Melling to launch £100,000 supercar

Monster 700bhp to deliver stunning performance

Al Melling -- yes, that Al Melling -- is due to launch a new car in November, according to this week's Autocar.

The car, to be called the Melling Hellcat, is to be a £100,000 supercar with 700bhp delivered by a 6-litre V10 -- and it's at the late prototype stage now. Block and heads are milled from solid billets of aluminium rather than cast -- sound familiar (see story link below)?

It'll be in a familiar format: front-engined, rear-wheel-drive using a carbon fibre monocoque body and chassis, independent wishbone suspension and a six speed trans-axle said to be inspired by the Chevy Corvette. Its weight will be some 1,200Kg and, as a result, performance is likely to be stunning, with 60mph coming up in an F1-rivalling 2.8 seconds, and a Vmax of 200mph-plus.

Only 50 a year will be produced by Melling Consultancy Design's factory in Rochdale, Lanacashire, and they'll be sold through one national dealer. Not luxurious, the cabin will be race-inspired with deep bucket seats, harnesses and carbon trim.

He also plans a GT1 version to challenge Astons, Vipers and Corvettes at Le Mans in 2007.

This week's Autocar magazine has pictures.