Thursday 12th November 2015

Zenos E10 R confirmed

New Zenos variant promises 'large increase in power' over already rapid turbocharged E10 S

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With 200hp and a 700kg kerbweight the Zenos E10 is rapid. The turbocharged S version with 250hp and a near doubling of torque seriously so. Just how quick is a new R version, teased in this video, going to be?

We don't have any numbers yet, just a short teaser video with some glimpses of bodywork and soundbites from the development team. "When we first did the 200hp it was quick. We then put the Ecoboost in and it was ballistically quick. And now this is just the same difference again," says development man Chris Weston with an appealingly mischievous grin.

The news Ansar Ali left the business in August may come as a shock but, as co-founder Mark Edwards says, "he remains a shareholder and supporter of the business." Ali did a great job of presenting a public face for Zenos, not least when he dropped by PH with little more than a plan hatched with Edwards and a Powerpoint presentation. But Edwards, Weston and the rest of the team are keen to show the original plan of steady evolution of the E10 platform remains very firmly on track, the R the next step.

"The pinnacle of the E10 range will stay true to the Zenos philosophy of low-cost ownership, offering maximum performance and affordability," says Edwards in this initial release, promising further info to come. We said from the start the E10 platform felt capable of handling way more than the power it started out with; with the R we look forward to seeing how far it really can go. Watch this space!

Watch the video here.

 

[V8 FOU]

Amazing!
These guys are really doing it. I met the team some while ago at Brands, and they were so engaging and polite.

I really wish them every success!

[Tickle]

If I ever change from my Elise as a weekend car a Zenos will be a serious contender. They are doing a good job with their products, future plans and publicity.

Well done gents

[djt100]

The problem is to me it looks like MX5 based kit car. Why do people try so hard to be different then make a truly ugly car

[Fetchez la vache]

djt100 said:

The problem is to me it looks like MX5 based kit car. Why do people try so hard to be different then make a truly ugly car

Seen one in the flesh?

[WMP]

What happened to Ansar Ali?

Whilst I admire their spirit, I suspect (and wait to be proven wrong) that a Caterham will always trump a Zenos.

And marketing comments like "Is it indulgent? Is it insane? THIS... THIS... THIS... etc." are just a bit contrived for my liking.

[Fury1630]

djt100 said:

The problem is to me it looks like MX5 based kit car. Why do people try so hard to be different then make a truly ugly car

Well, it has a wheel in each corner & two seats, lights at the front & the back - struggling to see any more MX5 similarities. The MX, being front engines is a "cab aft" design, the Zenos is "cab forward" so not even the proportions are similar.

I have a friend with one, it's a fantastic car.

[Fury1630]

WMP said:

Whilst I admire their spirit, I suspect (and wait to be proven wrong) that a Caterham will always trump a Zenos.

At a "Car Limits Day" in October my friends Zenos - at the time about a week old - was easily a match for Caterhams, Westfields, Tigers & my Fury.

[Fittster]

WMP said:

Whilst I admire their spirit, I suspect (and wait to be proven wrong) that a Caterham will always trump a Zenos.

What are the advantages of Caterham over a Zenos?

[chris_speed]

Can't wait til they put a roof on one...

[skidskid]

What does it offer over a Caterham? Well firstly, its not a Caterham. Or an Elise. Thats a big selling point, its something different. Its as fast as the more normal ones and its cheaper for what you get. It also has more of a "proper" car feel. Thats a big point for me, its why I dont have a Caterham.

There have been a few of these on the track days I've done this year and they are fast, good looking in the flesh, well built and not to expensive.

When they do one with doors, a roof (hopefully targa) and some luggage space i'll trade my VX220 in for one.

[RedTrident]

chris_speed said:

Can't wait til they put a roof on one...

I'm waiting to see a roof version too. As soon as it's firmed up properly and we start to see some prototypes I'll have a deposit down.

[kambites]

Are these things small-volume type approved or do they have to be IVA'd to use them on the road?

[cerb4.5lee]

djt100 said:

Why do people try so hard to be different then make a truly ugly car

I wish the company well and take my hat to them for bringing an alternative to the market but I am in the same camp and when I read the review of the S I just couldn't believe how ugly the thing is.

Appreciate I haven't seen one in real life and maybe it is a looker but from magazines it just looks laughable bad.

[kambites]

I like the styling - it's vastly better looking than the Alfa 4C everyone seems to drool over, IMO.

[framerateuk]

skidskid said:

When they do one with doors, a roof (hopefully targa) and some luggage space i'll trade my VX220 in for one.

I'm waiting for one of these too. An E11S or R would be a very nice prospect. Elise price tag with Exige performance? And something a little different to boot.

[djt100]

Fury1630 said:

djt100 said:

The problem is to me it looks like MX5 based kit car. Why do people try so hard to be different then make a truly ugly car

Well, it has a wheel in each corner & two seats, lights at the front & the back - struggling to see any more MX5 similarities. The MX, being front engines is a "cab aft" design, the Zenos is "cab forward" so not even the proportions are similar.

I have a friend with one, it's a fantastic car.

I'm sticking my guns here,I'm sure someone with photshop could overlay them. but Look at the wheelbase, cabin position, lights position, shape of the nose. IT looks like a bad kit

[skidskid]

framerateuk said:

I'm waiting for one of these too. An E11S or R would be a very nice prospect. Elise price tag with Exige performance? And something a little different to boot.

And a smaller company so contact with the factory for any issues, set up advice and owner days is much better.

[framerateuk]

djt100 said:

I'm sticking my guns here,I'm sure someone with photshop could overlay them. but Look at the wheelbase, cabin position, lights position, shape of the nose. IT looks like a bad kit

But the Zenos come out before the latest MX5.... that's like accusing my dad of looking like me.

[TartanPaint]

MX5 kit indeed. Clearly never seen one in the flesh.

[arch stant0n]

Saw one of these at Brands a couple of months ago, really like the way they look in the flesh. Much preferred to a Caterham. Not really sure why they're being compared to MX5s - power/weight's in a different league.