Elfin goes turnkey with T5

Elfin has taken the factory-built route with its latest, the Type 5 Clubman. Unveiled at October's Australian International Motor Show in Sydney as a 'component' (read: kit) car, the two-seat open sportscar will now be offered in a choice of fully road-registerable turnkey packages.

Elfin Sports Cars is owned by HSV's scion Tom Walkinshaw. The Braeside (Vic) company, that will continue to build the Holden V8-powered MS8 Clubman and Streamliner pocket supercars, operates alongside the Walkinshaw Performance 'skunk works' but boasts a 50 year heritage.

Founded by Garrie Cooper, Elfin claims to be the largest and longest running racing car manufacturer in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Type 5 Clubman (T5) is powered by a GM-sourced 194kW/351Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder and boasts 0-100km/h times of under 4sec. It will be offered in two versions starting at $64,950. An up-spec model will be marketed at $72,950. In addition a host of options will be offered including track packages for motorsport-oriented owners.

According to Elfin Sports Cars General Manager, John Clark the initial plan to offer the car for customer assembly went out the window not long after the car's unveiling at Sydney.

"We had initially planned to offer the T5 as a component car, but the overwhelming response was from customers who wanted a finished car," Clark told the Carsales Network.

"Everybody wants to build their own, and it's easy, but the reality is most of our prospective buyers are 'time poor' -- they want to be able to drive their T5 away."

According to Clark, the T5 has been complied for registration under the Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board's (AMVCB) Ultra Low Volume Compliance regulations. The regulations allow for up to 25 local registrations per annum (and 500 units worldwide).

The T5 is an all-new design rather than a modernised version of Elfin's classic Toyota-powered C3 Clubman. Designed in-house using modern finite element analysis, the chassis and suspension components are manufactured in TS22 structural steel cut using the latest laser cutting and welding techniques.

The vehicle uses all-new componentry, much of it (such as brakes, differentials, axles, steering rack and column, etc) sourced from Holden's VE program.

Its styling is the work of HSV's Julian Quincey (exterior) and Adam Dean Smith (interior-dash, etc).

Under Australian Design rules, the engine in the Clubman must comply with the usual Euro III (and soon Euro IV) emissions regs – hence the choice of the modern powerplant. The direct-injected and intercooled four is sourced from the US market Pontiac Solstice GXP.

With roots back to Saab's turbo fours, the engine has an 'unburstable' reputation. In the 780kg T5, matched to a relatively wide-ratio five-speed manual, it provides effortless performance.

As noted above, two turnkey versions of the T5 will be offered. The basic car features what Elfin terms a "race inspired instrument panel", untrimmed interior, 16-inch alloys, fabric covered sports seats, a painted rear 'boot' cover, conventional halogen headlights and single-colour paint job.

Ante up for the high-spec version (as pictured) and Elfin adds a trimmed interior and more conventional dash and even a centre console. The seats get leather, the wheels and tyres are upgraded to 17-inch (7-inch front, 8-inch rear), a taller-ratio (3.45:1) limited slip diff is fitted and projector headlights added. The paint job is sexed up with traditional black highlights added.

The 'kit' part of the story is retained in terms of the wide choice of options buyers can specify. The list is still being finalised (and priced) but currently includes canvas roof (inc full doors), fully-adjustable suspension, paint options, push button start and carbon-fibre wheel arches. For track use, buyers can also specify a full CAMS approved roll cage, in-cockpit adjustable brake bias and a low screen option.

According to Clark, the T5 is the product of 18 months development. The bill for the work tops $3m he says.

With around half a dozen T5s already on order, the sportscar maker is confident the car will win a strong following Down Under. That said Clark expects only 35 per cent of Elfin's T5 production to go to local owners. The lion's share of cars heading to the UK and other overseas markets.

A naturally-aspirated 2.4-litre version may be offered to deliver a cheaper turnkey option for markets like the UK, Clarke told the Carsales Network.

Look out for the Carsale Network's drive of the new Elfin T5 Clubman soon.

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