There may already be a plethora of small manufacturers producing lightweight, road-legal track cars on these shores, but when we drove the Elemental RP1 a year ago we hoped there might be room for one more.
Yes, it's very expensive - we'll get that out of the way now. But it also offers a lot more than many of its rivals. With 325hp and 335lb ft of torque it's capable of 0-60 in just 2.7 seconds and a top speed of 170mph. That's faster than either a Radial SR3 or a BAC Mono and as accelerative as a supercharged Ariel Atom. An FIA spec carbon-composite tub and specially developed foam-cored aluminium floor and bulkheads keep overall weight down to just 595kg, too, for a power-to-weight ratio of 548hp per tonne.
Speed isn't its only trick, though. The RP1 is also, believe it or not, rather practical. As far as an open top car with no doors or windscreen can be, at least. Not only is it far more comfortable than its rivals thanks to features like adjustable Nitron dampers, greater cockpit space and heated footwells, it can carry up to 200 litres of luggage as well. It has USB connectivity and a reversing camera too, so you can still enjoy a drive even if you're not feeling at your most hardcore that day.
And when you do feel hardcore, there really aren't many better ways to indulge your inner racing driver. It's easy these days to be sceptical of projects like this; there have been, after all, more than a few companies looking to make a quick buck without ever really delivering on the hype. Sometimes, though, a car can be expensive because it's worth it, and get rave reviews because it's just really, really good. The RP1 is one of those times.
Expertise gained working within the aeronautical and motorsport industries allowed the creators of the RP1 to bestow it with over 400kg of ground-effect downforce. Should that be insufficient, however, an aero kit - developed by former McLaren F1 aerodynamicist Mark Taylor - including an enormous wing, larger splitter and updated diffuser can provide up to 1,000kg(!) of downforce at 150mph. That's almost twice the weight of the car itself, and 400kg more downforce than a McLaren P1 conjures up.
In short the Elemental more than justifies its price tag, even if it that ultimately means it's for the few. Its styling may appear a little generic, too, but with an F1-esq feet up driving position, plenty of carbon fibre and excellent build quality, the car promises to feel like a properly premium track toy. Moreover, you're unlikely to pass one coming in the other direction, and in the case of our unregistered Spotted, you'll be very first owner on the V5C. If there's a more memorable way to part with six figures, we can't recall it right now...
SPECIFICATION: ELEMENTAL RP1
Engine: 1,995cc 4-cyl turbocharged Ford Ecoboost
Transmission: 6-speed sequential Hewland JFR, rear-wheel drive
Power (bhp): 325@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 335@3,000rpm
0-60mph: 2.7sec
Top speed: 170mph
Weight: 595kg
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
Price new: £110,000
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