Alfie

After 12 months of highly secretive development, the Caparo T1, which looks and performs like a Formula One car, will be launched in the summer with a new and more powerful engine than previously mooted. The higher specification is reflected in a launch price for the T1 of £180,000 plus taxes.


The bespoke lightweight, all aluminium V8 has a higher capacity of 3.5 litres and is now normally aspirated. The engine has a mass of less than 100kgs and can produce power outputs of up to 200 bhp-per-litre. As the T1 will maintain its nominal 500kg kerb weight this means the potential for power-to-weight ratios far exceeding the 1,000bhp-per-tonne previously announced.

The Caparo V8 has been designed from scratch and is comparable to Formula One and Indy race car specifications. It will be built from parts sourced from within the Caparo group of companies and central to its concept is its ability to use alternative, sustainable fuels; a factor important to Caparo for future applications.

"This new engine allows us many exciting options for the future, both for the car and the company," said Richard Butler chief executive Caparo Vehicle Products. "It will further help us to implement the vehicle lightweight design philosophies necessary to reduce greenhouse gasses being sought by high volume carmakers."

Ben Scott-Geddes operations director at Caparo Vehicle Technologies and the car's co-designer added: "The new engine now delivers both the performance and reliability we're looking for in the T1, the two key factors vital to our customers when running this type of car."

Sean Butcher commercial director at Caparo Vehicle Technologies said: "Given the high engine output, increased power-to-weight ratio, advanced hybrid chassis design and ultra-efficient aerodynamics the T1 offers exceptional value for such an exclusive world class vehicle ... and quite extraordinary standards in performance, handling and safety."

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The Emperor

Unbelievable!

Thanks for posting this, Christian! I'm not a big fan of this car, but what's in above quote definitely deserves all the praise!

martinbo

I admire the concept, I understand the principles behind it and I bet that it's going to be one of the best driving experiences around...

But I can't help but think: this looks daft for a road car.

KTM X-Blade shows how it should be done in the looks department.

Imhotep Evil

Great news.

Now where's that Veyron WIMP. Just put them on the same track and it will butcher it.

Imhotep Evil

Supreme F1 principle : "Form follow function/ruthless efficiency above everything".

Beauty is in winning ploes, races and above all championships. In this case butchering Veyron and Co.

Bruce

As an overall road car, the T1 doesn't grab my interest from me. Still, it's 8 cylinders packed into a go-kart.

Alfie

Good point Imhotep!

I love this car to death, it's not as special as the Zonda or awakes my emotions as the Zonda either. But sheer driving experience is a pritority in my book. And this car puts that first!

But the concept did look better.

Imhotep Evil

The hardtop will probably look better. As for the driving experience, for the every day non open wheel professional driver, the thing this car will subject the body to can be described as by words such as torture and rape.

To really drive this "car" will need months of physical preparations and advanced driving lessons.

Imhotep Evil

It will be much more then a go cart.

Bruce

You make it sounds as If I am down playing the T1 by calling it a "go-kart"

It's merely an expression, referring to it's size and weight as a "go-kart"

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