Ultima Evolution unveiled

The UK is famous for offering low-volume, high-performance sports cars – think Caterham, Lotus, TVR, Ascari, Noble and let's not forget Ultima Sports which has just launched its new Evolution models.

The Ultima Evolution Coupe and Convertible models are the latest weapons from the Leicestershire outfit, propelled by a mid-mounted supercharged 6.8-litre Chevrolet LS V8 pumping an astonishing 760kW or 1020hp through a Porsche six-speed manual transaxle.

But if a thousand horsepower is a little too extreme, Ultima does offer more than a dozen different engine tunes, starting at around 260kW or 350hp.
Performance specifications for the full-biscuit 760kW version are flabbergasting.

It destroys the 0-100km/h dash in just 2.4 seconds, slams the 0-160km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds and  hits 240km/h from standstill in just 8.9 seconds. In other words, blink and you'll miss it.

Top speed? A cool 386km/h, or 240mph to use the imperial measure.

Quarter mile? It takes just 9.2 seconds says Ultima.

The ludicrous velocity is thanks to a combination of high torque output, a total of close to 1250Nm, and light weight. The coupe version weighs just 950kg, less than a Toyota 86.

Measuring just 4.0 metres in length the Ultima Evolution is only slightly longer than a Toyota Yaris, and about 50 per cent lower at just 1070mm. It has a wheelbase of 2560mm and ground clearance of 120mm, though the latter is adjustable.

AP Racing brakes are also fitted.

Other performance features include 18-inch alloy wheels shod with 245/35 and 335/30 tyres at the front and rear respectively. Fully adjustable suspension and brake bias will help owners refine that elusive Nurburgring lap time while the liberal application of carbon-fibre parts ensures the car looks stunning (and that repair costs are nightmarish).

The Ultima Evolution models promise to deliver improvements in both quality and performance too – although the lack of the former was often what made these vehicles so endearing – with upgrades to almost every aspect of the vehicle. It gets satellite navigation, Bluetooth audio streaming, leather and alcantara upholstery, rear parking camera and sensors and even air-conditioning.