cylinder is hardly likely to get you frothing at the mouth. However, the things that do matter with these cars are things like weight. And aerodynamics. And, maybe the most important, the power to weight ratio. And in this department the RP1 looks like a much tastier prospect. The impressive new chassis, made by an ex McLaren employee, is a carbon and aluminium 60 kg job, which is very innovative. What is more impressive is the estimated 500BHP/ tonne power:weight ratio, which is very akin to that of the Ariel atom. And this car has two seats, not one. And a 580kg weight helps the RP1 a 0-60 mph time of just 3.1 seconds. As a new company, Elemental know that they won't immediately be shifting thousands of units, and that is why their sales projections are at 40 units per year, ideally. And, by having two seats as opposed to its rival the BAC mono, it is already ahead in my mind!

Nev