Rana RS

[rdodger]

Copied from Totalkitcar

Star Motor Company is the re-named motor division of…….Tifosi Devon, who launched their all-new Rana RS model at last weekend’s Exeter show and it’s basically a lean and mean, track-orientated version of their standard Rana model, with several key differences, most notably of which is the use of a superb spaceframe chassis underpinning the car rather than a body conversion on a Sprite and it also has the addition of 5in into the shell.

The initial base model will be available as a ‘turnkey-minus’ less engine and gearbox at a cost of £15,000 inc VAT, leaving the customer to source their own engine, and with most inline fours and V6s accommodated, the choice will be varied. Suggested powerplants are Zetec E and Duratec V6…

Any one know more about this? Chassis designer etc?

[Mars]

Really nice idea, but I wish they hadn't spoiled it with the rear wheel blisters. If they could make a faithful silhouette of the original on a spaceframe and modern underpinnings, it'd be a massive success. The original was cute. Empower that little lamb with a wolf of a powerplant and handling to match, and they'd sell them as quickly as they could make them.

Especially in that yellow. Fabulous.

[singlecoil]

From that picture I can't tell whether or not there are doors fitted. If there are then that would seriously impact on the 'space frame' aspect.

[Arthur Jackson]

So basically...
Frogeye Sprite.
Stretched.
Hideous rear wheel arch treatment.
No doors.

Where's the appeal? I'd rather have a Fury.

[Mars]

There's an alternative to a complete kit-form Sprite which has a lot going for it:

http://www.spydercars.co.uk/octane_feb_2005_frogey...

However it does require your having an original Sprite to begin with.

[rana]

Hi Guys. I am new to Pistonheads, but to bring you up to speed on the new Rana RS.

The new car is built on a purpose built modern space frame utilising inboard suspension and is aimed at track use and fast road. The space frame has been developed as a bespoke unit specific to this car but the technology and geometry used has been tested and proven previously. The vehicle does have doors but to avoid compromising the integrity of the spaceframe there are side intrusion bars which form an integral part of the frame (in the road going versions these bars are inncorporated into storage pockets). Whilst I do agree that the rear arches do not look at their best in this picture, we had nothing but positive feedback of the overall appearance of the Rana RS at the recent Exeter show. It is also important to understand that the primary consideration when we designed the Rana RS was attaining the best possible handling and weight distribution, having acheived this the bodywork was then dimensionally modified to suit but keeping the proportions correct relative to each other (around 13" additional overall width and the same in overall length).

In a car of the dimensions imposed by the original 'Frogeye' design it would be impractical to construct a modern day sportscar capable of the handling and performance expected.

The Rana RS will be on display again at the Autosport Show at the NEC in January.

Cheers

[rdodger]

Any more pictures of the car? Chassis?

[rana]

Hi, no problem.

I haven't worked out how to put pictures on yet (Help would be appreciated) but if you search 'Rana RS' on Totalkitcar you will find 2 pictures in their archive
( http://www.totalkitcar.com/tkc_article_1677.php ).

Cheers