Monday 27th February 2017

BAC Mono - the comeback

A 2017MY update, sales through H.R. Owen and launch control as well - here's the latest on the Briggs Automotive Company Mono

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While the newswires have been quiet of late, it's very much a case of no news being good news for the team behind the BAC Mono. Staff numbers up, 70 cars have now been sold in 29 countries and H.R. Owen has now been appointed as an official dealer. With a launch event for that partnership not far from the PH office - the cars will be sold at H.R. Owen Ecurie in Cheltenham - it seemed about time to catch up with the BAC boys.

There are some significant changes for the MY17 car you see here, including traction control and launch control plus the introduction of variable valve timing for the 2.5-litre Mountune engine. Power is still rated at 309hp and torque at 227lb ft, with 62mph claimed in less than three seconds and a 170mph top speed. The gearbox also remains as a Hewland six-speed sequential, another British component on a car that proudly boasts very few overseas parts (Sachs dampers and Hella headlights being the two that stand out).

Also new for the Mono are the optional hybrid carbon wheels, developed with Dymag; through a combination of a carbon outer rim, billet aluminium centre and titanium nuts, they save 1.5kg of unsprung mass per corner over the standard 17-inch wheels. Add the ceramic brakes too and that rises to 4kg a corner and, with both, BAC claims a dry weight of 580kg. Other changes are cosmetic - the 'Mono' logo can be woven into the rear carbon, for example - yet nothing can detract from the little BAC being a staggering piece of design. The Briggs brothers interestingly don't like the idea of calling it a track car; not only will they say this denigrates its on-road ability, they prefer to look on their car as a piece of specialist sports equipment. So in the same way a snowboard or a mountain bike look as they do for their respective sports, so a Mono looks as it does for the sport of driving.

With the H.R. Owen deal having been arranged so soon after the administration of Zenos, it's interesting to talk with Ian Briggs about how BAC can cope in such a niche market. He's adamant that the Mono offers something unique at the price point (i.e. the focus of a single-seat car, plus the bespoke nature of a BAC build) where there are "dozens" of two-seat choices. Though mindful of the market post-Zenos, Briggs says they're clear on what they're offering so that buyers can be clear on what they're buying - naturally he will tell you it's the best choice too...

There are 14 Monos in the US too; like Caterham the cars arrive partially assembled and are then rebuilt over there - Semi Knocked Down kit is what it's known as. Where this was done by a third party early on, BAC now has its own people out there to get the cars together and sold through CJ Wilson of Scottsdale McLaren.

A few more interesting points to finish on: that traction control has six modes (three dry, two wet, and off) but cannot be retrofitted to any old Monos. Where they used to be hardwired the cars are now CAN, with gearbox and dashboard communications standardised and including the traction and launch controls. A drive-by-wire throttle now allows a variety of throttle blips on downshifts (as opposed to just one with the mechanical throttle) and, yes, there really are customers clamouring for a faster version: "There's always an appetite", says Ian.

Things appear to be on the up for BAC then, and it's always nice to report on a British automotive success. The H.R. Owen deal should get them in front of a new batch of customers and probably media as well. There is of course an elephant in the room though, a Hethelump if you will. The Lotus 3-Eleven is not far off at all, cheaper than the £165K Mono with a lightweight focus, great power and outrageous circuit ability. We'll do everything we can to make the twin test happen!

[rollo]

A car for those who know exactly what they want, and can afford to indulge themselves. It doesn't have to be justified any more than buying a very expensive watch. This is automotive jewellery, pure and simple.

Me, I rather admire the man in the previous article, and his Ultima CanAm, although, again, my personal choice would (and has been) different.