A refreshed VUHL 05 is now available for global trackday aces with pricing from around $100k for this cross between a Lotus and Radical.
The UK sportscar industry is not only an inspiration for this trackday special, but also a target for its dual-use configuration. VUHL hopes to have certification for English roads in the near future. But even though road and track are both viable in a VUHL… one is far more heavily emphasized.
A completely smooth underbody is race-ready, as is the doorless racing frame below the skin.
You can guess how fast the 3.7-second VUHL is on a racetrack thanks to its Michelin slicks and snorting turbocharged engine. The mid-engine layout delivers 285HP and 310 pound-feet of torque, which runs through six-speed manual to the back wheels. Top speed is quoted at 152-mph, largely due to gearing and the lack of a full windshield.
The latest updates to the VUHL help make it feel as special outside as a McLaren — with an 11-piece carbon fiber body upgrade a $10k option. The full suite of track-day kit is available from VUHL — right down to a branded helmet. The cabin has a nicely industrial feel — with a mix of simple aerospace toggle switches and bespoke milled-alloy details like the ignition key.
The configurator is live over at VUHL’s website, showing three slinky colors of white, matte silver or jet black.
2015 VUHL 05
TECH SPECS
PERFORMANCE
Maximum Speed: 245 km/h
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 3.7 s
Deceleration 100-0 km/h: 31.6 m
ENGINE
Type: Turbo, 4 cylinder, DOHC (Twin Variable Camshaft Timing)
Displacement: 2,000 cc
Configuration: Transverse
Number of Valves: 16
Block: Aluminium
Head: Aluminium
Bore x Stroke: 87.5 mm x 83.1 mm
Maximum Power: 285 bhp
Maximum Torque: 420 Nm
Fuel Tank Capacity: 40 litres
SUSPENSION
Front: Unequal length double wishbone + coilover dampers
Rear: Unequal length double wishbone + coilover dampers
WHEELS AND TYRES
Front: 205 / 45 / 17
Rear: 235 / 40 / 18
AERODYNAMICS
Aero Features: Flat underbody / front and lateral splitters / rear diffuser / rear spoiler
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT: 3,718 x 1,876 x 1,120 mm
WHEELBASE: 2,300 mm
Ground Clearance: 110 mm
Dry Weight: 695 kg
Kerb Weight: 725 kg
Power to Weight: 400 bhp per tonne
Static Weight Distribution: Front 37% Rear 63%
VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION
Chassis: Bonded aluminium monocoque (6061-T6 aluminium extrusions + aluminium honeycomb)
BODY: RTM reinforced plastic (*Carbon fibre is optional)
SAFETY
Front: Aluminium 3 stage programmed energy absorption crash-box
Side: Aluminium double layer high walls
Seat Belts: 4 point harness
BRAKES
Calipers: 4 piston / aluminium construction
Discs: Front: 310 mm ventilated discs, cross drilled, billet machined mounting bells.
Rear: 280 mm ventilated discs, billet machined mounting bells
INTERIOR
Seat: Carbon bucket
Trim: Water resistant Dinamica suede
Steering Wheel: 330 mm / quick release / water resistant suede
Dash: Electronic dash with data acquisition
HIGHLY-ACCLAIMED VŪHL 05 NOW SELLING IN MEXICO, THE MIDDLE-EAST, AND AVAILABLE IN THE UK VERY SOON
The first production example of the much-acclaimed VŪHL 05 lightweight supercar has been delivered to an arch Mexican enthusiast, who remarked at the recent VIP handover: “My supercar collection was simply not complete without an 05 – this car is serious fun and offers a uniquely raw driving experience!”
Resplendent in all-carbon bodywork, it is the first of several VŪHLs destined for the Mexican roads this year. The street legal road/track car will soon be seen in the Middle-East too, as the company’s newly-appointed dealer for that area has ordered a number of 05s for sale in Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar, which will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2015.
First UK sales imminent
The VŪHL 05 first hit the headlines at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it was campaigned in the annual hillclimb by Mexican-born F1 ace Esteban Gutiérrez. The considerable interest this created in the UK and mainland Europe is finally close to being satisfied, as the first righthand drive example has passed its IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) test with flying colours, and will very shortly be put through its paces by the key UK media. The appointment of the first British dealership will be the final step on the road to sales on these shores, an announcement about which is now imminent.
Said VŪHL Technical Director Iker Echeverria: “We are obviously extremely happy to have entered full-scale production with our 05 model, and experienced the delight of our first customer. 2014 was a consolidation year for us, during which we concentrated on appointing dealers, obtaining homologation in various countries and taking orders from around the world. We are now ready to sell the car in earnest.”
Special launch price
Said VŪHL Managing Director Guillermo Echeverria: “It is naturally very rewarding to have a bank of orders for Mexico and the Middle-East, but we fully recognise the importance of the UK market and have therefore worked especially hard to ready the car for sale in this territory. This has included creating a special all-inclusive launch price of £59,995.
40 percent of the 05’s components are sourced in the UK
Born of motorsport heritage and weighing in at just 695kg, the VŪHL is powered by a mid-mounted 285bhp version of Ford’s award-winning 2.0-litre, DOHC turbocharged EcoBoost engine, which endows it with a highly competitive power-to-weight ratio of 400bhp per ton – sufficient for a 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds and top speed of over 150mph. Designed and built in Mexico, the 05 nevertheless has a truly international specification and 40 percent of its components are sourced from the UK.
The high-tech chassis comprises a three-section bonded tub constructed from aluminium extrusions and aluminium honeycomb – aerospace technology that provides the 05 with a remarkably high level of torsional rigidity for optimum handling. Bolted direct to the passenger cell is a chrome-moly steel subframe housing the engine and rear suspension. A three-stage forward crash structure and double layer sidewalls provide a matchless level of protection for the occupants. The standard body is made from GRP, but carbonfibre is an attractive option – it saves over 30kg in weight and the exposed parts can be configured to taste. The sophisticated aero features include a flat underbody, front and lateral splitters, rear diffuser and rear spoiler.
The specification further includes:
- Six-speed manual Ford gearbox
- High-ratio rack and pinion steering
- Suspension by unequal length double wishbones front and rear
- Braking by four-pot alloy calipers all-round, operating on 310mm ventilated, cross-drilled discs at the front and 280mm ones at the rear
- Sparco alloy wheels shod with Michelin tyres – 205/45×17 (front); 245/40×18 (rear)
Other interesting features and upgrade options include: carbon bucket seats with water-resistant Dinamica suede trim; exposed carbon bodywork panels; 330mm quick-release suede-covered steering wheel; electronic data acquisition dash; built-in HD camera; wide range of colours in matt and gloss finish; titanium bolt pack.
For further details of the exciting VŪHL 05 see www.vuhlautomotive.com.
-Ends-
Press release issued on behalf of VŪHL Automotive by Gordon Bruce Associates Ltd. For further press information or hi res versions of the attached images contact Gordon via gordon.bruce@gordonbruce.com.
The stunning VŪHL 05 with all-carbon bodywork
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.