Thursday 22nd December 2005

New lightweight sportscar arrives

Aquila brings compact, old-style open-top motoring

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The Romero version Mille Miglia version Interior fairly sparse The Julietta version

There's a new sports car on the block. We Brits never seem to tire of making sports cars using the tried and tested formula of a steel chassis topped with GRP body panels, and the Aquila is no exception.

The swoopily-styled Aquila, which sits on a ladder-framed chassis, has more than a hint of Morgan about it, with a hint of Bugatti in there too.

Motive power consists of a Ford Zetec, DOHC, eight-valve, EFI engine, although other engine options include a four-pot, a straight-six and a Rover V8 -- though you have to wonder where the V8s will come from. It's not that quick though, with the Ford motor rated at 130bhp offering zero to 60mph in some 6.7 seconds and a top whack of 120mph.

The interior looks fairly basic but is designed, in the words of the company's press release, so that "creature comforts are ensured and craftsmanship is visible in every tight fitting joint and in the cockpit’s luxurious styling. Truly built for fast touring in the grand manner, the interior cradles one in crafted comfort."

Tech specs

• Chassis: Semi-monocoque perimeter frame with 100x50x3.2mm sealed box section main rails and a mix of 14 and 16 gauge steel bulkheads.
• Body: Unstressed GRP nose scuttle, bonnet, rear section and bolt on wings. 12-gauge aluminium double-skinned, steel-framed doors.
• Front suspension: Ford Stub-axle and lower track-control arm, 20mm tie bars, and AVO mini McPherson struts. Fully adjustable.
• Rear suspension: De-Dion with four equal length one-inch, 14-gauge trailing arms, and a Panhard rod. Avo adjustable coilspring damper units. De Dion tube 23/4-inch outer diameter DOM tube with 12 degree bend.
• Engine option: Four cylinder straight six, V6 and Rover V8.
• Engine fitted: Ford Zetec, DOHC, 8-valve, EFI with catalytic converter.
• Transmission: Ford MT75, five speed manual gearbox.
• Wheels / tyres: 7x14" alloys rims fitted with 185/65/14-inch radials. Optional 15-inch rims.
• Weight: approx. 750 Kg

Now owned by Milan Mladenovic, who bought the company from Don Burt, the Aquila is built in new premises in Rainham, Essex. We're trying to get more information out of the company -- such as the price -- and as soon as we do, we'll let you know.

It launches in April.

• www.aquilasportscars.com
• More about the original Aquila

[ozzie dave]

Nice to see the old Marlin still around , I seem to remember it was up for sale

[simpo two]

Nice apart from the windscreen surround, which appears to be stolen from a child's swing.

[Fire99]

simpo two said:

Nice apart from the windscreen surround, which appears to be stolen from a child's swing.

Yep the surround does look a bit er chunky!

I think its quite cool though.. and it only weighs 750kg so a small hairdryer should proppel it fairly nicely!

[chickensoup]

[quote]
The swoopily-styled Aquila, which sits on a ladder-framed chassis, has more than a hint of Morgan about it, with a hint of Bugatti in there too.
[/quote]
I hope that was an accidental cut & paste from the press release
Old spartan kit anyone

[annodomini2]

Article said:

Motive power consists of a Ford Zetec, DOHC, eight-valve, EFI engine

I thought ford don't make an 8 valve zetec!(certainly not twin cam)

Article said:

Engine option: Four cylinder straight six, V6 and Rover V8.

WOW! that must be some unique engine Four cylinders but six inline pistons.

Article said:

It's not that quick though, with the Ford motor rated at 130bhp offering zero to 60mph in some 6.7 seconds and a top whack of 120mph.

Thats about right for that kind of power to weight, what were you expecting Elise type performance?

[grahambell]

As ozzie dave says, this is basically the old Marlin, as revised by Yorkshire Kit Cars.

If I remember right, reason for the chunky windscreen surround is to provide some rollover protection. Wouldn't fancy putting it to the test though.

[dick dastardly]

The wheels don't quite fit. Couldn't they use some classic style ones to match the rest of the car?

[Fire99]

Yeah i think the wheels could do with being Wire Spoke equivalent or something..

And the interior i think should be more TR6 type effect. Bit too plasticy..

But saying that.. for a bit of chilled out, wind in the hair, motoring i recon for the right money it could be a good crack!

[Cotty]

Dont like that grill, makes me think of female anatomy

[LuS1fer]

I like it.

[agent006]

Crikey. And people say the new BMWs are ugly.

[mikedavis1]

Ugh!

[apache]

Do people still buy these things?

[bounder]

The comment about the Aquila looking like a cross between a Morgan and a Bugatti is most definitely not culled from the press release. I have it on good authority (and personally agree) that the Aquila in all its three offerings is a heritage borrowing in styling from the golden era of the 1930s Zagato bodied Alfa Romeos.

Spartan interior? I guess if you require a plethora of plastic cupholders, air conditioning and plastic wood in your cockpit - that could be a reasonable judgement. For those who like ample legroom, comfortable seats and a no leak environment it more than suffices.

From a performance point of view it is a well mannered road touring sports car and not designed as a track machine. You will have fun with it on a track - but it should not be judged by such criteria.

[LuS1fer]

bounder said:

the Aquila in all its three offerings is a heritage borrowing in styling from the golden era of the 1930s Zagato bodied Alfa Romeos.

You'd never guess from their cunning use of the word "Julietta". And I still like it.

[trackcar]

hmm .. I don't ilke the way PH press poo-poo stuff like this .. keep comments like *it's not that quick though* out of these things .. 0-60 in under 7 seconds is quick enough for 95% of people anyway. From 130bhp it's very good.
Styling maybe not *quite* right but certainly will stand out among the euroboxes at the station car park or parked up outside the local country watering hole too. Ironically the old Marlin was one of my favourite styled cars of this type The Spartan however was awful
Assuming they get the pricing right I can't see why it shoudn't attract a steady stream of nostalgia type buyers .. I've always thought the idea of golden-era looks and modern mechanicals a winner .. obviously YKC do too .. I like it

[grahamw48]

agent006 said:

Crikey. And people say the new BMWs are ugly.

They are....

and so is that thing.

[docevi1]

grahambell said:

As ozzie dave says, this is basically the old Marlin, as revised by Yorkshire Kit Cars. If I remember right, reason for the chunky windscreen surround is to provide some rollover protection. Wouldn't fancy putting it to the test though.

YKC have now sold up to another company...

[Parrot of Doom]

I like it. I can just see myself chugging around Blighty with a Thermos flask in the boot.

I want one. Seriously, I like it

[Tony427]

This is a Marlin with just another name and as such has a few drawbacks. I know I built one.

It's a bit narrow in the cockpit, the windscreen is for seeing over not through, the bootspace is virtually nonexistent and I can only hope the handling on modern coilovers is a bit more stable that the Marina based version I had. I wouldnt do over 80mph top end however as the cycle wings give the front end a lovely "floaty" feeling and you lose the steering feel as the front end takes off!!

Having said that I kept it for 7 years, had tremendous fun with it, with chromed wire wheels the looks are classically timeless and its a great introduction into kit car replicas........

Cheers,

Tony