The made-in Mexico VŪHL 05 sports car is finally here and I have to say that I stand corrected. For months now, VŪHL teased us with teaser shots of their VŪHL 05 sports car. It was getting ridiculous and, given their pugnacious secrecy, I began to think the whole enchilada would be unattractive to look at. I was mucho wrong.
It’s beautifully designed outside.
You can read about the other VŪHL 05 posts (here).
Roughly the size of a Mazda MX-5 Miata, the VŪHL 05 will do battle with track-day heroes like the Lotus Elise, Ariel Atom and KTM X-Bow to name a few. It’s supper light weight RTM reinforced plastic (carbon fiber is an option), extruded aluminum, adhesive bonding and use of a chrome-moly sub-frame (which houses the rear suspension and engine) lowers the total weight to a Chihuahua’s whisker over 1,500 lbs (695 kilograms) dry weight.
The VŪHL 05 uses a highly modified 2-liter EcoBoost Ford engine with 285 bhp on tap and about 310 lb-ft (420Nm) of torque fed through a six-speed manual transmission.
Said Iker (one of the Echeverria brothers who designd the vehicle): “Our background means the VŪHL 05 has been developed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. We were determined to create a highly intuitive machine that was both stirringly fast and immense fun to drive – a car we ourselves would want to own. We have endeavoured to endow it with class-leading ergonomics and a contemporary silhouette of striking proportions, and the aim of uncompromising build quality has underpinned the project since day one.” VŪHL Media
Here are the official stats:
“Engine/performance
Power comes from a 2-litre version of Ford’s award-winning DOHC turbocharged EcoBoost engine, the output of which is 285bhp and 420Nm of torque, giving a power to weight ratio of 400bhp per tonne. This results in a 0-100kph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 245kph.
Transmission/steering
The engine drives through a six-speed manual gearbox. Steering is by a high ratio rack and pinion system.
Suspension/brakes
The suspension is by unequal length double wishbones front and rear. Braking is by four-pot alloy callipers all-round, operating on 310mm ventilated cross-drilled discs at the front and 280mm units at the rear.
Wheels/tyres
The 05 rides on OZ alloy wheels shod with Michelin tyres; the sizes of which are 205/45 x 17 front; 235/45 x 18 rear.
Interior
The unique specification can include: carbon bucket seats; 330mm quick release water-resistant suede-covered steering wheel; electronic data acquisition dash; integral HD camera; and water-resistant Dinamica suede trim.
Dimensions
Width – 1876mm
Length – 3718mm
Height – 1120mm
Wheelbase – 2300mm
Ground clearance – 110mm
Dry weight – 695kg
Kerb weight – 725kg
Power to weight ratio – 400bhp/tonne
Weight distribution – 37/63 (front/rear)
Pricing/availability: Orders are being taken now for delivery beginning in the spring of 2014. Pricing will start from c.£55,000 (plus tax, plus shipping). There is a wide range of performance options available to allow the 05 to be upgraded to personal taste.
(That’s about $82,000 US)
Initial sales will be confined to the UK and North America (dealers are currently under appointment in both countries), but the intention is to make the car available in the other key European countries, China, Middle-East etc in due course.” – – VŪHL Media
I see one flaw in the ointment: the interior looks way too ‘kit-car’ to give some the confidence to drop over eighty large. I know it’s supposed to be lightweight, but other automakers have a better interior aesthetic. Frankly, the interior lets the rest of the VŪHL 05 down.
Perhaps the interior will look better in person.
Otherwise, the VŪHL 05 looks like a very promising start to a very limited market. Fortunately, the family that’s heading this effort have racing in their blood and should build something memorable. I’m keen to see what that mutated EcoBoost is capable of in such a light car.
Speaking of track-day performance, check out this video of the sights and sounds of the ’13 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb!
