Caparo reveals new T1 Race Extreme

It's been just under three years since we first brought you news on the madcap Caparo T1 (more here), and the purveyor of the Brit supercar has now conceived an even more extreme version -- and, fittingly, it's called the Caparo T1 Race Extreme.

In the words of the manufacturer, the Race Extreme is "aimed specifically at the high end of the track day market, boasts the car's utmost race specification and is set to deliver the ultimate driving experience."

It's a pretty tall claim, given that the 'garden-variety' T1 is hardly a slug in the first place.

Although the Carsales network hasn't yet been offered the opportunity to drive it (let's face it, very few motoring hacks have), the raw stats/ingredients of the donor T1 read as follows: 3.5-litre V8 engine; 425kW at 10,000rpm, carbon-aluminium honeycomb monocoque chassis and carbonfibre-rich suspension.

Pretty impressive stuff, but high-end Race Extreme version ups the ante via an "evolved" V8 engine that ekes out a massive 463kW at 10,500 rpm.

The specification also includes fully adjustable suspension and aerodynamic packs, ultra light six-pot front and four-pot rear monoblock billet machined aluminium calipers with titanium pistons, and 355x35mm ceramic discs and pads.

In addition, the car's upgraded electronic package includes a fully tuneable ECU that supposedly enables the maximum performance to be wrung from the engine and the six speed sequential gear box. 

The above features are claimed to combine with the fully adjustable traction control of the Caparo T1 Race Extreme to "provide the absolute track experience".

The outlandish looking T1 was conceived by a pair of engineers (Graham Halstead and Ben Scott-Geddes) responsible for much of the engineering of the hallowed McLaren F1, and their ambition was to create a road-legal sportster capable of delivering Formula One-like performance.

Word from those who have driven/ridden in it suggest the Caparo isn't quite F1-quick, and even the Bugatti Veyron is reportedly faster in a straight line, but it's still said to be capable of seeing off any other road-legal car on a racetrack.

The Race Extreme should, theoretically, build on this capability...

Caparo T1 Race Extreme
Fast Facts (manufacturer's claims)
0-100km/h 2.8sec
0-160km/h   5.8sec
Top speed   335km/h
G loads braking > 4g
G loads cornering  > 3.5g
Dry weight   550kg