The Vuhl 05 supercar has been officially revealed just days before its planned unveiling at this month’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Powered by a 213kW/420Nm version of the turbocharged 2.0-litre Ford EcoBoost engine, the 725kg Mexican-built Vuhl 05 drives its rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox.
Vuhl claim the 05 can reach 100km/h from rest in 3.7 seconds before topping out at 245km/h.
Measuring 3718mm long and 1876mm wide, the 05 is 522mm shorter and 101mm wider than a Toyota 86. It also rides on a 2300mm wheelbase, 270mm more compact than the Toyota sports car.
Vuhl’s first-ever production car incorporates a high ratio rack and pinion steering system, unequal length double wishbone suspension front and rear and a brake package comprising 310mm ventilated cross-drilled brake discs front, 280mm discs rear and four-piston alloy callipers all-round.
Thanks to a recently announced partnership, the 05’s 17-inch front and 18-inch rear OZ alloy wheels are wrapped in Michelin tyres (205/45 front; 235/45 rear).
Created by brothers Iker and Guillermo Echeverria, the Vuhl O5’s standard bodywork is made from reinforced plastic fabricated in Canada, though a switch to carbonfibre is an option.
Featuring a 78kg monocoque, three-section bonded aluminium chassis, a chrome-moly steel subframe bolted directly to the passenger cell and aerodynamic aids including a flat underbody, front and side splitters, a rear diffuser and a rear spoiler, Iker Echeverria says the Vuhl 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,” Echeverria said.
To be sold initially in the UK and North America priced from £55,000 ($92,200), orders for the Vuhl are open now with first deliveries planned for March 2014.
Offering unique specification choices such as carbonfibre bucket seats, a quick release suede-covered steering wheel, electronic data logging dash, and an integrated HD camera all aimed at suiting buyers’ “personal taste”, Vuhl says it intends to make the car available in markets across Europe, China and the Middle-East in due course.
The new supercar will join the likes of the McLaren P1, Peugeot Onyx concept, and Corvette-powered Innotech Aspiron at this year’s 20th anniversary Goodwood Festival of Speed event at Goodwood House in Chichester, West Sussex, from July 11.
