BAC has used the Goodwood Festival of Speed to unveil its first new model since 2011: the new Mono R.
Described as “The new reference - the very pinnacle of design, innovation and engineering”, the new generation of the British maker’s road-legal single-seater is more powerful, lighter and features innovative material use.
While the car’s exterior shape is familiar, BAC claims all surfaces, including 44 bespoke carbonfibre parts, have been designed from scratch. The dimensions are slightly altered, with 25mm added to the length and a 20mm height reduction. The most distinctive addition is a race-inspired ram-air intake, while numerous detail changes improve aerodynamic efficiency.
The Mono R is again powered by the Mountune-sourced 2.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine, but power is upped by 35bhp to 340bhp. A new cylinder bore size allows for power gains, while a new billet crankshaft stroke allows the rev limit to be raised another 1000rpm to 8000rpm.
Combined with the high-pressure cold air from the ram intake system, and a new throttle body and cylinder head, the new unit now makes 136bhp per litre. BAC claims this is a “global record” for a road-legal naturally aspirated engine. That stats that result are a 0-62mph time of a scant 2.5sec and a top speed of 170mph.
BAC also states the Mono R is the first production car to use graphene-enhanced carbonfibre in each body panel. The development, part of a project funded by the UK’s Advanced Propulsion Centre, makes the carbonfibre structurally stronger yet lighter, with improved mechanical and thermal performance.
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2.5 litres. 254 kW.
Puts the T50's staggering weight in to perspective
When you consider what the Mono R has, or hasn't for that matter, for it to weigh only 555kg, it's all the more remarkable how little Gordon Murray's T50 hypercar will weigh (less than a ton) when it'll have 3 seats, more equipment, a roof, will be a bigger car and have a heavier (V12) engine than the Mono R. Sure, they're far from being competitors but it just shows how staggering the T50 will be. But then it should when it'll cost over £2.0m I suppose.
Agree. I've been struggling
Agree. I've been struggling to believe the idea that the T50, and especially the Valkyrie, will weigh anything like what they're claiming when they go onto the scales. How can Aston fit a huge V12, electric motors and all the associated gubbins, doors and a roof, full bodywork in a much bigger vehicle and only double the weight of this tiny little machine?
I reckon the Aston will come in at 1300kg with fluids and T50 at over 1100kg. But then I haven't designed multiple WC winning F1 cars...
For the Mono, I think it's almost completely perfect. I would absolutely LOVE to be able to afford one. The only change I would make would be an air scoop on both sides as it looks a bit unbalanced. An incredible machine.
And there you have it.
Faster but dearer, it’s a Track Toy, only seats one, you might use it occasionally for a short trip somewhere, but really, £190K+?, come on, unless your well minted it’s too expensive.