RE: Ultima reveals new 'RS' model

[wolfie28]

If I had the money that would be exactly where it would be going. Big love from me.

[SpeckledJim]

They've done a very good job of that, IMO.

Looks a lot less kit-car-ish than the previous car.

[Electra]

big_rob_sydney said:

WCZ said:

Esceptico said:

If I were doing lots of car track days this would be of interest. Personally I think less might be more as the "low powered" NA engine with 480 bhp is surely already as much (or more) power than you would ever need on the road and even on track I don't see the point of excessive power - at least to me the fun bits on track (and road) are the corners, not the straights, and so spending less time on the straights not that important (although I suppose it might mean you fit in more corners in your session).

They suggest £60k for the lowest powered but presumably that is a kit. How much more for fully built?

another £30k or so.

these are insanely good value for money cars though.

the only annoying thing is they don't benchmark them enough so I know they could be setting lap records for many circuits way beyond the Senna/Pista times.

have to wonder what the 1200hp version of this could do around the ring with a talented driver

A short while ago, a factory built kit was around £95k for the Evo (just over 1,000bhp version)..

As for benchmarking, they had some pretty interesting stuff on their page about Dunsfold, comparing the car to everything else that Top Gear had put around. For some reason TG refused to run the car around the circuit; if anyone knows why, I'd be curious to know.

They're not a huge company, so may not have the budget. I guess nothing stops private owners from Time Attack style laps, but then the problem might be that private cars possibly aren't in "stock" trim, and then everyone would complain about comparing stock vs stock.

Personally, I think the Dunsfold times are more than enough to understand what this can do; which is to say, it's bloody fast!

They did hold the (unofficial) TG track record, performed by their own driver. TG refused to test the car as you say, presumably because the Ultima would thrash known manufacturers, who would then refuse to lend their cars to TG for testing... On slicks it even went faster then the Ferrari Enzo Fxx...

[Electra]

MikeT66 said:

Wow - fantastic. I don't think I could ever drive this without imagining that long stretch of the Mulsanne Straight in front of me - even if it was a quick nip to the supermarket.

Do those luggage bags actually fit in the car? The only place I can see is on those wide door entry points.

These are custom made bags, made to fit in the space at the sills, visible when the doors are up.

[Daston]

This has instantly jumped to the top of the dream pile! I was looking into Building a GTR years ago and well chickened out...maybe something for when the kids are older

[sideways man]

Please Mr Top Gear producer, take this version round your track.

Bloody love these.

[Gameface]

I'm especially pleased they haven't gone for parts bin lights front and back. Makes the car look much more resolved and exotic.

[BigChiefmuffinAgain]

Can't see how anyone can claim to be a serious sports car manufacturer these days without having coffee cup holders....

[E65Ross]

sjc said:

Gameface said:

Shame they didn't take the opportunity to improve the interior, but other than that it's fantastic.

Thought exactly the same.

"Can be bought for the price of a mundane BMW M3"

Sees interior and decides that comparing it to an M3 is an utterly pointless comparison.

[deadscoob]

Most people could probably deduce that before looking at the interior

[markcoznottz]

Electra said:

big_rob_sydney said:

WCZ said:

Esceptico said:

If I were doing lots of car track days this would be of interest. Personally I think less might be more as the "low powered" NA engine with 480 bhp is surely already as much (or more) power than you would ever need on the road and even on track I don't see the point of excessive power - at least to me the fun bits on track (and road) are the corners, not the straights, and so spending less time on the straights not that important (although I suppose it might mean you fit in more corners in your session).

They suggest £60k for the lowest powered but presumably that is a kit. How much more for fully built?

another £30k or so.

these are insanely good value for money cars though.

the only annoying thing is they don't benchmark them enough so I know they could be setting lap records for many circuits way beyond the Senna/Pista times.

have to wonder what the 1200hp version of this could do around the ring with a talented driver

A short while ago, a factory built kit was around £95k for the Evo (just over 1,000bhp version)..

As for benchmarking, they had some pretty interesting stuff on their page about Dunsfold, comparing the car to everything else that Top Gear had put around. For some reason TG refused to run the car around the circuit; if anyone knows why, I'd be curious to know.

They're not a huge company, so may not have the budget. I guess nothing stops private owners from Time Attack style laps, but then the problem might be that private cars possibly aren't in "stock" trim, and then everyone would complain about comparing stock vs stock.

Personally, I think the Dunsfold times are more than enough to understand what this can do; which is to say, it's bloody fast!

They did hold the (unofficial) TG track record, performed by their own driver. TG refused to test the car as you say, presumably because the Ultima would thrash known manufacturers, who would then refuse to lend their cars to TG for testing... On slicks it even went faster then the Ferrari Enzo Fxx...

It's certainly fast of that there is no doubt. In the shots of the first run the front of the car looks extremely low, with a lot of negative camber dialled in as well. Loads more than you need in a fast road setup. No doubt they set the suspension to a track setting, but given the adjustability of the car maybe that's fair. Ultima says the car will clear speed bumps, but looking how close the front splitter is to the ground you'd have to take a pinch of salt with that.

[Rumblestripe]

Very tidy looking and (of course) insanely fast even with "only" 480 bhp.

I'll have one in gulf livery (but without any branding) please.

[dunnoreally]

E65Ross said:

"Can be bought for the price of a mundane BMW M3"

Sees interior and decides that comparing it to an M3 is an utterly pointless comparison.

Yeah probably more pertinent to compare it to the M4 GTS, given how focused it is. Or perhaps the new Mercedes Black Series, when it lands.

[mike425]

For those questioning speed bump clearance, it has hydraulic lift on it.

I've seen a few owner cars at shows, the interiors vary massively, it looks more to do with how much you are willing to spend and deviate from the standard spec with what you end up.

Love it.

[Quickben]

Saw an Ultima being ran as a privateer in the GT3 series at Donington Park about 15 years ago. Looked pretty much the same as this. Which is not a bad thing. I love the look of these. I don't even mind the interior.


The only thing I'd prefer would be a more motorsport focussed engine instead of just a crate LS\LT. Although these engines are mega tough and cheap, so help keep the cost of the car down.


I'd have one of these as a track toy over almost anything.

[E65Ross]

dunnoreally said:

E65Ross said:

"Can be bought for the price of a mundane BMW M3"

Sees interior and decides that comparing it to an M3 is an utterly pointless comparison.

Yeah probably more pertinent to compare it to the M4 GTS, given how focused it is. Or perhaps the new Mercedes Black Series, when it lands.

Or, you know, actual track day likes, maybe like an Ariel Atom or a high end Caterham, perhaps? At least you could use an M4 GTS or C63 Black daily, if you wanted.

[Ahonen]

E65Ross said:

dunnoreally said:

E65Ross said:

"Can be bought for the price of a mundane BMW M3"

Sees interior and decides that comparing it to an M3 is an utterly pointless comparison.

Yeah probably more pertinent to compare it to the M4 GTS, given how focused it is. Or perhaps the new Mercedes Black Series, when it lands.

Or, you know, actual track day likes, maybe like an Ariel Atom or a high end Caterham, perhaps? At least you could use an M4 GTS or C63 Black daily, if you wanted.

I'm not sure, but I reckon it was probably just a light hearted comment in a press release. I don't think they've carried out a full comparison, using various weighted criteria, between an M3 and an Ultima - hard as that may be to believe as they are clearly direct marketplace competitors...

[anonymous-user]

Fantastic, I have always fancied one.....

[C.MW]

This is the car every purist should be buying. Fabulous, and I'm grateful they exist.

[Jex]

Quickben said:

I'd have one of these as a track toy over almost anything.

I wouldn't - I'd then have no excuse for everyone overtaking me.