UK Diesel Supercar
550bhp from an oil burner?
UK sports car manufacturer Trident Performance Vehicles, has unveiled a new project that claims to offer diesel economy with true supercar performance.
The Trident Iceni is powered by a General Motors Duramax 6.6 litre turbo- charged V8 diesel, modified to produce 550 bhp and an amazing 950 lb- ft of torque from 1800 rpm. Further technical details are scarce, but we hear that only one gearbox will be offered, and that will be an 8 speed automatic.
Performance wise, Trident claim it will be capable of speeds in excess of 200mph and the 0-60 time is under four seconds. It's not just the performance figures that are impressive though, the claimed fuel consumption is 55mpg.
Sadly, Trident is searching for more investors to take development of the Iceni to the next level so we wonder if we will ever see this car on the road at all? If we do, Trident plans to sell it for under £75,000.
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That is a lot to be honest, especially when you consider what 75K can get you (Something that will no doubt sound a lot better!)
Porsche sales are down at the moment, so introducing a car with a similar price tag just won't work IMO.
The styling looks O.K but I am not sure about that rear curve.
Why do British companys always try and come up with a ludicrously expensive supercar? Design something small, simple, good looking and innovate such as the original Mini.
It won't keep up with a Zonda, but at least it will show KIA and those other Asian car companies how small cars should be done.
I actually quite like it, but still I don't like the idea of a diesel supercar.
Not only that, but imagine the caravan you could pull at 100+mph. 
+: Provided I have money.
55 MPG from 550 BHP? Really?
The Tourag V10 only manages 20 something.
Not only that, but imagine the caravan you could pull at 100+mph. +: Provided I have money.
55 MPG from 550 BHP? Really?
The Tourag V10 only manages 20 something.
Sports cars tend to be far more efficient in bhp/MPG terms. It's a myth that a high specific output engine has to be thirsty. Plus lower weight and drag is a huge advantage.
Why do British companys always try and come up with a ludicrously expensive supercar? Design something small, simple, good looking and innovate such as the original Mini.
A hand-built supercar built in small numbers on a (relatively) simple space space frame requires surprisingly little in the way of expensive tooling and you can (theoretically) make money out of building and selling a handful.
That's before you even start thinking about dealer networks, service/repair infrastructure,. being able to handle recalls, homologation costs etc, etc, etc...
The likes of Caterham, Westfield, etc manage to sell relatively small numbers of small simple cars for relatively high prices but that's a crowded niche these days and the chequered history of Lotus demonstrates how perilous it can be to try to occupy some kind of middle ground.
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JG
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