Designed together with Toray Industries Inc, the AR.1 is the result of a commission from Toray for Gordon Murray Design to design, tool and build a fully functioning prototype vehicle which utilises many of Toray’s advanced automotive materials.

The 2-seater sports car is designed to use the Toray carbon fibre component system with a process time of less than 10 minutes. A carbon monocoque, one of the key technologies of Teewave, can be applied to any type of vehicle and not just 2-seater sports cars.

The entire programme from concept discussions to running vehicle took just 9 months and uses the powertrain from an existing commercial electric vehicle (thought to be Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV), whilst the unique electrical architecture and control units used in the AR.1 were developed from scratch by Gordon Murray Design.

As you would expect of Murray, a great deal of attention has been given to achieving low weight, with a low centre of gravity and suspension geometry providing an excellent ride and handling balance. The AR.1 weighs just 850kg (including the 240kg battery) putting the car firmly in Lotus Elise territory and some 400kg lighter than a Tesla.

Ultimate performance is limited by an output figure of 63bhp (47kw) but a torque of 133lb-ft (180 Nm) available from a standstill is said to provide lively acceleration.

Murray said, “It has been a pleasure to work with Toray Industries’ team on this challenging project. The resultant vehicle weight of just 850Kg achieved using Toray’s carbon fibre once again proves that performance through light weight is the most efficient and environmentally friendly way to achieve power to weight targets.”

All the performance targets for the project were met by the team, but they’re unlikely to generate much praise at the moment whilst such a modest powerplant is used. Let’s hope it eventually receives the kind of power to embarrass a Tesla in more than just its performance on the scales.

Speaking at the Volkswagen Group pre-event gathering, Winkelmann confirmed the 995 kg model will use the same 562 bhp engine as the LP570-4, resulting in a 0-62 mph time of around 2.5 seconds.

There is no word on pricing yet, but expect it to match the Sesto Elemento’s gargantuan performance and echo the $1.5 million previously asked for the Reventon.

This month, Alfa Romeo celebrates 101 years of motoring, and the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed (1-3 July) will help mark this occasion by playing host to the UK public debut of the mid-engined Alfa 4C Concept, the latest evolution in Alfa Romeo design and technology.

Representing the essence of an Alfa Romeo sports car: performance, Italian style and technical excellence, the Alfa 4C Concept offers the classic formula of a two-seater, mid-engined, rear-wheel drive coupé.

Lightweight materials such as carbon-fibre and aluminium are used extensively throughout. These solutions, used in conjunction with a powerful 200bhp 1750 TBi 4 cylinder petrol engine coupled with the new automatic Alfa TCT twin dry clutch transmission, and Alfa DNA dynamic control selector, allow the 4C Concept to deliver a set of eye-catching performance figures: Top speed 155mph, kerb weight under 850kgs, 0-62 mph in under 5 seconds, and a power-to-weight ratio of 235 bhp/tonne.

Alongside the Alfa 4C Concept on the Alfa Romeo exhibition stand will be an array of the Italian marque’s UK product range, including another UK public debut − the updated Alfa MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde, together with the Alfa Giulietta Cloverleaf and the Alfa 159 Sportwagon.

From L to R: Alfa Romeo 33 TT 12, Alfa Romeo 6C 3000 CM, Alfa Romeo 750 Competizione

While celebrating the future of Alfa Romeo at this year’s Festival of Speed, the marque will also be embracing its rich past, by showcasing five iconic cars from the Alfa Romeo museum collection in Italy. These automotive legends include Fangio’s Alfa 6C 3000CM, which alongside the Alfetta 159, will celebrate the 60th anniversary of Fangio’s historic 1951 Formula One World Championship title, as well as the Alfa 6C 1750GS, Alfa 750 Competizione and the Alfa 33 TT 12. Spectators at the Festival will be able to see the cars in action over the three day event, and they will be on display in the Cathedral Paddock area.

In the Supercar Paddock, Alfa’s 8C Spider will be turning heads as it makes its way past the crowds, up the historic Goodwood Hill. In addition to a traditionally strong presence at the Festival of Speed, Alfa Romeo will also be exhibiting at the Goodwood Moving Motor Show.

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Thanks to Audi ultra lightweight technology, the flagship version of the high-performance open-top sports car has trimmed a full 85 kg from the already low weight of the R8 V10 Spyder, and as a result weighs in at just 1,640kg, all of which helps it to accelerate from zero to 62mph in 3.8 seconds and to reach a top speed of 197mph.

Visual modifications accentuate the styling of the R8 GT Spyder. These include additional contrasting titanium grey trim elements, a front splitter with a dual lip, flics at the sides of the front bumper, red GT badges, round exhaust tailpipes, an enlarged diffuser and dark LED tail lights in a clear-glass design. An optional windscreen frame in matte CFRP is also available.

Audi engineers also trimmed weight from the technical components in the transmission, wheels and brakes. In the interior, the bucket seats alone, with their chassis of glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP), saved 31.5 kg.

In classic Audi fashion, the R8 GT Spyder features a lightweight fabric soft top that is said to be extremely quiet even when motorway cruising at high speeds. Its electro-hydraulic drive raises or lowers it in 19 seconds at speeds of up to 31mph. The powered retractable glass rear window is nestled in the bulkhead, separate from the soft top. The bulkhead also incorporates a rollover protection system comprising two pre-tensioned plates.

If you’re interested in getting hold of one for yourself, you can formally register your interest in a right-hand-drive version at your local Audi Centre or by visiting the audi.co.uk web site from today. Order confirmation will begin later this summer ahead of first customer deliveries in early 2012. UK pricing has yet to be confirmed, however with a price of €207800 in Germany, you can expect it to be at least £165,000.

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China is an extremely important market for Lamborghini, achieving over 150% sales growth in 2010 compared to 2009, although after the recent spectacle of a disgruntled Chinese owner destroying his Gallardo (see below) we wonder if Lamborghini should vet their customers more closely before letting them buy a car.

Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, said: “Our presence at Auto Shanghai 2011 reflects the importance of the Chinese market, which is now our second most significant after the USA. The appeal of the Lamborghini brand in China is illustrated by the launch here of the Gallardo LP 550-2 Tricolore: definitively Italian, and with all the performance and handling a Lamborghini Gallardo promises. Demand for our cars continues to grow: our worldwide order book for the Lamborghini LP 700-4 Aventador is already eighteen months ahead of production.”

In 2011 Lamborghini will expand its dealership network in China from 14 to 20 dealers.

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This latest Supersport model is derived directly from the race car that competes in the highly-successful Caterham Supersport championship, the road-going edition borrows all of the track version’s performance essentials and then, for good measure, is fine-tuned for the road.

Caterham Cars engineering director, Mark Edwards, said: “The SP/300.R was our first brand new model for 15 years. But the Supersport is all about our roots. The Seven was born out of motorsport and this new model illustrates the values – accessibility, affordability and unadulterated fun – that have made Caterham the iconic brand it is today and which will ensure the Seven’s continuing global success.

“We’ve built faster and more powerful accelerating cars before, but the Supersport’s character, value and low running costs have generated a machine that will excite sportscar fans, including those on a budget.”

Priced from £19,995 (incl tax) in self-build form, the 140bhp Supersport carries a Caterham Motorsport-tuned 1.6-litre Ford Sigma engine, five-speed ‘sprint’ ratio gearing, lightweight flywheel and race-prepared suspension with CR500 Avon tyres on 13” wheels. The Supersport like other Caterham models promises a raw and unadulterated driving experience, which will be at home both on the road and on the track.

Equipped with a motorsport-honed limited-slip-differential and gearing with sports driving in mind, the Supersport also features uprated springs and dampers borrowed directly from its race car cousin, stiffer anti-roll bars, track biased dash with integrated change up lights and an aero screen. Composite race seats and a four-point race harness instead of standard seat belt complete the track-inspired experience.

Factory-built, the Supersport will cost £22,995 with enthusiasts able to purchase one in component form for £19,995. Weighing in at just 520kg, the 140bhp Ford powerplant will propel the Supersport from 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 120mph – making it more than quick enough for most people’s capabilities.

The Caterham Supersport Championship represents the third rung of its ‘motorsport ladder’ and is Caterham’s fastest-growing series. With 14 rounds over seven race weekends, the championship heads to the new Snetterton 300 circuit on 24-25th April.

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Now depending on your viewpoint, either the sales rush to buy Lamborghini’s £220,000 (€255,000) flagship is a sign of growing economic confidence or due to perfect timing of its launch, just when those hard-working bankers received their bonuses.. Maybe it’s a sign that Lamborghini priced it too cheaply, given that its nearest neighbour Pagani is asking three times as much for the similar performing Huayra.

If the sight of the Aventador has proven too tempting to resist then you might like to visit Lamborghini’s microsite www.Aventador.com, which contains the usual content found on most automotive microsites including the window-shopping wonder that is the configurator. Here you can explore all the LP700-4 colours and trim options, then picture yourself sweeping along open roads of the Route Napoleon heading towards a relaxing lunch in Nice..

The microsite features full technical specifications, standard equipment, options and a full directory of official Lamborghini dealerships around the globe, so if you’re feeling flush you could then pick up the phone and order your own Aventador – provided you don’t mind the 18-month wait.

“Interest in the Aventador has been unprecedented and we have orders for far more than one year. Before customer deliveries begin in the second half of 2011, customers and brand enthusiasts can visit the Aventador microsite to receive a glimpse into the wealth of personalization opportunities available with the new V12 super sports car,” said Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.

“Although we prefer to leave the complete customization process to a one-on-one experience with a Lamborghini retailer, the microsite is the perfect interactive tool for enthusiasts who want to test different options and styles for a truly personalized Lamborghini.”

Thankfully Lamborghini were thoughtful enough to exclude a ‘Buy Now’ shopping cart on the site, otherwise I’d have already purchased two – Grigio Antares metallic with Terra Antiope + Nero Ade leather for the daily drive, and Giallo Orion pearl effect with Giallo Taurus + Nero Ade alcantara trim for the weekend.

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Ah, but what’s the catch? The Mono is described by its makers as “…a lightweight, ultra high performance, road legal sports vehicle designed and manufactured using the latest racing technology.” Sounds a lot like the £200k+ Caparo T1, but unlike the Veyron-humbling Caparo the Mono will cost a far more affordable £80k – or in other words on a par with KTM’s X-Bow.

Just like the X-Bow, BAC’s Mono uses unconventional materials such as soft-texture Neoprene, but unlike KTM’s lightweight special the Mono seats just the driver in true ‘single-seater’ form. The design of the Mono is more ‘organic’ than the X-Bow with sculpted, sleek, organic forms used to provide an emotional, human connection with the mechanical elements of the car.

And whilst ‘form follows function’, the designers of the Mono have managed to create a truly beautiful looking car at the same time.

Mono is constructed using high-strength carbon fibre composite around a steel safety cell. The cell is designed to offer maximum safety featuring a FIA compliant steel rollover structure, a sophisticated side impact structure and a front carbon crashbox.

Powering Mono is a longitudinally mounted 2.3 litre, 280 bhp four cylinder power plant provided by Cosworth. Coupled to that engine is an F-3 spec 6-speed sequential gearbox from Hewland.

Suspension is a fully-adjustable pushrod suspension with damping elements made by SACHS Racing. Fitted with 295mm ventilated discs, with AP Racing brakes providing stopping power.

Tyre manufacturer Kumho has used their vast experience in motorsport and road cars to develop a special rubber compound for Mono, which is designed to work with the low weight and optimised pushrod suspension.

Performance and price

At just 540kg, Mono is on a par with the Caparo T1′s unladen weight, but with only half the power it’s likely to be nowhere near as fast. Mind you, 520 bhp per tonne is still more than ‘twice’ that of a BMW M3, so I can’t see anyone complaining about the Mono’s performance.

A car which covers the 0-60mph increment in 2.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 170mph, is likely to be more than quick enough for the road.

The on-the-road price of the Mono including all the taxes is ₤80,790 with first deliveries expected in approximately 12 weeks. BAC will be putting the Mono on public display during the summer months but have yet to confirm the venues, so as soon as we hear further, we’ll let you know.

BAC – the company

BAC (Briggs Automotive Company) Ltd is the British manufacturer of Mono, formed by brothers Neill and Ian Briggs together with Guy Harvey, Murray Adams and Joel Allison.

It’s a small but highly experienced team, with Neil having previously worked for Bentley and Ford (as Engineering Manager on the Focus RS), whilst Ian has been a designer for the likes of Mercedes Benz and Porsche.

There’s a passionate team behind the BAC Mono, with realistic expectations, and we wish them well with their new venture. Judging by the initial response to the Mono, they’re well on their way to forging a niche for themselves in the highly-competitive lightweight sports car segment and filling the void left open by the likes of Caterham.

For more information visit the BAC website or contact them on +44 (0)1477 531 002.

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The 4C Concept combines performance, Italian style and technical excellence to create a thoroughly contemporary interpretation of an Alfa sports car in 2011. Alfa describe the 4C Concept as being equally at home on the road or the racetrack, lending credence to the expectation that it will be lightweight and agile, rather than a GT tourer like the 8C.

The 4C Concept will deploy every day Alfa Romeo technology, such as the Alfa DNA system, a 1750 cc Turbo Petrol engine and a TCT transmission.

Agile and compact are the essential characteristics of the 4C Concept which, thanks to its light weight, achieved through extensive use of carbon fibre, guarantees exceptional speed. A vehicle that screams Alfa, with its sporty soul and unique driving sensations.

Design

The 4C Concept is distinguished by exceptionally graceful and clean lines, within its compact dimensions. In some respects the 4C Concept apes the current Lotus Elise, based on a rear-wheel drive coupe format, two seats, approximately 4-metres in length and sitting on a wheelbase of less than 2.4-metres.

The design, by the Alfa Romeo Style Centre, takes characteristics and traits from the brand’s most iconic models and interpreting these within a contemporary and unique design.

The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept also introduces a new colour, “Lava Red”, a natural combination of black and red – deep and vibrant at the same time. Lava Red is an anodised ‘soft touch’ red from a paint that creates depth and power. The colour moves on the vehicle’s curves, from splashes of fire red to deep black, like burning metal which has just been forged.

Driving dynamics

The 4C’s engine is connected transversely and centrally and with an unladen weight of just 850 kg, the chassis remains agile and driveable on the most challenging of roads.

The chassis supports a body crafted completely from carbon fibre, inside which there is space for the driver and passenger, while the rear frame structure and the crash boxes make extensive use of aluminium. The result is a weight/power ration of less than 4 kg/HP.

The 4C’s weight distribution is 40% front / 60% rear, enhancing its agility when turning into corners. It’s equipped with a sophisticated ‘high quadrilateral’ front suspension with MacPherson struts at the rear.

Performance

The 4C Concept is powered by a 4-cylinder 1750 cc engine providing 197 bhp, combined with Alfa’s latest generation automated twin dry clutch transmission, ‘TCT’. With just 850 kg the 4C can accelerate from 0 – 62mph in less than 5.0 seconds and reach a top speed of more than 155 mph.

The engine, which is already in use within the Giulietta QV, is positioned at the centre of the rear of the vehicle and integrates perfectly with Alfa’s DNA technology platform. The 4-cylinder engine boasts direct fuel injection, dual continuous valve timing and a turbocharger with a scavenging control system which eliminates turbo lag.

The 4C Concept reignites Alfa’s sporting traditions when agility and power/weight ratio are the keys to a successful racing car.

Should the 4C Concept reach production – and we’re pretty sure it will – the renaissance of Alfa as the most sporting of automotive brands will finally be on a path that needs no excuses.

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Three colours are available in specialized and highly sophisticated matt finishes within Lamborghini’s AD Personam programme – Nero Nemesis, Bianco Canopus and Marrone Apus.

Well, it’s a good job Lamborghini brought along 3 cars to show at the Geneva Show.

The pictures below show the Aventador in Pearlescent White, Arancio Argos and Grigio Estoque. Spoilt for choice, eh?

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