VUHL 05 – 285 hp, 420 Nm lightweight 2-seater debuts

vuhl 05 02

Developed by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts – that’s the tagline for the VUHL 05, a mid-engined two-seater from Mexican company VUHL Automotive.

The brainchild of brothers Guillermo and Iker Echeverria, the 05 arrives looking to offer an alternative to the likes of the BAC Mono and Ariel Atom. It’s powered by a 2.0 litre Ford EcoBoost engine, here offering 285 hp and 420 Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

With just 725 kg (695 kg, dry) to push around, it’s good enough to offer the 3.71 metre-long vehicle a 0-100 km/h time of 3.7 seconds and a 245 km/h top speed. Other figures include a 37/63 percent front/rear weight distribution.

The body is made from RTM reinforced plastic, with carbon fibre being optional material. Aerodynamic kit consists of front and lateral splitters, rear diffuser, rear spoiler and a flat underbody.

vuhl 05 09

The chassis, meanwhile, comprises a three-section bonded tub constructed from aluminium extrusions and aluminium honeycomb, and bolted directly to the passenger cell is a chrome-moly steel subframe housing the engine and rear suspension. A three-stage forward crash structure and double layer sidewalls protects the occupants.

The suspension consists of unequal length double wishbones for both the front and rear, while the brake system is made up of four-pot alloy callipers all-round, with 310 mm ventilated and cross-drilled front and 280 mm rear discs. As for wheels, the 05 rides on 17-inch OZs (and 205/45 tyres) in front and 18-inch (and 235/45 rubbers) at the rear.

Kit in the open cabin can be specified, and these include carbon bucket seats, an integral HD camera, an electronic data acquisition dash, a 330 mm quick release suede-covered steering wheel and Dinamica suede trim, the last two being water-resistant.

First deliveries of the VUHL 05 begin in spring next year, with initial sales to be confined to the US and UK, though the car is eventually set to be sold in Europe, China and the Middle East.

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • armandd on Jul 04, 2013 at 2:15 pm

    Hey, it’s a 2-seater BAC Mono!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • bvc100 on Jul 05, 2013 at 3:05 pm

      If it was made by the BAC people, then they’d name it BAC Duo.
      Nice looks by the way this car…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Kereta Mayat on Jul 04, 2013 at 2:38 pm

    If I need to wear a helmet, I rather ride a bike.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Joe Radzif on Jul 04, 2013 at 2:43 pm

    Wishing Proton can produce something like this and sell cheap to Rakyats…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 3
  • Albert on Jul 04, 2013 at 3:52 pm

    i really like this ! BUT im not interested to drive this in Malaysia

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
    • Dru-Zod on Jul 04, 2013 at 9:56 pm

      This is called a track day car which is quite popular in Europe. The Europeans would not drive these cars on normal roads and I don’t think these cars are certified to be driven on normal roads anyway unless with exceptional circumstances (pls do correct me if I am wrong). Its meant to be trashed around the track.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Dru-Zod on Jul 04, 2013 at 9:49 pm

    “The chassis, meanwhile, comprises a three-section bonded tub constructed from aluminium extrusions and aluminium honeycomb”

    Looks like a Lotus Chassis.

    In fact the car itself looks a lot like the Lotus 2-Eleven.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Farhat on Jul 05, 2013 at 11:11 am

    Dont you guys think it resembles the VW Roadster? Or atleast a Scirocco front? Very Volkswagen/Audi looking, but at the same time, it would go well next to the Honda Beat (esp the front light from the sides)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Hairee on Jul 06, 2013 at 12:31 pm

    Toyota and Honda is better than these Mexican crap. Japan is the new almigty West and Mexico is the new inferior copycat far east.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
 

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