Tuesday 10th May 2005

ProDrive develops tiny supercar

Impreza-based missile will top 160mph

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The basis for ProDrive's tiny supercar

Prodrive is developing a supercar (isn't everyone?), based on a Subaru Impreza. But it will be tiny, barely bigger than a Ford Fiesta, according to a report by Autocar's Steve Cropley this week. Prodrive builds both the Aston Martin DBR9 GT racer and Subaru's rally cars.

The car will top 160mph but will be built using production car components, capping the price at around £40,000. Weighing some 1,000Kg, it'll be based around Subaru's well-known 2.0-litre turbocharged boxer motor, front-mounted, and generating somewhere north of 300bhp.

Conceptual information is all that available now but Autocar reports that it will have short overhangs, optimal weight distribution and be designed to be agile.

A Dave Richards project -- Richards is founder and chairman of ProDrive -- it will be finished by the end of 2005, amazingly quick, but the plan is to show ProDrive's speed and flexibility of execution.

Hmm, lightweight car, powerful engine? TVR watch out.

• Autocar's Web site

[klassiekerrally]

This sounds like something I'd like to have!

[4WD]

Sounds perfect. Hopefully the impreza link will stop short of the styling! Get a real designer involved.

[Podie]

Wasn't there a kit car out there that worked on a similar principle...?

[shadowninja]

Wasn't the Delfino a supercar based on the Impreza?

www.adamanda.org/cars/delfino/

SNAP @ Podie.

>> Edited by shadowninja on Tuesday 10th May 12:48

[Podie]

shadowninja said:

Wasn't the Delfino a supercar based on the Impreza? www.adamanda.org/cars/delfino/ SNAP @ Podie. >> Edited by shadowninja on Tuesday 10th May 12:48

That's the one…!!

Just been trawlling the 'net looking for "dolphin" … well, "delfino" is close… ish

[Podie]

Ta-da.. www.delfino.co.uk/

[robdickinson]

So does this mean the elise was based on a rove 25?

[Rob_the_Sparky]

Mmmmm very nice looking car, 4WD low weight - sounds ideal...

[Podie]

robdickinson said:

So does this mean the elise was based on a rove 25?

The Delfino uses an Imprezza as a donar car IIRC… not just the engine, but a lot of the mechanicals (4WD system) and a large proportion of the other bits; lights and interior trim for example.

[DustyC]

PH article said:

The car will top 160mph ... the price at around £40,000. ...Weighing some 1,000Kg, it'll be based around Subaru's well-known 2.0-litre turbocharged boxer motor...

Supercar?
Sportscar maybe by todays standards.

Sounds impressive though. Hope it materialises.

[NDT]

It's David Richards.... not Dave!

[petergun]

Umm, where is the article on Autocar ? I looked around ...nothing.

[Marquis_Rex]

I have alot of respect for Pro Drive in many many ways, from my dealings with them. Very dynamic.
The Australian Branch with FPV seem to be doing well also.
Hope this venture is successful....

[havoc]

Ooh, Prodrive are involved.

This'll be one to threaten Noble then.

Hope it becomes reality - the Scoob-4 has so much more character than the VAG 1.8T that a couple of specialist 2-seaters are using.

Question is - will it be a race-focused weapon a-la Noble and Exige (and LMP etc. etc.), or will it be a B-road monster like the Scoob, Evo and the lesser Elise's???

[Opposite Lock]

petergun said:

Umm, where is the article on Autocar ? I looked around ...nothing.

I couldn't find it on the Autocar website either - it is in the first few pages of the this weeks Autocar however.

Fingers crossed it makes it into production somehow!

[jaker]

Podie said:

robdickinson said: So does this mean the elise was based on a rove 25? The Delfino uses an Imprezza as a donar car IIRC… not just the engine, but a lot of the mechanicals (4WD system) and a large proportion of the other bits; lights and interior trim for example.

wasnt there also an Italian car called a superleggera?? or something using scoob bits? 2.5 litre flat 6 if i remember right...

>> Edited by jaker on Wednesday 11th May 08:50

[manek]

Opposite Lock said:

petergun said: Umm, where is the article on Autocar ? I looked around ...nothing. I couldn't find it on the Autocar website either - it is in the first few pages of the this weeks Autocar however. Fingers crossed it makes it into production somehow!

The piece is in the paper magazine. The Web site lags the magazine by a few days.

Manek
PH Editor

[shadowninja]

jaker said:

Podie said: robdickinson said: So does this mean the elise was based on a rove 25? The Delfino uses an Imprezza as a donar car IIRC… not just the engine, but a lot of the mechanicals (4WD system) and a large proportion of the other bits; lights and interior trim for example. wasnt there also an Italian car called a superleggera?? or something using scoob bits? 2.5 litre flat 6 if i remember right...

interesting. japanese internals, italian design... as opposed to that car in the 60s/70s: japanese design, italian electrics.

[jaker]

www.carsfromitaly.com/others/index.html

Osca superleggera mefinks. It was a Subaru flat 4 not flat 6 and it weighed a pesky 680kg!!

not the prettiest thing ever, but looks fab from some angles

on the Prodrive onoe being discussed, IMHO,

please please please please please Prodrive, MAKE THAT CAR!!

[nickytwohats]

Hurry up Prodrive - e-mail me tell me when!