Finely balanced GTM Libra here now

In the same style as Lotus and Marcos sports cars, the GTM Libra and its convertible offshoot, the Spyder, offer accomplished driving dynamics and everyday useability.

The British sports cars, which are specifically designed for 'track work' but are practical enough to perform in the 'daily driver' role, are distributed in Australia and New Zealand by local business, Meridian Motorsport.

GTM, unknown in Australia, has been operating continuously in Britain since 1979 and its parent company is a Tier One supplier to the industry.

The Libra and the Spyder are offered here in kit form (CKD for 200 hours of assembly) or CBU. In CBU form, it is imported under the low volume compliance scheme.

Weighing just 98kg, the body is a monocoque formed from composite material and integrating a GRP roll cage. The all-up weight of the Libra is 830kg -- about 100kg less than an Exige.

With such a low kerb weight, the Libra fitted with a 2.5-litre Rover KV6 engine will reach 100km/h from standstill in 4.9 seconds -- V8 levels of performance from a small V6. The engine is mounted transversely behind the cabin, driving the rear wheels.

Suspension comprises a double-wishbone front end and trailing arms at the rear. Brakes are sourced from the MG ZT and comprise 305mm diameter ventilated rotors with AP four-piston calipers.

According to Meridian Motorsport spokesman Brenton Alcorn, the task of bringing GTM models to Australia has been interesting. For the Libra and Spyder to comply with Australian Design Rules, Meridian had to drop the 1.8-litre K Series Rover engine that it planned to offer, since that powerplant didn't comply with current Australian emissions benchmarks.

The 2.5-litre V6 and all the MG Rover componentry were jeopardised by the buy-out of the British group by the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation. Sourced from Britain, the drivetrain for the Libra and Spyder would have cost around $15,000, but Meridian is in talks with the Chinese company currently and expects to source the engines from Shanghai.

Currently, you can buy a GTM Libra from Meridian (they have one registered) for up to $75,000. The company is hoping to reduce the price if the currency exchange rates go the right way, but the certification is based on the British V6. Even so, there's wriggle room available with some components if the company can "maximise local content (and) minimise imported content", in the words of Alcorn.

Meridian is still fine-tuning the package and has had the Libra tested in Monash University's wind tunnel (pictured). The car was guilty of some turbulence just behind the front wheel arches, but still returned a drag coefficient figure of 0.30Cd, making it fairly slippery for such a short car.

Kits without the engine and transmission can be purchased for $45,000 approximately and the company will offer customers assistance in fitting their own engine and transmission combination.

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