Monday 25th January 2016

Avatar Roadster details

Just in case you hadn't found a £30K track car that you like yet!

---

What with the Focus RS and the 911 Turbo in the past few days, it has taken a little longer than usual to mop up any remaining Autosport show stories. Frustratingly the Avatar Roadster was missed in our laps round the NEC, but it's a car worthy of PH attention.

Nothing but the basics inside

Avatar is the track and race division of Marlin Sports Cars and the spec of this Roadster makes for interesting reading. It's offered with either the 2.0-litre or 2.3-litre Ford Ecoboost turbos, the power outputs rated at 250 and 350hp. With a kerbweight of 700kg, Avatar claims a 0-60mph time of 3.9 seconds for the 250hp car and a 150mph top speed.

Standard equipment that will appeal to track day goers includes a Quaife limited-slip diff, adjustable suspension with Nitron dampers and a Tilton pedal box. There's a five-speed manual for the 2.0-litre car and a six-speed with the 2.3, plus a host of tyre, brake and suspension upgrades that can be added to either model. For those wanting to compete in the Roadster there's a roll cage, six-point harness, HANS-prepped seat and fire extinguisher on the options list.

No mistaking it for anything else at least

As for testing, the Avatar team have completed 1,200 laps of Castle Combe and promise that "Consumers expect to drive to a track day, thrash around all day and come home again without wielding the spanners." There will also be a 'Tailored' session for every customer, where the car is corner weighted and set up for their individual driving style. It's covered by a three-year unlimited mileage warranty, and the engine can be serviced at Ford dealers too.

Now for that elephant in the room. The Avatar probably isn't the prettiest British sports car you've ever seen. That being said, track cars more than any other should subscribe to the 'function before form' school of design. It may be enough to put some off, but if you're choosing a track car on how it looks then they're probably not for you.

Prices for the Avatar Roadster start at £29,450 for the 250hp car, with a £5K premium for the 350hp version. Four orders have already been placed, with first deliveries due in May. It's certainly one way to stand out in a paddock full of Caterhams and Atoms!

 

[Pekwah1]

How have they managed to make a car that looks so good from the front but so shocking at the rear?
The ends just don't seem to match to me, plus proportions seem wrong from the side...

Not a bad price tag though for someone in the market, but personally i'd just get myself a caterham or similar!