Elfin MS8

Holden surprise Melbourne Show with racer

Holden are best known for big, brutish saloons and pick ups. So when they unveiled a sleek racer at this week's Melbourne Motor show it came as a very pleasant surprise to most.

Two cars are on show, the Elfin MS8 Clubman and Streamliner. Both are based on the same running gear, but with different bodywork configurations. They are manufactured by Elfin with Holden providing design input and the power plants. Bill Hemming, Joint Managing Director of Elfin Sports Cars, said the Streamliner and Clubman MS8 project made the best use of each organisation's strengths.

"This project successfully leveraged Holden's design know-how and resources with Elfin's specialist skill in hand-built racing chassis production ," he said. "The synergy between us was amazing. I guess that's what happens when one bunch of car buffs meets another ," said Hemming.

"Elfin will take all enquiries and orders from prospective buyers and we'll build the vehicles at our production facility in Murrumbeena (Victoria). Elfin owns the intellectual property rights to the vehicles and we will manage all sales, marketing and warranty issues ," Hemming concluded.

Aimed squarely at the weekend club racer and historic vehicle enthusiast market, the V8 roadsters will be hand-built to order by Elfin with production expected to begin later this year.

The cars are powered by a Holden Gen III 5.7 litre V8 pumping out around 330bhp via a six speed 'box. The cars are constructed around a tubular space frame chassis.

Drivetrain

Holden 5.7 litre Gen III alloy V8
From 245 kW (engines prepared to purchaser specification)
Holden 6-speed manual gearbox
Holden limited slip differential

Safety

Traction control
ABS braking system
Cruise control

Suspension

Fully independent rear suspension with top and bottom wishbones plus toe link adjustment
Front suspension with top and bottom chrome moly, unequal aerofoil wishbones
Fully adjustable race specification rose joints throughout
Elfin alloy uprights (front and rear), fully adjustable for camber, caster and toe
Coil over Koni shock absorbers, adjustable for bump, rebound and ride height

Brakes

Slotted and ventilated four wheel disc brakes
- Front: 32 x 343mm discs
  Elfin aluminium billet machined 6 piston calipers
- Rear: 18 x 315mm discs incorporating handbrake
  Elfin aluminium billet machined 4 piston calipers

Steering/Pedals