Wednesday 22nd February 2012

Meet the Lyonheart K, a 21st-century E-Type

Dramatic looks and dramatic price tag for bespoke sports car

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Remember the 'Growler' that surfaced last year? No? Well it was essentially a 're-imagined' E-Type for the 21st century. And now it's officially on sale.

Gone are the googly quad headlamps and snigger-worthy name, to be replaced by sleek XJ-style lights and an equally bizarre, if somewhat less risqué moniker: meet the Lyonheart K.

Despite being the creation of Swiss design company Classic Factory, the Lyonheart K is being billed as a thoroughly British creation. "We want to make the 'Made In England' label into a truthful concept, not just a statement," says Robert Palm, CEO of Classic Factory. "Every part of the Lyonheart K is developed, engineered and hand-built in England."

This is a fair point: the cars will be hand-built in Coventry, and use the running gear from a Jaguar XKR, but with the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 tuned to make 550hp and 500lb ft of torque.

With the aluminium body weighing less than 1,600kg, that's enough to (theoretically) hit 60mph from rest in 3.7 seconds on the way to a limited 186mph.

All very nice. But it ain't going to be cheap. Order books for the first 50 cars are already open, but to get your hands on one you'll have to wait 18 months and part company with 495,000 euros (£415K). Before taxes. That's a lot of money for having to explain those wheels to everyone you meet...

[manu76]

absolutely stunning car.....

[gizard]

Err what's wrong with the 'alloys' wire wheels rather suit it don't they or is it just me? I rather like it.

[GBDG]

That has to be one of the best looking cars I've ever seen.

[Riggers]

gizard said:

Err what's wrong with the 'alloys' wire wheels rather suit it don't they or is it just me? I rather like it.

They just seem a bit much to me, is all. Different strokes, of course...

[Chilliman]

Doesn't do it for me I'm afraid. What happened to the E Type Speedster that cost around half a mill and which Clarkson raved about on Top Gear a few years back?

[Shaw Tarse]

I'll be checking the lottery results tonight!

[Streps]

That is lovely.

[GruntyDC5]

Would be in my Euro Millions garage without a doubt.

[Garlick]

My word, I really REALLY like that.

I'll take one.....if someone can lend me a few ££

[tbc]

or you could save 300k and get a Mint E-Type

[imuir]

I like it

[Mogsmex]

truly stunning

it's almost irrelevent if it works properly or not



quite possibly the best looking car I have ever seen, if I find that 415k down the back of the sofa I'll join the queue

edit : I would ditch the dodgy inlaid chrome and "L" on the frt grill though

[Blown2CV]

That is truly amazing. I do think it is a bit sad that all the best bits of our motor industry are very retro-focused but its better than not having an industry at all.

[George H]

Looks great, but not sure about the headlights, they look a bit squinty to me. Wire wheels are very cool.

I'd still rather have the original.

[Tiger Tim]

Perfection.. honestly, not a detail I'd change..

OK not true, I'd spec the interior black with grey wood. Still...

[EDLT]

Not sure about the vents on the sides. It'd be nicer without them imo.

[Dr Interceptor]

Providing I can squeeze into it, I'll take one.

Then there's just the matter of the £415k.

[lordlee]

I love that. The glass is very reminiscent of the George Harrison DB5 that has just been auctioned.

[Chilliman]

George H said:

Looks great, but not sure about the headlights, they look a bit squinty to me. Wire wheels are very cool.

I'd still rather have the original.

Ditto, I think the S1 3.8 Coupe is one of best looking cars ever made.

[PetrolAholic]

I would feel awful driving it, not being able to admire that when im in the seat!

I'd have one for my living room.... After i've won the euro millions, stunning car with some real classic lines