For anyone in the market for a lightweight special, but not tempted by any of the usual suspects, there is now the alternative choice of the Toniq CB.
Cornish-based Toniq is not entirely new, though, having previously launched the Toniq-R in 2003. Although there is a certain styling similarity between the R and this latest model, the difference is that while the R was based around a Caterham Seven chassis, the CB range uses a proprietary tubular design.
The engine is a 2.0-litre Ford Duratec, available in a range of power outputs from 180bhp to 250bhp. Caterham uses the same powerplant in its mid-range Sevens, making the CB200 tested here the equivalent of an R400. Meaning no shortage of performance; Toniq claims 0-60mph in 4.0sec.
That claim is believable, given the Toniq’s featherweight approach – there aren’t any doors – plus decent traction. A limited-slip differential is standard, although the sticky Yokohama A048 tyres fitted to our test car are optional.
From experience of other applications of the Duratec engine, 200bhp is also a good compromise between top-end power and mid-range flexibility; the CB200 is able to pull cleanly from low revs with little fuss while emitting a pleasantly old-school gurgle.
Not that changing gear is something to be avoided; the Mazda-sourced six-speed transmission is both light to use and satisfyingly precise. The clutch take-up on this particular example could be smoother, though, especially in first gear.
There is also room for improvement in terms of ride and handling – the set-up of this test car had too much understeer for track use and suffered from bump steer on a particularly choppy B-road – but Toniq has clearly developed a sound basis from which to start.
