Vühl 05 Mexican sportscar to debut at Goodwood

UK publication Autocar has this week published the first images of a new Mexican sportscar ahead of its public unveiling at next weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Dubbed Vühl 05, the model is powered by a 2.0-litre Ford EcoBoost engine (the same found powering the Falcon EcoBoost, Mondeo EcoBoost and Jaguar XF 2.0) and is married to a six-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels.

The transverse-mounted engine sits amidships and develops 212kW and 420Nm. Its manufacturer says the car is capable of hitting 100km/h in 3.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 244km/h. The lightweight Vühl 05 is constructed of a bonded aluminium monocoque with aluminium extrusions on which are suspended honeycombe (composite) and reinforced plastic panels. All are designed to be removed quickly in case of damage.

The 05 is said to offer three times the torsional rigidity of a Lotus Elise meaning Vühl has been able to give the car’s suspension more compliance. It is hoped this increase in comfort will see the 05 appeal more strongly to those seeking to use the car away from the track... even if it 05 has no doors.

Vühl told Autocar that the 05 will be positioned between the Ariel Atom and Lotus Elise, though is also likely to attract attention from those shopping the Lotus Exige S, Radical SR3 and Porsche Boxster S. In the UK, the base model will retail from £59,900 (AUD $98,772) with a special launch version, dubbed ‘Edition One’ selling for £69,900 (AUD $115,261).

The manufacturer has the capacity to build 50 units annually from its factory in Mexico City, though says its main focus will be the UK market due to its love of track-focussed sportscars.

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