Friday 30th March 2007

Connaught on the move

Massive investment means more cars and jobs

---

Green and mean?

The Connaught Motor company has chosen a new home in Wales. It’s a £12 million investment that will create 200 skilled new jobs over the next three years.

The Connaught technical centre will be a purpose-designed 60,000 sq ft unit costing £3.5 million and will be built at Llanelli Gate for completion in 2009. Until then, the firm will lease manufacturing space nearby. Production of the Type D coupé is due to start later this year, with customer cars being built in early 2008.

The brand was revived in 2002 after lying dormant for 40 years. The first model down the line will be the limited edition, four-seat Connaught Type D GT Syracuse with a Connaught designed V10 2-litre supercharged 300bhp engine, to be followed by the hybrid version – the Connaught Type-D V10 sports coupé.

300bhp supercharged V10 for GT

This hybrid car has been designed in-house, is patent protected and Connaught believes it delivers a 30 per cent reduction in CO₂ emissions when compared to vehicles in its class. It will have a V10 petrol electric engine making the car capable of 42mpg, 0-60 in 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 150mph.

Connaught anticipates building 100 cars in the first year, 250 in the second year, rising to 1000 in year five, targeting the UK and European markets.

[fwdracer]

.....and another one just for good measure