Brit brothers create raw road racer

Published Mar 22, 2011

Share

British brothers Neill and Ian Briggs have created their answer to the Ariel Atom and KTM X-Bow.

The BAC Mono was designed to bring formula race car levels of handling, performance and excitement to public roads. With an insane power to weight ratio of 388kW per tonne, it surpasses even the Bugatti Veyron in this respect and, according to its maker, can screech from 0-96km/h in just 2.8 seconds, and to 160km/h in 6.7 seconds before topping out at 272km/h.

And the Briggs brothers are not just a bunch of backyard mechanics - in fact they have 15 years of experience in the motor industry, during which time they've handled design and engineering consultancy projects for the likes of Ford, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, through their company Adaptive Space.

The vehicle is constructed in carbon fibre with a tubular steel driver safety cell, complete with an FIA-compliant roll over protection system. Power comes from a 209kW normally-aspirated 2.3-litre Cosworth unit mounted longitudinally and mated to an electronically-controlled, paddle-shift, six-speed sequential Hewland transmission with limited-slip differential.

The rose-jointed, aero profiled pushrod suspension features competition-derived adjustable Sachs Racing dampers.

The driver is secured by a full six-point racing harness by Willans and there is a secure locker in which to store a helmet and the detachable steering wheel when parked. The seat is fixed for safety and optimum weight distribution (48/52 front to rear), and drivers of varying shapes and sizes can be readily accommodated thanks to the fully adjustable pedal box and steering column. There is even the option of an F1-style 'fully-profiled' seat.

Ian Briggs exclaimed: "Mono is the culmination of a 12-year dream for us - the car we wanted to own but nobody else made."

Neill Briggs added: "All cars are built to order on a first-come, first-served basis and our flexible production facility has the capacity to manufacture between 50 and 100 vehicles per year - or more if demand requires. All I can currently say is that the early response has been extremely encouraging."

As for the price tag? Brits will pay £79 950, which works out to about R905 000.

Related Topics: