Caparo Caparo T1 Gets a Brand New and More Powerful Engine

[Zonda]

After 12 months of highly secretive development, the Caparo T1, which looks and performs like a Formula One car, will be launched in the summer with a new and more powerful engine than previously mooted. The higher specification is reflected in a launch price for the T1 of £180,000 plus taxes.


The bespoke lightweight, all aluminium V8 has a higher capacity of 3.5 litres and is now normally aspirated. The engine has a mass of less than 100kgs and can produce power outputs of up to 200 bhp-per-litre. As the T1 will maintain its nominal 500kg kerb weight this means the potential for power-to-weight ratios far exceeding the 1,000bhp-per-tonne previously announced.

The Caparo V8 has been designed from scratch and is comparable to Formula One and Indy race car specifications. It will be built from parts sourced from within the Caparo group of companies and central to its concept is its ability to use alternative, sustainable fuels; a factor important to Caparo for future applications.

"This new engine allows us many exciting options for the future, both for the car and the company," said Richard Butler chief executive Caparo Vehicle Products. "It will further help us to implement the vehicle lightweight design philosophies necessary to reduce greenhouse gasses being sought by high volume carmakers."

Ben Scott-Geddes operations director at Caparo Vehicle Technologies and the car's co-designer added: "The new engine now delivers both the performance and reliability we're looking for in the T1, the two key factors vital to our customers when running this type of car."

Sean Butcher commercial director at Caparo Vehicle Technologies said: "Given the high engine output, increased power-to-weight ratio, advanced hybrid chassis design and ultra-efficient aerodynamics the T1 offers exceptional value for such an exclusive world class vehicle ... and quite extraordinary standards in performance, handling and safety."

Source - Fast-Autos.net

 

[PanterroR]

The bespoke lightweight, all aluminium V8 has a higher capacity of 3.5 litres and is now normally aspirated. The engine has a mass of less than 100kgs and can produce power outputs of up to 200 bhp-per-litre. As the T1 will maintain its nominal 500kg kerb weight this means the potential for power-to-weight ratios far exceeding the 1,000bhp-per-tonne previously announced.

Unbelievable!

Thanks for posting this, Christian! I'm not a big fan of this car, but what's in above quote definitely deserves all the praise!

 

[martinbo]

I admire the concept, I understand the principles behind it and I bet that it's going to be one of the best driving experiences around...

But I can't help but think: this looks daft for a road car.

KTM X-Blade shows how it should be done in the looks department.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Great news.

Now where's that Veyron WIMP. Just put them on the same track and it will butcher it.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

I admire the concept, I understand the principles behind it and I bet that it's going to be one of the best driving experiences around...

But I can't help but think: this looks daft for a road car.

Supreme F1 principle : "Form follow function/ruthless efficiency above everything".

Beauty is in winning ploes, races and above all championships. In this case butchering Veyron and Co.

 

[Bruce]

As an overall road car, the T1 doesn't grab my interest from me. Still, it's 8 cylinders packed into a go-kart.

 

[Zonda]

Good point Imhotep!

I love this car to death, it's not as special as the Zonda or awakes my emotions as the Zonda either. But sheer driving experience is a pritority in my book. And this car puts that first!

But the concept did look better.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Good point Imhotep!

I love this car to death, it's not as special as the Zonda or awakes my emotions as the Zonda either. But sheer driving experience is a pritority in my book. And this car puts that first!

But the concept did look better.

The hardtop will probably look better. As for the driving experience, for the every day non open wheel professional driver, the thing this car will subject the body to can be described as by words such as torture and rape.

To really drive this "car" will need months of physical preparations and advanced driving lessons.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

As an overall road car, the T1 doesn't grab my interest from me. Still, it's 8 cylinders packed into a go-kart.

It will be much more then a go cart.

 

[Bruce]

It will be much more then a go cart.

You make it sounds as If I am down playing the T1 by calling it a "go-kart"

It's merely an expression, referring to it's size and weight as a "go-kart"

 

[Imhotep Evil]

You make it sounds as If I am down playing the T1 by calling it a "go-kart"

It's merely an expression, referring to it's size and weight as a "go-kart"

Sorry then, I missunderstood you.

 

[Merc1]

From CAR, Caparo T1 in detail:










What's the latest news?

The Caparo T1 is launched today, and it's the most extreme supercar ever built, claim its creators. Out of the way Le Mans racer or superbike – the British designed T1 is mightier than both.

Thanks to its featherlight structure and 575bhp V8 engine, the Caparo can crack 60mph in less than 2.5sec, and crack the 100mph barrier in under 5.0sec. It piles on speed at such a phenomenal pace thanks to a staggering power-to-weight ratio of 1045bhp per tonne. That's twice as powerful as the world's fastest production car, the 252mph Bugfatti Veyron, which musters 'just' 506bhp per tonne.

The T1 is the first series production car to break the 1000bhp per tonne ceiling, a feat beyond even the most vicious superbike, say the Caparo team.

Two prototypes are lapping the Goodwood Motor Circuit right now, as the new British hero is showcased to the press. Naturally CAR Online is there, and first to bring you all the details.

Sounds amazing. Let's have the juice then...

The T1 supercar is a showcase for automotive consultancy Caparo Vehicle Technologies. This British-based multinational designs, manufactures and supplies components to the automotive industry. Its dream is to get more parts from lightweight metals or composites into mass production, to bring down the weight of family cars.

Just don't expect the average family hatch to be as exotic – and therefore as expensive – as the T1. The limited edition supercar will cost £190,000 plus taxes. For that price, you get a car that weighs a featherlight 550kg. That's around one-third of the weight of a family saloon, and an impressive 250kg less than a Lotus Elise.

The T1's principal designer is Ben Scott-Geddes, who cut his teeth at McLaren cars working on the Mercedes SLR. Like the McMerc, the T1 is made of advanced materials carbonfibre and aluminium. The monocoque is made from carbonfibre, like an F1 car which it closely resembles.

The engine room

Two occupants can ride in the slender T1, with the passenger seat staggered just behind the driver's left shoulder. A bespoke 3.5-litre V8 engine is mounted just behind the passenger cell. The naturally aspirated unit kicks out 575bhp at 10,500rpm and 310lb ft of torque at 9000rpm.

And there could be higher performance versions to come. 'In its current state of tune, the engine is well within its capability,' says Caparo Vehicle Technologies boss Richard Butler. 'It's very low stressed running at 10,500rpm – it could reach 17,000.' The thinking behind this is to ensure good reliability from the engine, which weighs just 116kg. The engine is a joint development between Caparo and Menard Engineering, rather a familiar unit bought in.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential manual gearbox. As the T1 is the ultimate track car, gearchanges are made by paddles, with fuel and ignition cut-off rendering the clutch pedal redundant. It's present for the journey to the track, to ensure smooth changes in congestion. The T1 is also designed to cope with another scourge of modern motoring – the speed bump. Although the T1 stands just 50mm high when pounding the track, the alumium pushrod suspension can be raised to provide 100mm of ground clearance. The suspension has a double wishbone design, the classic racing car set-up.

Any other amazing facts?

Braking performance is awesome too, taking just 3.5secs to wipe 100mph off the clock and bring the T1 to a total halt. Surprisingly, the 355mm brake discs are not made of carbon but more conventional steel. They are gripped by six-pot callipers up front and four-pot callipers at the rear.

The T1's extreme form follows its function: to perform like an F1 car. Top speed is 187mph. In wind tunnel tests, aerodynamic aids such as the tall rear wing generated around 800kg of downforce at 150mph. No wonder Caparo is claiming this as the ultimjate track car.

But most impressive of all is the T1's development time. While a mainstream car maker can spend six years designing and developing a new model, the T1 should go from drawing board to the first customer's garage in a breath-taking 12 months. Now that's what we call fast.

M

 

[Imhotep Evil]

I wanted the 700 hp version. Guess this will do for now.

Now were's chubby to test it against ?!

 

[Merc1]

From Road and Track:



















Road and Track Magazine - Caparo T1 (8/2007)

M

 

[martinbo]

The ultimate track day car? Quite possibly, but then it comes at a hefty price. An Ultima GTR or Radical SR3 will provide damn near thrills at a fraction of the price.

Also, they appear to be decidely more robust looking than this spindly looking T1. Track days = pushing it to the limit. Pushing beyond the limit = on the grass or into the tyre wall. I think that the T1 will break rather easily compared with the cheaper, less high-tech track day burners.

... then again, a Caparo T1 owner will probably just send the car off to the shop on a flatbed and get into his FXX for more sedate lapping.

 

[wltsm]

I'm sure this is a very good track day car, but it seems very expensive, I personally wouldn't take something costing as much money as this does to the track.

Will be interesting to see how many they sell!

 

[Imhotep Evil]

The ultimate track day car? Quite possibly, but then it comes at a hefty price. An Ultima GTR or Radical SR3 will provide damn near thrills at a fraction of the price.

The hole fun/torture is in the lateral gs/cornering and braking. And here both the Ultima GTR or Radical SR3 "fail".
Without the fancy aerodynamics (wings + ground effects) the 2 won't touch it.
Shifting will faster and steering will be microscopical.

Also, they appear to be decidely more robust looking than this spindly looking T1. Track days = pushing it to the limit. Pushing beyond the limit = on the grass or into the tyre wall. I think that the T1 will break rather easily compared with the cheaper, less high-tech track day burners.

Braking is actually the hole point. The carbon acts also as sort of a crumpling zone in a way.
An F1 car is made to gradually brake to pieces so that the heavy/dangerous parts won't be near the driver, and also to absorb the impact. Then comes the reinforced tank cockpit and HANS to do their trick.

Why all this ?!
When a car like this will lose control, in an accident, the G-forces to anywhere between 20Gs and 179Gs.

In the old pre CF non-breakable cars you were left with the following scenarios in case of accident:

- the impact deformed the car and killed the driver by destroying his organs
- the impact deformed the car, the driver is trapped and poinsened to death
- the impact deformed the car, the driver is burned to death
- a combination of at least 2 of the above

Let me tell you, in case of an accident I'd chose the Caparo T1 hands down, because those guys in the Ultima GTR or Radical SR3 won't be so "lucky".

... then again, a Caparo T1 owner will probably just send the car off to the shop on a flatbed and get into his FXX for more sedate lapping.

Very likely. You'll need to be something like a GP2 driver at least to be trully able to enjoy it.

But non the less it's awsome.

A great deal of thought has gone into the Caparo T1 design to ensure the car will be enjoyable to drive and practical to own and maintain. Body split lines have been carefully designed to ease repair work, suspension travel is adequate for road use, and, most of all, the engine is designed using a road-going philosophy as race engines can be a massive problem to start, run and maintain

 

[Imhotep Evil]

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[Merc1]

It looks so fragile.

M