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

Glickenhaus SCG003: a millionaire's dream car?

When people like us come up with something in the car world that isn't to our taste, for example the fact that normal cars look nothing like race cars, we may grumble on to anyone that will listen for a while, but on the whole there is nothing we can do about it. When James Glickenhaus has this thought, he takes a different approach: he creates his own company in order to address this issue. Cue 'scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus' a company that seeks to minimalist the differences between his road car and his N24 racer. Both are called the SCG003, and theoretically you could change the road car into a racer by changing only the engine, gearbox and rear subframe. 

Being very close aesthetically to its racer cousin, the figures on the road car are as aggressive as the car looks. The downforce figure, for example, is 900kg. That's about 300 more than a McLaren P1 makes. And the weight is also superior to the hypercars of last year. The weight estimate is about 1100kg, considerably less than the P1 or Laferrari. The engine which will be used is still in question, with Maserati's twin turbo V8 maybe fit for the purpose. The horsepower figure is currently being given at 650bhp, but it may be more. All of these mean that the estimated Nurburgring time for the road car is about 6minutes 30seconds, which is race car fast. 

So, to sum up, a very fast car from a very rich man. Also a very large price tag for the car. Namely $2.5 million. About the same as the Koenigsegg one:1 I reviewed a while ago. So way, way out of reach for most of us. But at least it's nice to know that having money can allow you to solve your worries.

Nev

Mclaren 570s: family resemblance or cheaper twin?

So here it is: the long-awaited 'baby' McLaren, designed to sit below the 650s on the McLaren ladder. Priced at £50,000 below the 650s at £145,000, it tries to make McLaren accessible to more people while still having a family resemblance. But does it try too hard? This car has all the looks of a supercar but for less money. But with figures still definitely in supercar territory, has McLaren differentiated enough?

For starter's, its weight is about as much as a Golf GTI, with McLaren using the carbon tub chassis. This means that it weighs as much as the VW, but with A LOT more power. which obviously leads to some frightening figures. the engine is a twin-turbo 3.8 litre V8, which here produces 562BHP and 0-62MPH in 3.2 seconds. Light as a GTI with double the power? Why would you want anything else? The performance of this car puts it just faster than a 911 turbo S, but which one would you prefer? One with the looks of a sports car or one with the looks of a supercar? Hard choice, isn't it! And the engine means it will hit a 204MPH top speed.

But with figures like this, it does start to ask questions of the 650S. Is it worth £50,000 more? Have McLaren failed to distinguish their ladder? Is the 570S (I hate to say this) too good? Sales will start later in the year. I wonder how it will get on?

Nev

Bentley EXP10 speed 6: new direction or identity crisis?

Yet another controversial concept recently released was this, the Bentley EXP10 speed 6. It is extremely intriguing because it suggests that Bentley is becoming more and more interested in the idea of producing a sports car. This will be a strange new segment for a company that has always done the GT and luxury car thing. But at the moment Bentley seems to be trying to get in on various sectors that it hasn't before, and sports car is one of them.

Now let me set this out so no one is under any illusions. This car is a concept car, and as of yet there is no concrete plans to build anything like this, it just seeks to show that Bentley wants to expand their range. This could be the template for the fifth model line for Bentley, and the EXP10 speed 6 shows what a potential Bentley sports car would look like. But does the DNA of a sports car for well with the DNA of Bentley? No doubt that Bentley will want to make this car very luxurious, but that means weight, and while weight is not an issue in a luxury cruiser it definitely is in a sports car. Bentley has put all its usual work into the quality of the car, but can this car realistically compete with the likes of the Mecedes AMG-GT or the Aston Martin Vantage? We will have to wait and see.

Nev

Aston Martin DBX: new prosperity or dead end?

Another car to be shown at the recent Geneva motor show was this, the first look we will get of the upcoming Aston Martin SUV, although a look is all it will be as it isn't due for production until 2020. The purpose of this car is for Aston to be able to reach out its customer base and sell its cars in more places than before, to a wider audience than before. This SUV is supposed to increase sales of Astons to Russia, China and women. Another reason why the DBX has been created is to reduce the overall CO2 of the marque, as the DBX is targeted to be an all electric car (which can also be chosen as a V12.) as you may remember, Aston has tried to do the 'make one car produce less emissions so overall we produce less CO2' route when it launched its Cygnet city car. Obviously that car was a failure and had to be scrapped, and so here we are with a similar proposition, only in the form of a electric SUV.

This concept, which will be the base of the SUV we will see in production in 2020, promises to have all the attraction of a normal SUV (eg high ride height etc) but also with the style people have come to associate with Astons. It promises not to be as bulky or as big as some of the other SUVs (maybe the upcoming Bentley SUV?) so that more people will buy. But will this increase sales dramatically or drive people away? We will have to wait and see. And don't worry: it's a long way off

Nev

Koenigsegg Regera: The first hyper hybrid?

Oh, I do love writing about super Koenigsegg's. They are just so mad and outrageous, with every fact making you double check. As some of my loyal readers may remember, last year I wrote about the limited run Koenigsegg One:1, a car with a seriously frightening power: weight ratio. Well, now Koenigsegg is planning a car using some of the tech on the One:1, and was unveiled at the recent Geneva motor show. It's called the Regera, and believe me, the stats are even more scary.

Firstly, the looks. It keeps the traditional Koenigsegg loos but with a modern twist, looking like a modern Agera. But the people at Koenigsegg have obviously desired more power than is possibly necessary. And here comes the most shocking figure: the horsepower. Wait for it...it has all of 1800bhp. I'll just give you a minute to digest that fact. 1800. More than a Veyron by about 700. Is it really necessary. And it's a hybrid. It has a modified 5 litre V8, and also two electric on each rear wheel. The twin turbo B8 generates 1100 BHP alone, and the motors another 700. The weight of the hybrid system does mean that the 0-62 time is not as low as it could be, at a relatively sluggish 2.7 seconds. But, after 30mph, the power really takes off. Top speed? 255mph. 0-250mph? Under 20 seconds. That is insane! 

I don't think I have to say anymore. I'll just leave you with those facts again. 1800bhp, 2.7 seconds, 255mph. I hope it arrives as soon as possible.

Nev

Ford Focus RS: Future leader of the (large) hot hatch family?

Over the past few years, the market for hot hatchbacks has increased dramatically. As a continent, Europe now has something of a reputation for them. And one of the very first manufacturers for these cars: Ford. But how do you keep at the front of a market evolving so quickly? Even if you were there at the very beginning, how do you create a product that is better than all the others?

Well, here is Ford's attempt to blast back into the sector and kick rivals like the Audi RS3 and the Honda Civic Type-R back into the corner. The new Focus RS. A car that has a lot of form, and has now arrived in its 3rd gen. guise. However, Ford are currently very secretive about any figures, knowing that if they announce they are in front they are most likely to be bettered. A horsepower figure of 'At least 320' has been released, but figures like weight and 0-62MPH are not being disclosed. But perhaps the most important fact about this new car? It will be AWD. Leading many of us to reminisce about hot Fords of old. AN dont think it's going to be a flappy paddle 'box. A manual remains. The engine under the bonnet is a variant of the new Mustangs 2.3 litre ecoboost, but modified in such a way that means it will have less mid-range lag and more top-end kick. Another interesting point is the fact that the rear axle is driven by clutch packs, meaning that, if both are open, it will be 100% AWD but, as the gearing is different, it is also possible to have a 70% rear biased. meaning the possibility of big skids. And unnecessary looning around. And the time we have to wait for this re-incarnation? 2016. And hopefully soon we will know some more juicy figures.
Nev