For a car that makes such great claims about its dynamic ability, that the
Elemental RP-1
will only be seen at the Moving Motor Show 'first glance' display this weekend is a little disappointing. Still, at least on static show its carbon tub and motorsport-inspired cabin can be admired.
See it at Goodwood (but stationary only)
Plus the styling too, of course. If the Elemental follows the conventional lightweight Brit sports car theme for engineering then it largely carries across to design also. There are hints of BAC in the looks as well as the Vuhl. It's certainly striking and attention-grabbing but perhaps ever so slightly generic.
Still, these type of cars aren't bought for posing value, are they? On the dynamic front, Elemental is keen to stress easy configurability. Apparently a road set-up can be switched for a track one by the RP-1's driver 'with just a couple of spanners and an Allen key'. The standard suspension comprises inboard Eibach springs and Nitron dampers at the front with identical units mounted conventionally at the rear. Elemental says race options are available.
There are 280mm discs at each corner with AP four-pot calipers. Pro Race 17-inch wheels sit on Yokohama tyres, 215/45 at the front and 235/45 behind.
Adjustable pedals in here for full race car vibe
As well as the 280hp Ecoboost already confirmed, Elemental has now added a 1.0-litre three-cylinder version to its range of launch engines, as well as a Fireblade-engined Superlight model.
Inside the RP-1 is predictably sparse, with a lot of controls on the quick release wheel and an LED backlit central panel. Adjustable pedals and removable seat pads mean drivers up to 6' 6" can be accommodated.
So all quite encouraging if rather predictable as track-focused Brit sports car go. There are still no prices confirmed from Elemental, other than to say they will 'be competitive compared with cars of a similar performance, technology and quality'. Apparently a limited number of GT-Cup race cars are in development too, with both likely to go on sale early in 2015.
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 4 3"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1 1"%3E%3C/svg%3E)