Weight has a direct effect on a car’s performance — its acceleration, braking, fuel consumption and even its tire wear. Overall, a lighter weight has a multiplier effect on the performance of a car.
Now, to stand apart in the crowded auto market, British sports car manufacturer Elemental Motor Company Limited has launched featherweight RP-1. RP-1 features a carbon fiber structure, which combines light weight with strength.
Elemental claims that RP-1 is the world’s lightest sports car:
With a weight of just 992 pounds (450 kilograms) to push around, the RP-1 should be plenty powerful with a number of exciting features:
- The vehicle is powered by 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost engine and 6 speed sequential racing gearbox, producing around 280 horsepower.
- RP1 plans to hit a top speed of over 155 mph (250 km/h).
- The RP-1 is also equipped with LED lamps all around – headlights, indicators, brakes, tail lights and daytime running lamps.
- The center of gravity of the car is as low as possible due to its feet up seating position.
- An easily adjustable chassis allows driver to modify RP-1’s settings from road to race conditions and vice versa with ease.
- Carbon fiber race seats incorporate removable seat pads along with the highly adjustable pedals which allow the car to accommodate drivers up to 6’6” in height.
The company aims to begin deliveries of these cars by the end of the first half of 2015. The price tag of the car is not yet available.
