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NEWS
World's fastest diesel sports car
British low-volume car-maker launches what it claims is the world's fastest and most efficient diesel sports carUK's Trident has unveiled its retro-styled Iceni sports car, which is claimed to be capable of topping 300km/h and covering 3200km on a single tank of mineral or bio-diesel.
The secret to these barely plausible figures, according to the manufacturer, is torque multiplication technology.
The Iceni was unveiled alongside two other new Trident models, the Magna fastback and the Venturer estate, and is now on sale in the UK at a price of £96,000 ($175k in our money).
Propulsion for the car is delivered by a 6.6-litre V8 turbo-diesel engine that pumps out 316kW and a mind-boggling 1287Nm. However, it doesn't end there, as there's also a high-output version with 486kW and 1432Nm.
Drive is relayed to the rear wheels by a six-speed auto, and the brakes and chassis are said to be up to the task of handling the Iceni's monumental grunt.
Trident boss Phil Bevan has been quoted as saying the combination of massive torque and low revs enables the Iceni to return the figures claimed of it.
"These high-revving cars have become trendy but we all know that horsepower takes over from torque as it's a crankshaft speed-related formula, and ours is based all on torque," he was quoted as saying by Autocar magazine.
"We change gear at 3000rpm, so we have masses and masses of torque. Our standard car has 1287Nm at 3000rpm along with 316kW. The most interesting thing is at 70mph (112km/h) we're doing just 980rpm."
"It's perfecting our innovation of torque multiplication. And it's been a tortuous route having to make our own gearbox and differential and make our own engine ECU to capitalise on the torque we are producing."
The Iceni has long-snouted proportions that seem to draw from the Mercedes SLS AMG and Jaguar E-Type, while the rounded rump is similar to the British-built Marcos sports cars.
Trident claims the car can store a minimum of two suitcases, as well as two holdalls, "making a 3200km road trip a reality".
The Iceni's cabin features leather trim, sports seats and an integrated touchscreen with satellite navigation and a DAB radio, alongside numerous options available as part of four upgrade packs.
Bevan claims the company already has a waiting list for the car, which is being pitched at buyers who might otherwise have opted for a Jaguar XK or Aston Martin DB9.
Although hardly a mainstream brand, the Trident name has been around since 1966, and was bought by Bevan and his business partner in 2005.
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Written byGautam Sharma
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