The 2016 BAC Mono receives a new engine and more power as part of its latest upgrade.
Revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last month, the car is now powered by a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine developed by Mountune - which is now BAC’s official technical partner.
The new engine - derived from Ford’s Duratec unit - produces 305bhp and 227lb ft of torque, which BAC says is enough to get the Mono to 60mph in just 2.8 seconds. The car has a top speed of 170mph. The Mono’s old 2.3-litre four-cylinder Cosworth engine produced 280bhp and 206lb ft.
The new powerplant has contributed to an increase in the car’s kerb weight, which rises to 580kg compared to the 540kg of the previous Mono.
Other upgrades for the 2016 model year include a new drive-by-wire throttle system, and new fitment options for drivers, which BAC says results in a steering wheel and seat custom-made for each Mono owner.
BAC reports that during its unofficial timed runs at the Festival of Speed, the Mono recorded a fastest time of 47.9 seconds up the 1.16-mile hillclimb route. That’s significantly faster than the quickest official time for road cars during the weekend, which was recorded at 51.33 seconds and set by Anthony Reid in a Noble M600.
Speaking to Autocar, BAC product development director Neil Briggs said the car’s Goodwood outing “reinforces the fact that the car works fantastically well on the road and on the track. For us, it was a great opportunity to highlight the new model.”
Briggs also hinted that BAC would return to Goodwood in 2016 with the aim of setting an official time, and even attempting to beat the track’s record for road cars: “With the car tuned for the [Goodwood] Hill, and with slick tyres, I don’t think we’d be far off [the road car record].”
Key rivals for the Mono include the Elemental RP1, which costs £75,750 and is powered by a 320bhp 2.0-litre Ford EcoBoost engine, and the 296bhp KTM X Bow.
Its upgrades also mean the BAC Mono’s price has increased by £15,000, meaning the vehicle now retails at £125,000. The company says that three-quarters of 2016’s planned run of 50 cars has already been sold.
BAC opened a new factory in Liverpool in 2013 to cope with increased demand and to help it export to the US, South America, Japan and Asia.
See the 2016 BAC Mono in action at Goodwood in the video below.
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BAC Mono
I admire what they have achieved.
But for me, being a bent eight fan, an Ultima would be my indulgence at this money. Brute hammer rather than technically efficient does it for me every time.
By the way, WHEN IS Autocar going to test the Ultima...logical next vehicle after your Kit Car series of tests?