Skip advert
Advertisement

Elemental RP1: new British sports car revealed

Surrey-based start-up Elemental reveals new road-legal track-focused RP1 ahead of Goodwood debut

Elemental has revealed its new RP-1 road-legal track car ahead of a public debut at this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.According to the Surrey-based start-up, this open top, mid-engined two-seater will arrive early next summer and previews a “new generation of world class British sports cars”. 

The design centres on an exposed lightweight carbon-composite and aluminium tub, surrounded by front and rear body panels “shrink-wrapped” to cover the wheels and mechanical underpinnings.

Advertisement - Article continues below

As we reported earlier this month, the tub features a moulded racing seat that’s tilted for a race-inspired, feet-up position and is intended to keep the centre of gravity as low as possible. On top of improved underfloor downforce, Elemental believes this makes it easier to adjust the dynamics set-up, enabling one person – armed with spanners an Allen key – to tune the RP1 for track and road use. 

Power comes from a Ford-sourced 2.0-litre Ecoboost engine, tuned to 280bhp and paired to a six-speed sequential paddle shift gearbox. Customers with racing in mind can opt for a limited slip diff and alternative gear sets, although a reduced-weight track-focused model, featuring 999cc Honda Fireblade unit, is also available.

That’s because the rear subframe features a cassette-style engine mounting system, allowing for various different powertrain options. The third engine option on sale at launch will be another tune Ford unit, the three-cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost, which Elemental expect to balance performance with efficiency.

Inside the open air cabin there’s a wraparound dash, incorporating a central engine start button and multifunction display. This screen can be used to display data from the GPS system, G-load sensors, data logging, and a CAN data signal feed from the ECU for powertrain monitoring.

Adjustable pedals and carbon fibre race seats will accommodate drivers taller than five foot and shorter than 6’6”, and there’s a multifunction steering wheel including backlit buttons for the indicators, main beam and horn.

Practicality for the Ariel Atom 3.5R rival comes in the form of two luggage pods located either side of the engine bay, and there’s LED enhancing for the indicators, plus the brake, rear and daytime running lights.  

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024: new cars and highlights
Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024 - MG sculpture

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024: new cars and highlights

2024’s Goodwood Festival of Speed was a celebration of over 130 years of engine tech, but it also looked well into the future
News
17 Jul 2024
Land Rover Defender Octa ride review: up the hill in a ferocious new flagship
Land Rover Defender OCTA - front action

Land Rover Defender Octa ride review: up the hill in a ferocious new flagship

The 626bhp Octa sets a mind-boggling performance benchmark for the Defender
Road tests
15 Jul 2024
New Red Bull RB17 hypercar revealed with a 15,000rpm V10 engine
Red Bull RB17 Goodwood - front

New Red Bull RB17 hypercar revealed with a 15,000rpm V10 engine

The RB17 promises F1 levels of performance, while its naturally aspirated V10 revs to an staggering 15,000rpm
News
12 Jul 2024
New MG Cyber GTS Concept revealed at Goodwood with big hints of 2025 Cyberster coupe
MG Cyber GT Concept on display at 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed - front static

New MG Cyber GTS Concept revealed at Goodwood with big hints of 2025 Cyberster coupe

MG has strongly suggested the hardtop version of the Cyberster could arrive on sale next year
News
12 Jul 2024

Most Popular

It’s not just electric cars that are overpriced
Opinion - expensive cars

It’s not just electric cars that are overpriced

Not matter how good a new car might be, Mike Rutherford thinks it will ultimately fail if it's overpriced
Opinion
16 Feb 2025
New Kia EV4 revealed at last! Volkswagen ID.3 rival incoming
Kia EV4 saloon - front

New Kia EV4 revealed at last! Volkswagen ID.3 rival incoming

First official images of Kia’s electric family car have surfaced, and it looks all but identical to the concept
News
16 Feb 2025
New Nissan Leaf and Micra confirmed for 2025, plus next-generation hybrid tech for Qashqai
New Nissan Leaf - front 3/4

New Nissan Leaf and Micra confirmed for 2025, plus next-generation hybrid tech for Qashqai

Nissan’s big plans for 2025 may also include a new plug-in hybrid system for the X-Trail
News
17 Feb 2025