RE: Vuhl 05 revealed

[nathanmcauley121]

I'm no photography expert, but if you are going to take a picture of people standing around a car that has been "unveiled" take the picture immediately after the cover comes off to capture at least some ooos and aghs.

Everyone in this photo looks bored and underwhelmed.

[soad]

sixspeed said:

Looks suspiciously like it is based on a K1 Attack??

Spot on!

[P4ROT]

Daniel1 said:

vtec engine in a van.

I have a cunning plan...

[glyn430]

Ariel Atom 600bhp per tonne circa £45k or this 400bhp per tonne and £60k plus the Atom looks 10 times better for me its a no brainer!!

[Lordbenny]

It's not really for the UK market. The US and a LOT of the rest of Europe dont have much it the way of track day specials. Shirley, it would be better to market it where Radical, Atom, Westfield & Caterham are still not really known about.

[n1tut]

Don't call me Shirly.......

tut

[TinyCappo]

I really want this for some reason! ASBO Orange or Electric Blue though.

[odyssey2200]

no mention of European Type Approval.

[xRIEx]

odyssey2200 said:

no mention of European Type Approval.

At 50 models a year?!

[odyssey2200]

xRIEx said:

odyssey2200 said:

no mention of European Type Approval.

At 50 models a year?!

So the only way to register one would be through IVA, which would just about rule out sales in mainland Europe.

[xRIEx]

odyssey2200 said:

xRIEx said:

odyssey2200 said:

no mention of European Type Approval.

At 50 models a year?!

So the only way to register one would be through IVA, which would just about rule out sales in mainland Europe.

Do continental European countries not have a low volume manufacturer approval process?

I believe they could get IVA'd and registered in the UK, then exported to Europe.

ETA there must be something because I know UK kit car manufacturers supply to European customers.

Edited by xRIEx on Wednesday 3rd July 21:26

[odyssey2200]

xRIEx said:

odyssey2200 said:

xRIEx said:

odyssey2200 said:

no mention of European Type Approval.

At 50 models a year?!

So the only way to register one would be through IVA, which would just about rule out sales in mainland Europe.

Do continental European countries not have a low volume manufacturer approval process?

I believe they could get IVA'd and registered in the UK, then exported to Europe.

In theory, you can.

The chap that imported TD2000s to the UK sold a car to an Italian company with the ideal of them selling the cars there.
Eventually, I believe they managed to register the car in Italy but the authorities went out of their way to make it as difficult as possible to the point that the guy decided to not sell them in Italy.

AIUI Mastretta are going down the ESSTA route, which is what is causing the delays.

[MrTappets]

It's nice enough I guess, but if I were in the market I think I'd want to go either properly lightweight (aka Atom or Caterham) or a little more usable (aka Ginetta G60 or Exige). Seems to sit in a bit of a no-man's land along with the X-Bow

[odyssey2200]

MrTappets said:

It's nice enough I guess, but if I were in the market I think I'd want to go either properly lightweight (aka Atom or Caterham) or a little more usable (aka Ginetta G60 or Exige). Seems to sit in a bit of a no-man's land along with the X-Bow

Not sure where the BAC mono sits in there either.

All are very focused, not practical and expensive.

[ceebmoj]

Oz83 said:

Looks alright I suppose, but would it cost that much more to have put a proper windscreen and a removable hardtop/section on the thing?

But I suppose once they do that, it ceases to become a rich mans 'toy' and will get compared to real cars.

It would cost a lot more to fit a screen and roof because then you need doors. Doors get you twice because added complexity and then the sides of the tub cant be as high.

[mybrainhurts]

Would look nice in my bathroom...

[ItsaTVR]

Greg_D said:

Stirling moss really is shameless in what he will endorse nowadays, isn't he. He will go to the opening of an envelope if the money is right....

Hmph... we wasn't even invited...

[MonkeySpanker]

At first I was all



Then I was all

Edited by MonkeySpanker on Thursday 4th July 07:39

[DoctorD]

odyssey2200 said:

So the only way to register one would be through IVA, which would just about rule out sales in mainland Europe.

VUHL are indeed following the IVA route, and contrary to the comments above, the UK is their primary market followed by NA.

At yesterday's launch Guillermo spoke about the challenges of homologating windscreen, doors etc but has a screen/wipers option being developed for launch.

[bobberz]

Lordbenny said:

It's not really for the UK market. The US and a LOT of the rest of Europe dont have much it the way of track day specials. Shirley, it would be better to market it where Radical, Atom, Westfield & Caterham are still not really known about.

I assure you, they are known about in the enthusiast community (who are the target demographic). We get Radical, Ariel, and Caterham here, though the Atom is the most common. I know of quite a few Atoms in my area. Then again, I live in an area with a relatively high concentration of wealthy enthusiasts who can afford a $60-100K toy with no amenities. Radical isn't street legal in America, so you usually have to go to a track to see one, but I happen to live within ten or so miles from their official U.S. distributor.

As far as the Vuhl: fantastic car, terrible name. I like the fact that it actually has some bodywork; reminds me of the RenaultSport Spider, but with way more power! With big power, light weight, and a MANUAL transmission, it seems like they designed it specifically with PHers in mind (apart from the turbo which some will decry, but I don't mind).