Tuesday 21st October 2003

Toniq R Update

Development continues - here's the car from the Donington Show

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The Toniq-R development is pressing on. The project - originally started by students at the University of Huddersfield - is now being developed in their spare time by two of the original student team.

The car is based on a Stuart Taylor Motorsport spaceframe chassis (one used in racing). Toniq Ltd are producing the car in association with STM and the first customer will be taking delivery of their cars in early 2004.

Prices are expected to be almost £20K for a fully built car or the more attractive option being a body and chassis kit from as little as £3k.

Link : www.toniq-r.co.uk

[docevi1]

Damn, that is one fine looking car! A nice improvement over the standard Caterham shapes, but not too far off!

With a few more developments (i.e. a windows, steering wheel ) it would be very desirable indeed.

[agent006]

Would look nicer with a rollbar on it.

[anonymous-user]

I had a good chat with one of the designers at the Donnington show.

They reckon they're not far off a runner and as it's based on Stuart Taylor's proven chassis they don't think they'll need to put too much work into the dynamics once it's up and running. I'm not too sure myself, I think it may need a bit more fettling as the bodywork is going to alter the aerodynamics and weight distribution a reasonable amount I think.

I asked them about full screen / weather kit too. They are interested in offering it, but this car has been designed for aero-screen only. it's quite heavily contoured to fit in with the styling and wouldn't translate well to a glass screen. Finding a suitable donor screen could be an interesting challenge too.

But, if you like the styling, but want something with a full screen and the rest, let them know. They were talking about the possibility of designing another model once this one's up and running. Something with a bit more practicality might find it's way onto the drawing board.

If you like the styling, you may be interested in a few of these pages:
www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=+site%3Apistonheads.com+%22toniq+r%22+clinic&btnG=Google+Search&meta=
The designers took a lot of feedback from people on this site to get to the design they've got now.

[zumbruk]

Faintly reminiscent of a Dodge Prowler...

[beast]

will a Honda V-Tec engine fit ?

[anonymous-user]

beast said:

will a Honda V-Tec engine fit ?

Not sure, I'll see if I can find out unless anyone else knows already.

AFAIK, it was originally developed to use Westfield bits and a 'Busa engine/'box. Now they're working with Stuart Taylor I'm not sure - ST are well known for 'Blade and Kwak engined Locosts...

[Mark Benson]

ST Chassis are pretty much based on the Locost 'book' chassis, so with a bit of a squeeze, you should be able to get a Honda engine in, as well as an RV8 (not at the same time, obviously).

For me, the car is ugly, I just don't think it's different enough to a seven in concept, just uglier, I'd question the value of a ST chassis kit costing £20k too.

[Busa_Rush]

Looks like a boat.

Nice to see a new design though, wish them all the best but they need to make it look more sporty, well, more like a car actually. It might attract the odd fisherman as it is now.

The original pictures looked better than the car in the pictures above.