Zenos E10 R gets 350bhp Ford Focus RS engine
Fastest Zenos E10 yet uses the engine from the upcoming Ford Focus RS, promises over 500bhp per tonne
We drove Zenos' first offering, the E10, back in March, finding it a genuine alternative to a Lotus or Caterham. It certainly wasn't lacking performance, with a 250bhp 2.0-litre engine providing more than enough shunt for the 725kg body. But Zenos have seen fit to increase this by 40% with the introduction of the E10 R, which utilises the 2.3-litre engine from the upcoming Ford Focus RS to provide 350bhp.
This power grants the E10 R over 500bhp per tonne, putting it in the same club as the Caterham 7 Superlight, Ariel Atom 300 and even the Bugatti Veyron. This endows it with plenty of performance, and Zenos say 0-62 should be dispatched in 3.0 seconds - and it soldiers on to a top speed of 155mph. However with a windscreen resigned to the optional extras list, drivers may not want to approach that too often...
The E10 R is unashamedly a track-focused car, with adjustable suspension, race harnesses and uprated brakes. The six-speed transmission has had the gear level shortened for rapid gear changes, and it all rests upon a chassis bristling with lightweight carbon fibre. This helps to keep the car just as light as its predecessor.
The Zenos E10 R is undeniably a toy, but it's not a particularly expensive one whe you put it against the likes of the £80,000 BAC Mono. The Zenos comes in at just under £40,000 on the road, comparing favourably with its Caterham rivals.
Do you think the Zenos is a worthy competitor to the likes of the legendary Caterham? Let us know in the comments...
