New BAC Mono R launched at Goodwood

BAC has launched a higher-performance version of its road legal track-day car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, called the Mono R. Upgrades include a revised chassis setup, a re-tuned engine and a range of aerodynamic tweaks. Production is limited to just 30 units, all of which have already been sold to existing BAC customers, priced at £190,950 each.

Chassis revisions include new two-way adjustable Ohlins dampers, updated suspension geometry and new Pirelli Trofeo R tyres. BAC claims these updates reduce the Mono’s pitch under braking, offering increased anti-dive for the front axle, increased anti-squat for the rear axle and better traction.

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BAC has managed to shave 25kg off the Mono R’s kerb weight by fitting it with lighter AP Racing calipers, a titanium exhaust system and an all-new carbon fibre floor. It’s also the world’s first production car to use graphene-enhanced carbon fibre in every body panel, while new carbon ceramic brakes shave 2.55kg of unsprung mass from each corner.

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The Mono R is powered by a reworked version of the standard car’s naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder Ford engine. Developed in conjunction with Mountune, the engine upgrades include a freer-flowing cylinder head, a new throttle body and a billet crankshaft, providing a maximum power output of 340bhp – 35bhp more than the standard Mono.

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Performance is fed to the rear wheels via a sequential transmission. Naturally, the Mono R offers faster acceleration than the standard Mono; 0–60mph arrives 0.3 seconds quicker, with a claimed time of 2.5 seconds. However, top speed remains the same at 170mph.

Thanks to BAC’s upgrades, the Mono R’s engine has the highest specific output of any naturally-aspirated unit currently sold today, offering 136bhp per litre. The Mono R’s 555kg kerb weight means it also has a better power-to-weight ratio than a Pagani Huayra, with a figure of 612bhp per tonne (compared to the Huayra’s 533bhp per tonne).

BAC has also subjected the Mono to a minor cosmetic overhaul, fitting more aerodynamically efficient wheel arches, wider sidepods, a more slender upper body and a larger rear spoiler. New LED headlights and fresh wing mirrors also feature, along with a Formula One inspired ram-air intake, mounted on the R’s rear fairing.

Now read our classic 2012 twin test of the standard BAC Mono and the Radical SR3 SL...