Freestream | Caparo T1

[McLareN]

Unrivalled 1,000bhp/tonne ultra lightweight Freestream T1 to offer the nearest experience yet to a Formula One racecar

Two engineers who were part of the elite team that designed and developed the iconic McLaren F1 have set up an automotive engineering consultancy whose first project is an agile 1,000bhp/tonne sportscar, dubbed the Freestream T1. Developed for road and track, the ultra lightweight 2-seater will offer a near Formula One performance experience comparable to that of a Le Mans prototype with highly resolved aerodynamics and chassis making the vehicle predictably safe and responsive to driver inputs.

Following a year of design and development, founders Ben Scott-Geddes and Graham Halstead expect to launch the £150,000 car later this year. Interest has already been expressed by half a dozen customers privileged to preview the project and keen to join what will be an exclusive club since the company will only make 25 cars a year for the entire planet. With the first prototype nearing completion the two engineers have moved into brand-new premises that form part of a new automotive business park located at Farnham in Surrey.

Commenting on the inspiration for the Freestream T1 Ben Scott-Geddes said: "We wanted to demonstrate our ability to design from scratch a no-compromise but usable and reliable sports car with the whole vehicle meticulously engineered from the ground up, so as to offer customers a truly unique experience with a full aerodynamic performance package which at present can only be found in a high formula racecar."

Commenting on the critical wind-tunnel testing co-founder Graham Halstead added: "As well as offering a unique racecar performance experience we were equally concerned to make the car as safe as possible. The result is an extremely stable aerodynamic platform to complement its feather weight of 465kg and compact powertrain which delivers 480bhp from a bespoke 2.4-litre V8 F1-specification engine. The driver and passenger will experience extremely rapid acceleration as well as 3g cornering and braking performance."

"Our aim is to move the performance envelope up to current sports-prototype levels thereby setting a new benchmark for a road car exemplified by its agility and handling abilities," said Scott-Geddes. "We’ve spoken to enthusiastic owners who have become frustrated and bored with their regular sports and race cars, whose potential is heavily restricted through constrained engineering and race formula regulations. In that respect we’ve torn up the rule book to give customers what they ultimately desire: a road car with an uncompromised yet safe performance experience."

Further details will be announced closer to the launch. Meanwhile, the company is keeping the Freestream T1 specifications under wraps but has prepared an introductory website at www.freestreamcars.com.

[McLareN]

This is totally wicked IMO! Can't wait to see the real deal.

[smxi]

This is totally wicked IMO! Can't wait to see the real deal.
I could wait.:D

[jorismo]

I wonder how they will get such a performance and still get comfort to make it an allday car...

[Vaigra]

£150k...if it lives upto it's expectations, should be a bit of a bargain.

[McLareN]

I could wait.:D

Yeah, Im aware of that. :D

[drakkie]

I wonder how they will get such a performance and still get comfort to make it an allday car...

Simple... NOT :)

edit: for those of you who were not able to get the specs on their own :D
http://www.freestreamcars.com/downloads/FreestreamT1BrochureV.1.0.1.pdf

[Pando]

Interesting idea indeed. I like. :)

[mclaren_crazy]

I think if they were really going fo rthe hard-core car with 1000/tonne and trying to get as close to f1 as possible, they shoudl have made it a one seater not two

[Vaigra]

I think if they were really going fo rthe hard-core car with 1000/tonne and trying to get as close to f1 as possible, they shoudl have made it a one seater not twoBut if it's road use, you might have a passenger.

[cmcpokey]

daddy want... daddy want really bad

[Egg Nog]

This easily has the potential to be one of the coolest cars of all time.

I was just about to post this (from Vietnam :D) but I searched Freestream and saw you beat me to it ;)

So ridiculously awesome. Oh man.

[Hatatitla]

This is awesome, can't wait to see someone testing it !

[Pando]

This is awesome, can't wait to see someone testing it !
...and a welcome to you! :)

[Mustang]

homg me wants

[PerfAdv]

Simply awesome! This concept is what I had suggested as the ultimate sports car in the thread asking for, "ultimate light weight sports car". An F1 based, light as possible, minimalist sport scar. The beauty of this car is the simplicity of its design while still achieving phenomenal performance.

A couple of comments/questions come to mind. The front wheels need a more complete shrouding to limit spray-up on wet roads. Image, so important in how a car is perceived, how will this car be received? As a Supercar or the ultimate Ariel/Caterham-type LWS?

[Matra et Alpine]

A couple of comments/questions come to mind. The front wheels need a more complete shrouding to limit spray-up on wet roads.
if you look at their brochure it's more noticable that the winglet holding the front wheel shrouds extends back quite far and is going to provide low speed protection and high speed air flow to redirect the spray.
The angle on the cover is also quite noticable and possibly is used to "move" the spray to the outside. ( again only something likely to work at speed tho' :) )
But yeah put some serious wet tyres on and I think you might get a little muck on that pretty cockpit bubble. Or maybe not as the aerodynamics are quite interesting.

Image, so important in how a car is perceived, how will this car be received? As a Supercar or the ultimate Ariel/Caterham-type LWS?
Hard to call.
For definite an ultimate trackday car.
A lot of folsk use F40s, Diablos. Lotii, 7s, Nobles etc etc
WOudl definately grab the top echelon of those spenders for sure.
Will it make it as a "road" car ?
I think yes for the rich aspirational who wants to go one better than the Atom :D

[RacingManiac]

its lighter AND more powerful than the Atom, plus it uses aero......

3G of cornering and braking would mean it needs pretty serious tire....

[austin healey]

looks like a starving ferrari enzo UGLY!!!

[johnnyperl]

as a trackday-only car its stupid cause you might as well buy a real open wheel single seater. like most supercars, it will be just a status symbol. its a good ideabut def not ground breaking. the execution is also poor (looks quite odd overall).

incredible monocoque, any pics without those guys on it?

[Matt]

Freestream T1 addresses fundamental car design issues

As the world’s first road car to exceed 1,000bhp-per-tonne the Freestream T1 is perhaps bound to grab the headlines. Yet the car couldn’t be further removed from the ‘no expense spared high technology approach’ that might be imagined. Indeed the same key issues facing mainstream car designers – such as active and passive safety, vehicle performance as well as weight, complexity and cost – were all addressed at a fundamental level when the Freestream T1 was conceived and was a primary inspiration for the car.
"To demonstrate our understanding of these fundamental vehicle engineering issues we set out to design an optimum package for delivering 1,000bhp-per-tonne," says Freestream co-founder Ben Scott-Geddes. "Interestingly, the sweet spot on the curve that satisfies many of these issues is 500 horsepower in a vehicle with a mass of 500kg."

"You can deliver higher engine outputs up to 1,000bhp and beyond," explains fellow director Graham Halstead, "but that means more weight, which adds significant cost and complexity to the car. Conversely, a 300bhp-per-300kg approach can severely compromise crash worthiness because of insufficient structural mass. An extremely lightweight approach can cause costs to spiral through the use of exotic materials. And less horsepower means a restricted top speed and aerodynamic performance."

"Having arrived at the optimum power-to-weight ratio a major engineering challenge was to design a powertrain of around 100kg; without which it would have been impossible to meet our overall vehicle design requirements," says Scott-Geddes.

Halstead and Scott-Geddes share an impressive track record and formed part of the small engineering team that worked on the McLaren F1 and Mercedes-McLaren SLR. In terms of sheer vehicle performance their vision for the Freestream T1 was an ultra-lightweight car capable of reaching 100mph in five seconds, with a top speed exceeding 200mph depending on the adjustable aerodynamic set-up, with enough downforce to corner at more than 3g – about the same as a Le Mans prototype – and the ability to stop on the proverbial sixpence.

However, in terms of addressing fundamental automotive industry issues – such as safety and CO2 emissions for example – the car will showcase the consultancy’s core credentials. "Concept vehicles are ten-a-penny and this is more than a one-off prototype," says Scott-Geddes. "The only way to truly convince car makers that we have the experience and skills to design and engineer a safe, reliable, cost-efficient albeit high-performance car is to actually design and build one. We then have something to discuss."

"In addition, there is a global market for an exclusive ultra-high performance track car that can also be used on the road; so in effect we’ve found an exciting way of funding our demonstrator," added Halstead. "Customers for the car will either be private individuals with a passion for high performance sports cars or corporate clients requiring an affordable yet prestigious track car for the fast growing market of hospitality race experience events. Meanwhile, we look forward to working closely with automotive clients to help tackle their design engineering issues."

The Freestream T1 powertrain comprises a bespoke 2.4-litre supercharged V8 aluminium engine with a mass of approximately 85kg. Similarly, the 6-speed sequential transmission with magnesium casing is a bespoke design with a mass of approximately 30kg. The carbon/aluminium honeycomb monocoque features a separate composite crash structure at the front, while the rear sub-frame specifies aerospace grade steel. The non carbon-fibre steel suspension, for example, illustrates the company’s ability to specify structural materials that can deliver the maximum performance at the lowest possible cost. Overall, the £150,000 price tag underlines the company’s ability to design and build an exclusive car at a relatively low price despite its ultra high performance.

[Matt]

Freestream T1 #3

[johnnyperl]

thanks again!!

[Matra et Alpine]

as a trackday-only car its stupid cause you might as well buy a real open wheel single seater.
But not if you want to take a passenger :)
Or want to get tuition from a professional driver on getting the most from it on trackdays.
So all in all a good tool for showing off to your mates.
It's got the looks, goes fast AND you can scare the sh!t out of them by putting them in it :D
The only similar opportunity would be from one of the specialised two-seater single-seaters :D of which few examples exist and aren't road legal.
I think they've got hteir market and the price that market will stand spot on !

the execution is also poor (looks quite odd overall).
Aesthetics are always personal.
But whether the aerodynamic and chassis balance execution is "poor" will be proven on teh track. But I doubt it woudl be anywehre near the "poor" end of the scale :D
And even on llooks I think they've tagged their market well !!

[Coventrysucks]

as a trackday-only car its stupid cause you might as well buy a real open wheel single seater.

Cars with two seats already exsist, why bother building any more?

In fact, cars already exsist, so manufacturers should just stop building any new models.

Those arguments aside,

This is an excellent lesson in "how to build supercars" that many people would do well to listen to.

Not too much of anything:
In terms of performance - not making claims you cannot live up to (Bugatti)
In terms of building - not going to town on exotic materials for the sake of it and ending up with a car that costs much more than it should (MBR)

[Vaigra]

1000bhp/tonne and it still takes over 4 seconds to reach 60...that's confusing.

[Matra et Alpine]

1000bhp/tonne and it still takes over 4 seconds to reach 60...that's confusing.
It's currently only an estimate and possibly quoted for road spec. I suspect rather than typical over-hype from some you're seeing the usual English "aplomb" that cites Bentley perfomance only ever as "sufficient".
So I expect THIS car will meet the 4 sec target easily and immediately on first outing. How long has the Veyron taken ( and how much money ) to start coming close to the early numbers being thrown about by the PR guys ?? :D I prefer realism over hype any day :D

Also, TRACTION. If you want fast straight line you want BIG rubber to get the grip. BUT that is then a negative when it comes to handling. SO I suspect we're seeing the results of the compromise.

I suspect we'll see it reach 3 secs on road rubber.
If they make the suspension and transmission strong enough tehn down in the Ultima numbers :D

[johnnyperl]

RE aerodynamics, they went through the trouble of creating "body work" rather than just putting fenders on it but i dont think they did a good job. alot of the drag from open wheels is behind the wheels. all the body work they have is in front of them which can/will only do so much. instead of attaching the front fenders to the body with that side-wing thing they could have run them directly into the upright (so that they are fixed but the wheel is free to turn). this would have been much more effective.

The mirrors (im assuming thats whats at the end of the chopped off front fenders) will get very dirty.

i wish it was just the tub, engine, and simple fenders. like a safer/faster Atom. they've hidden all the bits that make these cars special (exposed drivetrain and suspension).

[Matra et Alpine]

RE aerodynamics, they went through the trouble of creating "body work" rather than just putting fenders on it but i dont think they did a good job. alot of the drag from open wheels is behind the wheels.
In open wheelers I was always taught it is in the top /rear of the tyre because the tyre is rotating and that part of the surface is moving in opposite direction to the airflow thus preventing laminar flow and causing massive turbulence as two airflows of near equal speed encounter each other head to head.

Do you have references on the actual effects of the various parts ?

I was also interested to see they ran the top surface at approx 15 deg angle and looks like they are intending the airflow to split down the sides of the tyre. Intrigued to see how it breaks away from that wing connecting to the bodywork.

all the body work they have is in front of them which can/will only do so much. instead of attaching the front fenders to the body with that side-wing thing they could have run them directly into the upright (so that they are fixed but the wheel is free to turn). this would have been much more effective.
But forgets that the "wing" may be there for a purpose to control and direct the airflow for minimum drag to the rear profile. When you look at the wing/mirror assembly as a medium for creating a laminar flow and directing that it starts to make sense. From the shape it's possible they are even getting downforce from it ??
They are clearly using the front bodywork and wings for aerodynamic benefit. Something near impossible to do with wheel mounted fenders.

The mirrors (I'm assuming thats whats at the end of the chopped off front fenders) will get very dirty.
?heh? ONLY if the air flow is turbulent enough off their rear edge to draw dirty water in far enough to meet the mirror surface. There will be a very clean laminar flow along those surfaces and I think it will exit the edge with little turbulence. Can't see from any of the pics how far set in teh mirrors are either :(

i wish it was just the tub, engine, and simple fenders. like a safer/faster Atom. they've hidden all the bits that make these cars special (exposed drivetrain and suspension).
They're not competing with the Atom and an Atom is beyond the limit of safe/comfortable driving already. Visible engineering has a limited life IMHO as it presents major issues ( like aero ) that fundamentally limit top speed and safety.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

Design Appears Ripped off from the Hulme F1 (A New Zealand Supercar, of all things)

It's ugly, in either incarnation.

[johnnyperl]

In open wheelers I was always taught it is in the top /rear of the tyre because the tyre is rotating and that part of the surface is moving in opposite direction to the airflow thus preventing laminar flow and causing massive turbulence as two airflows of near equal speed encounter each other head to head.
from what i know, there is a large pressure drop behind the wheel. this cause boundy layer seperation and alot of turbulence. this is gonna cause alot of drag since youre trying to overcome the pressure differential front to rear. putting a fairing in front will help but the real problem is behind the wheel. this illustrates the difference infront of and behind thw wheels:
http://www.compusys.co.uk/NR/rdonlyres/B52574BC-71F8-49FD-93DE-1E5036F71F12/0/ACFDFormula1Windtunnel.jpg
yeah, the top is a problem but friction with the air is gonna cause far less drag then trying to over come the above effect (this an is educated guess, but i thnk it's valid).

They are clearly using the front bodywork and wings for aerodynamic benefit.
thats my point :D , because of this they could have supported it with the upright or top A-arm and had the load go directly into the wheel. but it would have probably required quite a bit more work. The fatigue on the carbon would be quite bad.

?heh? ONLY if the air flow is turbulent enough off their rear edge to draw dirty water in far enough to meet the mirror surface. There will be a very clean laminar flow along those surfaces and I think it will exit the edge with little turbulence. Can't see from any of the pics how far set in teh mirrors are either :(
well, any time you have a vertical surface in a flow its going to have turbulence behind it which tends to deposit dirt on the surface. not a major design point of the car :D , just thought it was interesting packaging.

They're not competing with the Atom and an Atom is beyond the limit of safe/comfortable driving already. Visible engineering has a limited life IMHO as it presents major issues ( like aero ) that fundamentally limit top speed and safety.
good points. i guess this was just more my personal tase. I like the atom because i like to see the technical parts of a car and id rather have a car with incredible acceleration and cornering (and those looks) than one with better top speed potential.

off topic but i hope to have time soon to go down to Brammo motorsports. theyre the US makers of the Atom and relativley close to me. theyre also an impressive engineering and composite shop:
http://www.brammo.com/

I should have known you wouldnt let me get away with those comments :D.

[Matra et Alpine]

from what i know, there is a large pressure drop behind the wheel. this cause boundy layer seperation and alot of turbulence.
yes for sure, BUT note how they have EXTENDED that top and as I said have angled it slightly. You are a LONG way from just an open wheel.
Note also that the front alters the airflow from the F1 example you're using.

yeah, the top is a problem but friction with the air is gonna cause far less drag then trying to over come the above effect (this an is educated guess, but i think it's valid).
It's NOT "friction" it's the turbulence caused by the semi-laminar flow that attaches to the wheel coming up from the ground and over.
By extending the wing a long way back I think they are addressing all these issues for the reasons I'd stated.

thats my point :D , because of this they could have supported it with the upright or top A-arm and had the load go directly into the wheel.
erm, F1 learned THAT lesson 35 years ago. You do NOT mount wings to suspension as the shocks from the wheel movement cause stress fracturing. BAD IDEA. If you look around you find NOBODY DOES IT -- there is a reason :D The closest was the attempt to make the arm an actual aerofoil - but they banned that right away :D

well, any time you have a vertical surface in a flow its going to have turbulence behind it which tends to deposit dirt on the surface. not a major design point of the car :D , just thought it was interesting packaging.
Did you read my comment about the expected velocity off that rear and the question on how deep set the mirror was. It may be designed to use th laminar flow breakaway to keep it clean - that's the beauty of aero you can see it as a friend or an enemy :D

good points. i guess this was just more my personal tase. I like the atom because i like to see the technical parts of a car and id rather have a car with incredible acceleration and cornering (and those looks) than one with better top speed potential.
We've not heard anything about it's cornering yet.
There's a goo chance it will be better than the Atom purely because it has a body that is generating downforce. The Atom treats it's body as a brick. something to move throw the air and no more. Clearly this thing is trying to use the air as much as possible :D

off topic but i hope to have time soon to go down to Brammo motorsports. theyre the US makers of the Atom and relativley close to me. theyre also an impressive engineering and composite shop:
http://www.brammo.com/ (http://www.brammo.com/)
"maker" -- do you mean assembler to get around the US importation limits ?
Or are they actually going to fabricate the chassis and components ?

I should have known you wouldnt let me get away with those comments :D.
nah good debate.
The F1 pic was good as it's making me think twice about how the airflow will be in a closed wheel with open rear :D Kind of like a few sportscars ran in racing in the 60s. I still think the air directed round the wheel by the front "splitter" will reconnect and form a reasonable exit, but will it be directed up or down --- mmmmm one to think on overnight :D

[johnnyperl]

ahh...
too much to respond to now. yes, its a good debate. i dont know enough about fluid mechanics to be able to just look at something and figure it out but thinking it out like this is interesting.

Brammo acutaly "redesigned" some of the Atom, especially the manufacturing process. the chassis is now TIG instead of just brazed (!) and the roll bar has been suplemented with a squarish bar that shouls do a better job. theyve also added a carbon bottom as an option though but i dont think it does much for strength for the overall chassis.

[Matra et Alpine]

Brammo acutaly "redesigned" some of the Atom, especially the manufacturing process. the chassis is now TIG instead of just brazed (!)
That being they can use an automoatic tig welder to do teh job of a craftsman :D
Depends on the tubing material but that may weaken it ( of course it may also strengthen it - perhaps making the chassis stiffer -- whcih eeryoen who ever studied chassis design by Colin CHapman recognises as not always the "right thing" )
Brazing uses less heat and is stronger, better in vibration environments, withstand impact better.
( of course that's in the hands of a decent welder. Heat Affected Zones can be equally large for all fo them with a poor welder at the stick :D )


and the roll bar has been suplemented with a squarish bar that shouls do a better job. theyve also added a carbon bottom as an option though but i dont think it does much for strength for the overall chassis.
The Carbon bottom will almost CERTAINLY be to reduce the risk of puncture and subseqquen injury to driver ? ( or it may jsut be good sales getting custoemr to pay form more "bling" :D )

Not sure about the roll bar bit.
WHat engines are they shipping ? Coudl it be in for a US spec change on teh engine ?
Wonder why they wanted to add SQUARE tube. Sounds fishy .....

[Jack_Bauer]

Not sure about the roll bar bit.
WHat engines are they shipping ? Coudl it be in for a US spec change on teh engine ?
Wonder why they wanted to add SQUARE tube. Sounds fishy .....

Not sure if he meant actual square tubing, I think he may have been referring to the shape of the overall roll hoop. I believe you can now actually specify a roll bar similar to the ones used on the Atom race cars.....
http://gallery.atomclub.com/albums/userpics/10004/Cadwell%20Park%20-%2010%20Jul%2005%20002.jpg

Not sure it does much for it aesthetically, but definitely looks safer. :)

[Matra et Alpine]

Not sure if he meant actual square tubing, I think he may have been referring to the shape of the overall roll hoop. I believe you can now actually specify a roll bar similar to the ones used on the Atom race cars.....


Not sure it does much for it aesthetically, but definitely looks safer. :)
Got it now.

Yeah that's the requirement to pass the FIA safety tests if competing.

Didn't know that anyone was offering it for the road cars where it's abit of an overkill.

[JakRcr]

1000bhp/tonne and it still takes over 4 seconds to reach 60...that's confusing.


Their website says 0-60 in <2.5s and 0-100 in <5s.

http://www.freestreamcars.com/

[Vaigra]

Freestream / Caparo T1 #4

(from Caparo Press Release) The first ever Caparo T1, the world’s most exclusive prototype high performance road and track car, will premiere at the world’s most prestigious motoring event: the Top Marques show in Monaco. The dramatic 1,000bhp-per-tonne T1, which defines an entirely new breed of supercar that is lighter than a Caterham but with twice the power-to-weight ratio of a Bugatti Veyron, will be unveiled at the show by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II.

This exclusive preview of the first prototype T1 forms a significant centrepiece for the show, which is being held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte-Carlo in the heartland of one of the world's most glamorous locations and centres of motoring heritage. The presentation of the aerodynamically formed supercar will be witnessed by Angad Paul chief executive of Caparo plc together with Caparo Vehicle Technologies’ design director Ben Scott-Geddes and engineering director Graham Halstead, the two ex-McLaren engineers whose inspiration helped create the car.

The ultra lightweight T1, which weighs less than 500kg, is a British designed 2-seater which has been developed using aerospace and high formula racing technology. The compact Caparo V8 engine develops approximately 500bhp and the resultant 1,000bhp-per-tonne power-to-weight ratio endows the T1 with an extraordinary 0-60mph time of 2.5 seconds, 0-100mph time of 5 seconds and 0-100-0mph time of less than 10 seconds making it the world’s fastest accelerating and braking road car. It is also fast round corners with 3g braking and cornering ability equivalent to a Le Mans Prototype.

The T1’s high power-to-weight ratio delivers phenomenal performance on the track. Similarly, the same principles of lightweight design in a car one-third the weight of the average family saloon combined with a normal 15 gallon (70-litre) fuel tank means a range better than the average car of up to 500 miles (800km) on public highways. And that is sufficient to tackle seven hours of driving from London to Le Mans, a distance of 338 miles (544km), without refuelling, before putting in a blistering performance on the circuit.

Commenting on the mould-breaking Caparo T1 Angad Paul said: "This car is in a class of its own when it comes to overall performance; but it also addresses in the most dramatic way possible fundamental design issues facing the automotive industry today. The same approach to aerodynamics, choice of materials and efficient design, which have allowed us to achieve the world’s most reasonably priced supercar, can be applied in equal measure to create affordable, safe, yet lightweight, fuel-efficient family cars."

This will be the first time that Caparo Vehicle Technologies has exhibited at any event. The stunning T1 was created to demonstrate the company’s ability to design and manufacture the world’s first 1,000bhp-per-tonne road and track car, whose performance is close to that of a formula one racer. More than a concept, this ultra high performance car is designed for low volume production to underscore the company’s technical know-how and competence in whole vehicle design. With deposits already being taken the hand built car will be available to the first customers later this year.

Event director Robert Evans said: "We are delighted to welcome the Caparo T1 to the Top Marques show in Monaco where up to 10,000 high net worth collectors and enthusiasts, together with 120 journalists and television crews from around the world, will view an amazing mix of luxury cars and rare supercars at this prestigious motoring event. The T1 is a truly exceptional car and its groundbreaking approach will appeal not only to our VIP visitors but also mainstream automotive engineers facing the enormous challenge of how to stop cars from getting heavier and heavier with each new generation."

Caparo has confirmed that it will present the T1 prototype for the duration of the show, which runs from Thursday 20 April to Sunday 23 April 2006 in the week following Easter. Some of the most exclusive car brands in the world will feature at the show with manufacturers present from around the globe.

As well as opening the show and unveiling the Caparo T1, Prince Albert will officially bestow his high patronage by hosting a gala dinner for 450 wealthy, titled and influential VIPs where a substantial amount of the proceeds will be donated to some of the Prince’s charities.

[250 GTO]

Looks amazing!

[johnnyperl]

unofficial debut...

[Egg Nog]

unofficial debut...

That's a serious trailer load :)

[Rockefella]

More pikturz.

[Rockefella]

And some specs:

Power to Weight: 1000 bhp/ton
0-60 mph Acceleration: <2.5 seconds (depending in tire setup)
0-100 mph Acceleration: <5 seconds
Top Speed: >200 mph (low downforce setup)
Max Lateral Acceleration: ~3 Gs
Max Braking Deceleration: ~3 Gs

Engine: 2.4 L dry-sumped supercharged 32-valve aluminum V8; 500 bhp @ 10,500 rpm
Gearbox: 6-speed magnesium-cased, electro-hydrualicly actuated sequential
Chassis: 2-seat carbon fiber & aluminum honeycomb monocoque; front composite crash structure; aerospace grade rear tubular spaceframe

[Vaigra]

Freestream / Caparo T1 #7

Rocke's images in higher res :)

[KonaGreen]

Hhhhhooooooooooooooollllyyyyyyyyyy Shit.

That is seriously off the hook.

[Street_Dreamer]

Hhhhhooooooooooooooollllyyyyyyyyyy Shit.

That is seriously off the hook.
what he said

[Suka]

Wing mirrors are clever. Making sure its road legal but not compromising on the design too much.

[RacingManiac]

heh they are using AIM dash for the car....

[ZeTurbo]

what an absolutely insane car.

[Egg Nog]

Wing mirrors are clever. Making sure its road legal but not compromising on the design too much.

Totally :) - I also love how they did the tails... minimalist, to disrupt the engineering as little as possible while remaining street-legal.

[Zondaboy1]

oh my god....wow...incredible....no adj. could describe this car. that is just all everything.... the rear areo, So sexy all those vents. ho man this is a contender for me to become T1boy1 :p . that car is off the hook major. big pimpin.. no jelly ass here. this all tight n nice

[johnnyperl]

heh they are using AIM dash for the car....
We're ordering one this week. :D
You guys use it too?

[Vaigra]

Freestream / Caparo T1 #8

One more of the prototype.

[Sauc3]

Caparo T1 to make its UK debut at Goodwood

The world’s most exclusive road and track car - the Caparo T1 - is to make its UK debut at the famous Goodwood Festival of Speed. A preview of the first Caparo T1 prototype will help showcase the company’s technological talents, preceding an attempt on the Goodwood hill climb in 2007.

The brainchild of ex-McLaren engineers, the Caparo T1 has the pedigree and qualifications necessary for a serious attempt up the famous 1-mile hill - but not before completing a rigorous 2006 test programme. Meanwhile, the first pre-production model, built purely as a show car, will tease the crowds as a static exhibit sitting menacingly in the supercar paddock throughout the weekend as it weighs up the opposition.

The world’s first production road car to exceed 1,000bhp-per-tonne promises an astonishing 0-60mph time of 2½ seconds and the closest experience yet to a Formula One race car on the track. Even when motionless the Caparo T1 looks the business; and with every cubic millimetre shaped solely by its functionality its performance should prove as dramatic as it looks.

"Our powertrain is comparable to an F1 car so we should give a good account of ourselves on the hill climb," said Graham Halstead engineering director Caparo Vehicle Technologies. "For reliability we restrict the rev limit of our 2.4-litre V8 engine to less than that of an F1 car, but have the benefit of it being supercharged which improves low end torque and driveability."

"A lot depends on tyre specification and mechanical grip; and whether the track is wet or dry," added design director and company co-founder Ben Scott-Geddes. "An English summer is notoriously unpredictable and Goodwood has suffered its share of torrential downpours as well as blisteringly hot weekends. Ultimately, track times come down to power-to-weight ratio and sheer dynamic performance."

More than 150,000 visitors are anticipated throughout the Goodwood motorsport weekend to see the Caparo T1 close-up, including many celebrities and VIPs from the world of motorsport. More than 300 journalists, 200 press photographers, 20 TV channels and 9 radio stations will cover the event worldwide. To accommodate the high level of media interest in the car the company will participate with its senior management team comprising Angad Paul, chief executive Caparo plc, Richard Butler, chief executive Caparo Vehicle Products, together with design director Ben Scott-Geddes, engineering director Graham Halstead and commercial director Sean Butcher, from Caparo Vehicle Technologies.

"For the automotive enthusiast the Caparo T1 is bound to impress in the most dramatic way possible," said Angad Paul, "but it’s also a technical demonstrator for us to reveal new and advanced technology to carmakers and their Tier 1 suppliers. The same approach to aerodynamics, choice of materials and efficient design, which has allowed us to develop the Caparo T1, can be applied in equal measure to create safe, affordable, fuel-efficient and lightweight family cars."

Caparo announced the T1 project earlier this year, defining an entirely new breed of road and track supercar that is lighter than a Caterham but with twice the power-to-weight ratio of a Bugatti Veyron. The eye-catching Caparo T1 was created to demonstrate the company’s technical know-how and competence in whole vehicle design. Running prototypes are now under construction for a 2006 test programme to confirm the vehicle’s robustness and reliability before it goes on sale.

Arguably the world’s most exciting car project since the McLaren F1, the spiritual successor to the iconic F1 supercar is a pure and undiluted high performance two-seater designed to give customers an affordable season on the track without major rebuilds or the King’s ransom costs of running an ex-Formula One car for the same experience. With deposits already being taken, the hand built car has been tentatively priced at £165,000 and is expected to be available to the first customers later this year.

"Goodwood’s celebration of a centenary of Grand Prix racing provides an ideal backdrop to showcase a car that will be the first to offer a driving experience close to the performance of a modern Formula One car," said Sean Butcher commercial director Caparo Vehicle Technologies.

The appearance of the Caparo T1 complements a spectacular line-up at Goodwood of Grand Prix cars from the past 100 years, including the Renault AK 90CV that won the first GP in 1906 right through to last season’s championship winner.

A century of technological advances have led to a tenfold increase in the power-to-weight ratio of modern F1 cars compared with the first generation of Grand Prix cars. The old GP cars developed around 105bhp in structures weighing not more than 1,000kg, the maximum permitted by the regulations of the day, compared with around 800bhp raced at 600kg for a modern F1 car.

By comparison the Caparo T1 is a mere featherweight delivering almost 500bhp with a vehicle mass of less than 500kg – lighter even than a fully ballasted F1 car in race condition. Both have V8 engines of 2.4 litres capacity the main difference being the restriction of the Caparo engine to 10,500rpm in the interests of reliability compared with around 20,000rpm from an F1 engine.

The Caparo T1 will be displayed throughout the Goodwood Festival of Speed weekend, which is proclaimed as the world’s biggest celebration of motorsport history. The show runs from Friday 7 July to Sunday 9 July.

Caparo T1 #9

[ZeTurbo]

It looks more like a space ship thn a car.
It would look right at home in any Star Treck movie...

It must go like hell tho...

[Ferrer]

Despite starship performance... it's still ugly...

[90ft]

Fantastic. Can't wait to see it at Goodwood.

[KonaGreen]

Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeebus Jones!!! This looks like real terror to me, but we'll see what happens when it finally turns a wheel in anger.

[Rijoh]

It looks sooo awesome :) Just a racer, nothing streetwise about it... Da BOMB :)

[man 430gt]

Craziest car around, period.

[Vaigra]

Caparo T1 #9

[Vaigra]

Caparo T1 #10

[Sledgehammer]

oh man, I really like it in white.

[Ferrer]

What does the plate on the red car mean? If seen it on a Tesla prototype too (I mean of the same type). Is it for prototypes/test mules only?

[Matra et Alpine]

What does the plate on the red car mean? If seen it on a Tesla prototype too (I mean of the same type). Is it for prototypes/test mules only?
Those are British "trade plates".
It is a way to drive an unregistered car on the road.
A business owns the plate and is allowed to put it on an unregistered car.
I've not seen it on a prototype before, only on unregistered cars being moved or test drive.
Guess it covers protos too :)

[Ferrer]

Thank you for the info Matra. :)

[RenesisEvo]

The 'PF' in the plate is the local area identifier, in this case PF denotes Guildford, so presumably the company are based in that area.

Trade plates are also used by the motor trade - hence the name - to drive cars which aren't registered to any particular person (i.e. cars in a dealership), for insurance purposes.

[90ft]

I remember las year it was priced at 125,000 Pounds UK
Now I see it's up to 185,000 Pounds UK

That's an expensive toy.

[Duell]

Caparo T1 #11

7 June 2007

Caparo T1 breaks cover during final stages of test and development

Caparo Vehicle Technologies – a new and advanced automotive engineering consultancy formed a year ago by the rapidly expanding Caparo Group to provide carmakers globally with a centre of excellence in lightweight vehicle design – is putting the finishing touches to the first car it has ever produced.

The Caparo T1 is a high performance two-seater sports car with highly resolved aerodynamics, which has been designed with the looks and performance close to that of a Formula One race car. With series production about to commence, the car will be built for discerning customers seeking the ultimate track day experience in a road driveable vehicle. The Caparo T1 also serves as a technology flagship for demonstrating the company’s high level vehicle design and engineering capabilities.

“We said a year ago, at the outset of this programme, that the only way to truly convince carmakers that we have the experience and skills to design a safe, reliable, cost-efficient and high-performance car is to actually design and build one,” says Ben Scott-Geddes, the car’s co-designer and operations director at Caparo Vehicle Technologies. “We’ve now done so … we’re proud of what we’ve achieved … and we now have something real and tangible to discuss.”

Releasing full details of the car’s specification during the final stages of prototype testing and development, the company has revealed that while customer cars are being readied for start of production, preparations are also well in hand for the T1’s first public appearance as a running car and star attraction at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 22-24 June 2007 – which effectively becomes the vehicle’s launch date.

With distributors appointed in the UK, USA, South Africa and Dubai and more dealers under evaluation the company has a fast-filling order book. The handover of the car to the first customer is scheduled for July.

The biggest attraction for customers and the most striking aspect of the car’s specification is its headline figure of 1,045bhp-per-tonne power-to-weight ratio. The Caparo T1 is the first series production car ever to break through the 1,000bhp-per-tonne barrier. This has been achieved by installing a home-grown 3.5-litre Caparo V8 engine, which produces 575bhp (425kW) at 10,500rpm and 420Nm (310lbft) at 9,000rpm, into an extremely lightweight body and chassis constructed of advanced composite materials and weighing just 550kg.

The Caparo T1 is around one-third the mass of the average family saloon. Its carbon/aluminium honeycomb monocoque features a separate composite crash structure at the front, while the rear sub-frame specifies aerospace grade steel. The non carbon-fibre steel suspension illustrates the company’s ability to specify structural materials that can deliver the maximum performance at the lowest possible cost.

This means the Caparo T1 is lighter and faster even than a race-winning Le Mans sportscar. In terms of power-to-weight ratio its closest rival would be the latest super-bikes, which are now capable of delivering 175bhp into 185kg thereby just falling short of the magic 1,000bhp-per-tonne figure. Apart from these two wheelers and Formula One cars, no other road or track car comes anywhere close to the Caparo T1’s power-to-weight ratio and highly efficient aerodynamic properties.

This supreme power-to-weight ratio results in a 0-60mph time of less than 2.5 seconds and the ability to reach 100mph within five seconds. Braking performance is no less impressive with 100mph to standstill being delivered in 3.5 seconds.

“We’re absolutely delighted with the progress we’ve made throughout the test and development programme,” says engineering director and T1 co-designer Graham Halstead. “The aerodynamic efficiency was already well established through wind tunnel testing of a scale model even before we built the first prototype. With tens of thousands of miles of durability trials and specific testing now under our belts we have progressively fine tuned the specification of the vehicle to meet and exceed even our high performance objectives.”

“The combination of highly resolved aerodynamics and chassis make the vehicle predictably safe and responsive to driver inputs,” adds Scott-Geddes. “The car drives and handles extremely well both on the road and track and this was the number one consideration in such an uncompromised high performance vehicle.”

“The Caparo T1 not only looks and performs like a Formula One car but it also helps us to demonstrate new and advanced technology to vehicle manufacturers in the aerospace, automotive, defence, marine and motorsport industries,” says Richard Butler director Caparo Vehicle Technologies and chief executive of Caparo Vehicle Products. “Already, we’re working on a number of highly confidential client projects, applying the same approach to aerodynamics, choice of materials and efficient vehicle design, which has allowed us to develop the T1.”

“Ultimately, our goal is to help carmakers to create a new generation of more fuel-efficient and lightweight family cars with significantly lower CO 2 emissions more in keeping with the needs of the 21 st century,” says Angad Paul chief executive of the $1.2bn turnover Caparo Group, a fast-growing automotive Tier 1 supplier, which created Caparo Vehicle Technologies to back the T1 project. “We will help carmakers achieve their objectives by continuing to invest in advanced technology in order to develop new lightweight materials and commercialise their manufacturing processes so they are affordable for mass production.”

“Given the car’s performance potential - the engine has already been successfully bench tested to 700bhp on methanol - we are now looking into the possibility of introducing for our customers an international T1 race series,” says commercial director Sean Butcher. “Our objective is to give customers an affordable and reliable season on the track without incurring the extraordinary costs of running a real Formula One car.”

“Customers comprise private individuals with a passion and desire for ultra high performance and corporate clients requiring an affordable yet prestigious track car for the fast growing market of hospitality race experience events,” added Butcher.

In terms of colour and trim each of these highly exclusive hand-built cars, which has a starting price of £190,000 (excluding taxes), will be tailored to suit individual customer requirements.

Caparo V8 engine specification:

* Bespoke 3.5 litre normally-aspirated fuel-injected V8
* 575bhp (425kW) at 10,500rpm
* 420Nm (310lbft) at 9,000rpm
* Original concept tested at up to 700bhp (515kW) on methanol
* Limited to 10,500rpm for reliability but designed for maximum 12,000rpm
* 90 degree V8, 4 valves per cylinder, 4 overhead camshafts

[Jack_Bauer]

Four VERY short but sweet videos of the Caparo during track testing. They seem to be from the same press shoot as the pics above, so presumably they were shooting a proper length promo video also which will be interesting to see...

http://www.pistonheads.tv/clip1264
http://www.pistonheads.tv/clip1265
http://www.pistonheads.tv/clip1266
http://www.pistonheads.tv/clip1267

[Duell]

It looks a lot like thats the Top Gear test track ?? Especially when looking at the videos.

[ScionDriver]

There is a really good article in August's issue of Road and Track magazine, I can't find it on their website yet, but its by Gordon Murray and if you get the chance to read it I highly recommend it, its very technical.

[scubasteve87]

This is quite possibly the coolest car ever. I mean, you're essentially getting an F1 car for two that you can drive on the road, imagine this bad boy rolling into a track day, the Porsche owners would quite simply crap themselves

[Roentgen]

A few pics from the brochure.