PistonHeads has followed the progress of the FBS Census for some time now and we've seen theevolution from rolling chassis right through to the third prototype which wetested today. Having had a poke about behind the scenes at their base nearSilverstone we now understand much of the philosophy behind the car.
With the sports car market increasingly crowded, the idea of a two mancompany building a car from scratch with the goal of producing dozens of cars ayear may seem a little ambitious. This project is by no means the brainchild ofenthusiastic amateurs however. Between them, engineers Andrew Barber and RobinHall have worked for major manufacturers as well as specialists such as Lotusand Prodrive. FBS is their chance to do things as they see fit without the bureaucracythat burdens major companies.
Asa result the engineering that has gone into the design and manufacture of theCensus far exceeds what might be expected of such a fledgling company. ExpensiveComputer-Aided-Design software has been used to model the chassis and then toprovide data for both simulated crash tests and to provide patterns forcomponent manufacturers. The result is an exceptionally stiff chassis and aproduction process that ensures an extremely high standard of componentmanufacture.
Pitching the Census into the sportscar market needed careful consideration.Price and configuration being key to defining a unique niche for the Census. Afront engined, rear wheel drive layout was deemed the most desirable, whilst thechoice of a V6 would make an unusual proposition in the £25K price bracket.
When it came to designing the body to grace the impressive monocoque chassis,Robin and Andrew knew that wasn't their area of expertise. Working with studentsfrom the automotive design course at the CoventryUniversity a body style was chosen from a range of suggestions.
From that style, the full sized car has been modelled with only minoralterations. Personally, the full sized styling doesn't float my boat, but FBSreckon the public reaction has been around 80% favourable.
So,looks aside - how does it handle? Not surprisingly it's extremely competent. Theexceptionally stiff monocoque chassis exhibits no discernable flex even whenpounding along some challenging B roads. It actually feels comparable to a goodsaloon, particularly with the relatively high profile tyres which soaked up thebumps so effectively on the bumpy B roads around Silverstone.
Hurtling cross-country at 70mph is done with ease. The brakes weren'tinspiring from cold, but are more than up to the job with some heat in them. Thecar is well balanced and predictable allowing it to be driven pretty fast fromthe outset, such is the confidence it inspires. The steering is power assisted(optional), but was over-assisted for my liking, with much of the desiredfeedback missing.
It'san easy car to drive, with a light clutch and standard Ford controls. The V6puts out around 170bhp (the car weights around 950kg), enough for spiriteddriving and fun cross country blasts with the 'box almost permanently nailed inthird gear. The exhaust has been tuned to give a raspy note, a tad too intrusiveand surprisingly high pitched for a V6 - sporty, but not a sound exciting enoughto make you gun the engine unnecessarily.
Thereis absolutely no doubt that it's a fine piece of engineering and is an excellentsolution for crossing country rapidly and comfortably. However, I felt that theCensus lacked a certain piece of intangible magic or character to make the carspecial. Perhaps the pre-production interior, rattles and squeaks coloured myjudgement, but it didn't give me that tingle in the spine that sports carsnormally do.
If the reaction to the styling is as positive as FBS claim then they will nodoubt enjoy the success they've planned for as it is a good car to drive.Currently two cars have been ordered and that's before any serious marketingbegins. Target production is for 70 cars a year from 2003.
Personally, I can't help but to keep comparing it with the Elise. Price wiseand dynamically it competes head to head, with the Census feeling a more grownup car. It will be more comfortable and more practical than an Elise, but theElise is such a little jewel I know which reflection I'd rather see in a shopwindow. Perhaps that's just my pie-eyed vanity.
Make your own mind up - talk to Andrew and Robin at www.fbscars.co.uk
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