Concept Climax

06th August 2007

This exciting new British sports car proves that being green doesn’t have to be dull. Called the Climax, the ultra-lightweight two-seater is inspired by the Formula One racing cars of the Fifties and Sixties, and features a mid-mounted, flat-four-cylinder turbocharged engine that runs on E85 bioethanol.

The powerplant produces 270bhp, which is fed to the rear wheels via a five-speed gearbox. A lightweight composite body and spaceframe chassis mean the Climax tips the scales at 546kg – more than 300kg lighter than a Lotus Elise.

As a result, it’s claimed that 0-60mph takes only 3.4 seconds and top speed is 160mph. Considering this performance, economy is reasonable, with 30mpg achievable on a motorway cruise. And as bioethanol is a very clean fuel, emissions are low, too.

The Climax was penned by three Automotive Design graduates from Coventry University, and there are some neat styling touches. Pop-up wing mirrors keep the lines as smooth as possible, while there’s a diffuser at the rear, small aero windscreens and no doors. Inside, the cabin features a composite racing seat with an inflatable lining to accommodate a variety of sizes. There’s also something called the Climax Control, which allows the driver to tweak the engine’s performance via a laptop USB connection. The car’s suspension is also fully adjustable.

The team behind the Climax is working with a number of motor industry partners, and is taking enquiries via its website – at conceptclimax.com – from potential customers. A price tag of around £40,000 is likely.