This is the Climax, an all-new British sports car which runs entirely on bio-ethanol.
With a mid engine layout, this two seat open sports car takes inspiration from the legendary Cooper Climax F1 car of the 1950's.
A standard-spec car has a top speed of 170mph, with a 0-60mph time of under 4 seconds. Hardly a slouch, then.
Ethanol has a higher octane rating than petrol, offering performance benefits for sports cars.
Other manufacturers have experimented with ethanol power for their cars, including Lotus and Volvo.
The Climax is built on an aluminium chassis with steel sub frames, topped off with aluminium body panels and a racing interior.
The engine is a Prodrive-sourced 'boxer' 4-pot, producing 300PS and 407Nm of torque.
Driver and passenger (co-pilot?) will be getting wet in the rain, but the Climax comes with a removable tonneau cover at least for when parked on the high street.
Prospective owners will need 100,000 euros to secure a Climax, with VAT to pay on top.
source:newcarnet
