Elemental Motors Previews the RP-1

British start-up Elemental Cars previewed a new high-performance street-legal track car which has set its aim to take on the Ariel Atom and KTM X-Bow. Christened the RP-1, the brief from the company was to build a light-weight two-seater track car with exceptional performance and easily adjustable dynamics.

That is exactly what the RP-1 is all about. It is an open-top two-seater which is built upon a carbon-fibre structural tub. The composite construction is maintained throughout the GT-inspired body and interior components and the overall weight of the car is estimated at around 450 kg.

Power comes via a mid-mounted 2.0-litre Ford EcoBoost engine, tuned to produce 280 horsepower. The figures result in an impressive 500bhp/ton power-to-weight ratio. The car is scheduled to be formally revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed later this month, with production kicking off in the UK as early as next year.