Preview: Vuhl 05
Coming to America in the near future, the Vuhl 05 has been revealed. It is a lightweight, two-seat track car made to compete with the likes of the Ariel Atom, KTM X-Bow, and BAC Mono.
With 285 horsepower, 310 pound feet of torque, and a curb weight of just 1598 pounds, the Vuhl 05 promises to be fast on the track. Powered by a 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission, the car can scoot to 62 miles per hour in just 3.7 seconds before climbing to its top speed of 152 mph.
A pair of brothers based in Mexico City and Detroit are behind the Vuhl 05. Guillermo and Iker Echeverria combined their knowledge of design and motorsport to create a car that is lightweight, fun to drive, and a pleasure to behold.
The 05 features a stiff aluminum tub, chrome-moly steel subframe, three-stage forward crash structure, and RTM reinforced plastic body (carbon fiber is an option). It rides on double wishbone suspensions front and rear. Michelin rubber adorns the OZ alloy wheels, 17 inches up front, and 18 inches in the rear.
Also available on the Vuhl 05 are carbon bucket seats, water-resistant Dinamica suede trim, a suede, quick-release steering wheel, electronic data acquisition dash, and integral HD camera.
The Vuhl 05 will first become available in North America and the UK, with hopes of branching out into continental Europe, the Middle East, and China. Price is stated at £55,000 (about $84,000), and deliveries begin in spring of 2014.
Scroll down for more information in the official press release.
VŪHL 05 –
AN INNOVATIVE NEW LIGHTWEIGHT SUPERCAR FOR ROAD AND TRACK
AN INNOVATIVE NEW LIGHTWEIGHT SUPERCAR FOR ROAD AND TRACK
Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall, London, July 3, 2013 – the VŪHL 05 is an innovative mid-engined two-seater born of a motorsport heritage.
Guillermo Echeverria senior, the father of its designers Guillermo and Iker Echeverria, was a professional driver who built and successfully raced his own cars for 30 years. The sons inherited his passion and knowledge and added qualifications in transportation design. Guillermo Junior has direct experience of the performance car industry, while Iker won the Mexican QUORUM Industrial Design Award in 2007 when still a student – he was not only up against fellow scholars but senior designers, agencies and universities.
The brothers subsequently formed their own Mexico City/Detroit-based design agency, ETXE, which having worked on projects for numerous global brands then penned the 05 – a lightweight supercar for road and track in the vein of the BAC Mono, Ariel Atom, KTM X-Bow etc.
Said Iker: “Our background means the VŪHL 05 has been developed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. We were determined to create a highly intuitive machine that was both stirringly fast and immense fun to drive – a car we ourselves would want to own. We have endeavoured to endow it with class-leading ergonomics and a contemporary silhouette of striking proportions, and the aim of uncompromising build quality has underpinned the project since day one.”
Chassis/body
The 05’s monocoque weighs in at a mere 78kg, while the dry weight of the entire car is a very competitive 695kg. The chassis comprises a three-section bonded tub constructed from aluminium extrusions and aluminium honeycomb – aerospace technology that endows the 05 with a remarkably high level of torsional rigidity for optimum handling. Bolted direct to the passenger cell is a chrome-moly steel subframe housing the engine and rear suspension. A three-stage forward crash structure and double layer sidewalls provide a matchless level of protection for the occupants. The standard body is made from RTM reinforced plastic, but carbonfibre is an option. The aero features include a flat underbody, front and lateral splitters, rear diffuser and rear spoiler.
The 05’s monocoque weighs in at a mere 78kg, while the dry weight of the entire car is a very competitive 695kg. The chassis comprises a three-section bonded tub constructed from aluminium extrusions and aluminium honeycomb – aerospace technology that endows the 05 with a remarkably high level of torsional rigidity for optimum handling. Bolted direct to the passenger cell is a chrome-moly steel subframe housing the engine and rear suspension. A three-stage forward crash structure and double layer sidewalls provide a matchless level of protection for the occupants. The standard body is made from RTM reinforced plastic, but carbonfibre is an option. The aero features include a flat underbody, front and lateral splitters, rear diffuser and rear spoiler.
Engine/performance
Power comes from a 2-litre version of Ford’s award-winning DOHC turbocharged EcoBoost engine, the output of which is 285bhp and 420Nm of torque, giving a power to weight ratio of 400bhp per tonne. This results in a 0-100kph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 245kph.
Power comes from a 2-litre version of Ford’s award-winning DOHC turbocharged EcoBoost engine, the output of which is 285bhp and 420Nm of torque, giving a power to weight ratio of 400bhp per tonne. This results in a 0-100kph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 245kph.
Transmission/steering
The engine drives through a six-speed manual gearbox. Steering is by a high ratio rack and pinion system.
The engine drives through a six-speed manual gearbox. Steering is by a high ratio rack and pinion system.
Suspension/brakes
The suspension is by unequal length double wishbones front and rear. Braking is by four-pot alloy callipers all-round, operating on 310mm ventilated cross-drilled discs at the front and 280mm units at the rear.
The suspension is by unequal length double wishbones front and rear. Braking is by four-pot alloy callipers all-round, operating on 310mm ventilated cross-drilled discs at the front and 280mm units at the rear.
Wheels/tyres
The 05 rides on OZ alloy wheels shod with Michelin tyres; the sizes of which are 205/45 x 17 front; 235/45 x 18 rear.
The 05 rides on OZ alloy wheels shod with Michelin tyres; the sizes of which are 205/45 x 17 front; 235/45 x 18 rear.
Interior
The unique specification can include: carbon bucket seats; 330mm quick release water-resistant suede-covered steering wheel; electronic data acquisition dash; integral HD camera; and water-resistant Dinamica suede trim.
The unique specification can include: carbon bucket seats; 330mm quick release water-resistant suede-covered steering wheel; electronic data acquisition dash; integral HD camera; and water-resistant Dinamica suede trim.
Dimensions
|
Width
|
1876mm
|
|
Length
|
3718mm
|
|
Height
|
1120mm
|
|
Wheelbase
|
2300mm
|
|
Ground clearance
|
110mm
|
|
Dry weight
|
695kg
|
|
Kerb weight
|
725kg
|
|
Power to weight ratio
|
400bhp/tonne
|
|
Weight distribution
|
37/63 (front/rear)
|
Pricing/availability
Orders are being taken now for delivery beginning in the spring of 2014. Pricing will start from c.£55,000 (plus tax, plus shipping). There is a wide range of performance options available to allow the 05 to be upgraded to personal taste.
Orders are being taken now for delivery beginning in the spring of 2014. Pricing will start from c.£55,000 (plus tax, plus shipping). There is a wide range of performance options available to allow the 05 to be upgraded to personal taste.
Initial sales will be confined to the UK and North America (dealers are currently under appointment in both countries), but the intention is to make the car available in the other key European countries, China, Middle-East etc in due course.
For further information visit www.VUHL05.com.
Shop
Most Popular
