MB Roadcars launches concept supercar
Hardware goes on show at Autosport in January
MB Roadcars (MBR) will launch its first prototype, EOS, at the Autosport International Show on 13 January 2005. Aimed at the supercar market, the company says its machine "brings together the very best of motorsport and aerospace technologies into a distinctive and elegant concept."
Ultimate performance was the driving force behind the EOS project. It incorporates what the company calls ground-breaking aerodynamic concepts, 
lightweight, high strength carbon fibre chassis monocoque, and race-bred suspensions with fine-tuned vehicle dynamics.
The three-seat car has a target weight of 1,000Kg and is driven by a mid-mounted 500bhp V8 through a six-speed gearbox to the rear wheels. Performance is said to be 3.5 second zero to 60mph, with a top speed "in excess of 200mph".
MBR is a newly established sports car manufacturer based near Silverstone, and concentrating on the highly exclusive supercar market. It says it will "propose innovative and technically advanced sports cars to compete with the most renowned road cars."
The EOS will be produced in very limited numbers -- fewer than 20 cars per year -- and while a price has not been finalised, MBR reckons the technology and materials used to produce the car justify a price tag above £300,000.
Current status
After two years' hard work, MBR says it has successfully completed the concept and initial design stages of the EOS supercar, providing a sound basis to move on to the detail engineering of the first prototypes. MB Roadcars is currently signing-up technical partnerships and looking for investors to strengthen and complete the EOS development.
In addition to the EOS concept launch at the Autosport Show, MBR says "a highly realistic 50 per cent scale model of the supercar will be displayed alongside demonstration of some of the state-of-the-art technologies used to design the car". It plans to present a full-scale show car at the Frankfurt Motorshow in September 2005.
MBR says the first EOS prototype will hit the road at the end 2006.
More here: www.mbroadcars.com/
"brings together the very best of motorsport and aerospace technologies into a distinctive and elegant concept"
seems to mean...
"we have no motorsport experience at all, but have managed to graft an F1 style nose onto an otherwise conventional loooking supercar"
When will these companies realise that F1 cars have been shaped in windtunnels to achieve the most efficient aerodynamic package which complies with specific rules and regulations. None of which apply to road cars!
However, as with all of these ventures, I wish them every sucess.
I understand your Scepticism, it is natural when a new shape comes out.
MB Roadcars was initiated by 3 senior Formula 1 engineers who are CURRENTLY still employed by Formula 1 teams. So we have in-depth knowledge of aerodynamics, composite chassis design and suspension kinematics.
The originality is in the engineering of the car. The aerodynamics for once was thoroughly optimised and the front wing is working very well. We have data to back the fact that EOS will generate more front downforce than any other surpercar on the market.
We will have demonstration of all this at the Autosport Show, so please come and visit us.
your comments are really appreciated and will be taken into account.
MB Roadcars
mb roadcars said:
your comments are really appreciated and will be taken into account.
MB Roadcars
Please do, I have seen too many new cars trying to break into markets. No matter how good the chassis/handling is people vote with their eyes. The Noble M10, ugly thing didn't sell well, Lee did a redesign after I think Tiff Needell commented on it and out came the M12. Looked so much better and people bought it. A great success. Then there was the FBS Census, said to handle really well but was as ugly as an ugly dog hit with an ugly stick. They never changed the design, so the project folded. If people see a supercar they want to see something that doesn't instantly remind them of the competition as they will pick the tried and tested formula over the new kid on the block.
The Supercar market is exclusive but there are a lot of big players, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani, Koenigsegg, Porsche, Ford GT, Aston Martin, not forgetting builders like Invicta, Ascari, Farboud, TVR (Typhon), Edonis, Saleen, Ultima, Noble. There are others too.
FourWheelDrift said:
your comments are really appreciated and will be taken into account.
MB Roadcars
I totally agree. The Farboud stands some chance if they can get the price right; it actually looks cohesive. Too many times, people hide behind the excuse of "originality". the FBS was original alright; nobody had thought about basing a car design on a Victorian iron bath before.
Looks (attraction), simplicity (low build costs) and a VERY good understanding of the market (sales potential). These all form part of a good business plan. Having a team of engineers, even great ones, is useless unless there is real focus.
This car is so badly designed, I dont know where to start. the front is a cornflakes packet which emphasises the length, the front wheelarch is at odds with the flow of the bonnet in front, the side duct is kinked which looks odd, the windowline falls away towards the back, there are far too many ducts, the spoiler looks tacked on and is not cohesive, the "Enzo-lite" nosecone is a pastiche, and so on. Downforce is all very well, but not when you need a riot squad of ugly sticks applied.
Any buyer with £300k would look at this and wonder why on earth they would choose one over a Pagani Zonda, whose shape is so much better resolved (albeit not without fault).
I am sorry to be so critical, but it's best that the company stop now and save a lot of money going to waste. This will not succeed. Entrepreneurial spirit is to be lauded, but a sense of reality and perspective is also required.
Ray
Give her a nose job, skip all the holes, the Stratos window is nice and adds some personality, take a color that's distinctive. I'm in the design and marketing bussiness for over 13 years and I know one thing: once they dropped you they won't come back.
Albert
The article reads like a lot of time has been spent on engineering, and not a lot on styling. The model, if accurate, reflects that. It may drive and perform well, but those are not the only reasons for choosing a car.
It is a very crowded marketplace, though, and I remain very surprised at the number of people out there who feel that they can break into an area dominated by very big players.
As a GTS racecar, it has serious potential.
I agree that it seems to be at the 'we have no money and need serious investment' stage at the mo...
Good luck tho'
get that sorted, and i wish you all the best.
>> Edited by skinny on Wednesday 8th December 12:43
FourWheelDrift said:
your comments are really appreciated and will be taken into account.
MB Roadcars
Please do, I have seen too many new cars trying to break into markets. No matter how good the chassis/handling is people vote with their eyes. The Noble M10, ugly thing didn't sell well, Lee did a redesign after I think Tiff Needell commented on it and out came the M12. Looked so much better and people bought it. A great success.
Mind you the M12 does not cost 300,000.
Why are these cars so expensive, is it just for exclusivity. I did not read the article but im sure the Porker that won ECOTY was not 300,000.
michael_JCWS said:
I don't understand companies that insist on going straight for the 300K market. Surely that is a lot mre profit to be made in the £30-60K market ?
20 cars @ £300k each = £6 million annual turnover, for (I would imagine) a lot less marketing cost than selling the equivalent 200 cars at £30k each. After all, finding 20 people with £300k to spend must be a much more targeted exercise than selling 1,000 TVRs a year.
Edited for my spelling - Dog hates me!
>> Edited by D-Angle on Wednesday 8th December 13:32
20 cars @ £300k each = £6 million annual turnover, for (I would imagine) a lot less marketing cost than selling the equivalent 200 cars at £30k each. After all, finding 20 people with £300k to spend must be a much more targeted exercise than selling 1,000 TVRs a year.
quote]
Fair point, but who in their right mind would part with £300K on a unknown make. At least £30K is within the realms of reason
Cheers
Michael
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