When many people hear "an all-new Magnum," they think of a new and mighty delicious ice cream bar, but this certain isn't an ice cream bar. The new Magnum MK5 is likely the hottest thing to come from Canada since Laura Vandervoort -- it's sleek, sexy and really, really fast.
After teasing it a few times, Canadian firm, Magnum Cars, decided to reveal the full details on the new MK5 track toy.
This racer clearly has its sites set on the BAC Mono, KTM X-Bow->ke2333, Ariel Atom->ke564 and the VUHL 05->ke4634, and it features elements inspired by the Formula 1 and Le Mans prototypes.
Like its aforementioned competitors, the MK5 is a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive, two-seat racer built on the company’s passion for motorsport. It is the brainchild Bruno St-Jacques -- the son of Jean-Pierre St-Jacques who founded of the Magnum cars company back in the 1960s. The MK5 was built from passion to racing because Bruno is a well-rounded and successful racecar driver, and the MK5 was built as his dream machine.
The MK5 will be limited to only 20 units per year and is priced from $139,000. Customers interested can place their orders now, but the first deliveries will not be made until late 2014.
Click past the jump to read more about the Magnum MK5.
2014 Magnum MK5
- Make: Array
- Model: 2014 Magnum MK5
- Engine/Motor: inline-4
- Horsepower: 250
- [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Exterior
The first Canadian track car features a bold and innovative exterior look, but it is also aggressive and sporty enough to give you whiplash as you try to spin your head fast enough to see it zip by. It features functional aerodynamics inspired by the Formula 1 cars and LeMans Prototypes, it is made from light and strong carbon-fiber composite bodywork.
Magnum designed the MK5 with modularity in mind, so the repair costs are reduced because you can easily remove each part for repair or replacement.
Exterior Specifications
Bodywork |
Carbon-fiber composite. Easily removable front and rear sections |
Functional aerodynamics |
Internal front wing, front splitter, flat underbody, rear diffuser |
Cargo area |
Fits two helmets and a briefcase |
Fuel tank capacity |
35 liters (9.25 gallons) |
Length |
3,914 mm (154.1 in) |
Width |
1,884 mm (74.2 in) |
Height |
1,069 mm (42.1 in) |
Dry Weight |
1,200 lbs (545 kg) |
Interior
Magnum built the MK5 with an open cockpit "speedster" style, and made the cargo compartment big enough to accommodate two race helmets and a briefcase.
Gripping you with a strong embrace are race-inspired, carbon-fiber seats with six-point racing harnesses.
The various levers in the cabin are made from aluminum; the digital gauges are easy to read and backlit, and a removable suede-wrapped steering wheel gives you a comfortable grip while you toss the MK5 through the twist
Interior Specifications
Gauges |
Steering wheel-mounted, backlit digital dash-display with integrated lap timer and data acquisition system |
Steering wheel |
310 mm (12.2-inch), weather-resistant suede with quick release |
Seats |
Carbon-fiber composites |
Harness |
Six-point, racing-type |
Accessories |
Rear-view monitor and camera |
Drivetrain
Powering the new Mk5 is a mid-mounted, four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 250 horsepower at 11,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed, sequential gearbox that allows for lightning-fast shifts, up and down.
This efficient drivetrain allows the MK5 to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.2 seconds and up to a top speed of 149 mph.
You may be scratching your head trying to figure out how a 250-horsepower car can hit 62 mph in just 3.2 seconds. Well, you have to consider that with the MK5's 545 kg (1,200-pound) curb weight, its power-to-weight ratio is a phenomenal 460 horsepower per tonne (417 horsepower per ton).
Drivetrain Specifications
Type |
Four-Cylinder |
Power |
250 Horsepower |
Redline |
11,000 RPM |
Configuration |
Rear mid-mounted, rear wheel drive |
Transmission |
Six-speed sequential gearbox, with reverse |
Differential |
Limited-slip |
Power-to-weight |
460 horsepower per tonne (417 horsepower per ton) |
Acceleration (0-100 KM/H) (0-60 MPH) |
3.2 Sec |
Maximum speed |
240 KM/H (149 MPH) |
Skid Pad |
> 2 G |
Suspension and Brakes
The Mk5 comes equipped with a racecar-type pushrod suspension setup that features inboard, two-way adjustable dampers on the front and rear.
Working with these advanced suspension system, are 18-inch, ultra-lightweight alloy wheels with ultra-high performance, street-legal tires sized 225/40R18 front and 265/35R18 on the rear.
The MK5 comes to a halt by way of a high-performance braking system that includes four-piston calipers and vented rotors on all four wheels
Suspension Specifications.
Suspension Type |
Adjustable, pushrod-activated, double unequal-length a-arms |
Dampers |
Inboard, two-way adjustable |
Tires |
Extreme performance, road-legal competition tires, 225/40R18 front & 265/35R18 rear |
Wheels |
18-Inch, ultra-light alloys |
Brake calipers |
Four-piston calipers, radial mount |
Brake discs |
Ventilated discs, with CNC-machined aluminum hubs |
Brake bias |
Cockpit adjustable |
Pedal box |
Custom, CNC-machined, hand-operated sliding adjustable |
Prices
The new Magnum MK5 is priced at $139,000. Only 20 units will be built annually and customers can place their orders now.
MAgnum will start delivering the MK5 in late 2014.
Competition
The VUHL 05 is the brainchild of brothers Iker and Guillermo Echeverria, and made its world debut at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed. It is powered by a Ford-sourced, 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine that delivers a total of 285 horsepower and 309 pound-feet of torque.
The VUHL 05 delivers a power-to-weight ratio of 400 horsepower per tonne and sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. It can hit a top speed of 152 mph.
Unlike the MK5, the BAC Mono is a one-seat track car that isn’t remotely tuned for street use. It is powered by a 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 280 horsepower.
The Mono sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and up to an impressive top speed of 170 mph.
Conclusion
Magnum's MK5 is surely not the only track-car available out there, but it promises to offer an incredible driving experience. We truly are interested in seeing just how well the MK5 does against the likes of the BAC Mono. To make things even better, the MK5 is super sexy.
The only bad thing we can pick out is the fact that it is very (very) expensive.