You might not be familiar with VUHL (Vehicles of Ultra- lightweight and High-performance), but in just a few days, at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed->ke3879, you're going to get acquainted with it real quickly.

The "highly specialist" automaker is the brainchild of brothers Iker and Guillermo Echeverria, whose Mexican/American design agency, Etxe, was responsible for designing the 05, a road-legal lightweight supercar that no one has ever seen, at least until now. The model was designed for the road and track, and comes as a response to cars like BAC Mono->ke3794, Ariel Atom->ke564 and KTM X-Bow->ke2333.

According to Iker, VUHL wanted to develop a "highly intuitive machine that was both stirringly fast and immense fun to drive – a car we ourselves would want to own." And the result is the new 05.

UPDATE 07/03/2013: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs.

Click past the jump to read more about the VUHL 05.

2014 VUHL 05

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 VUHL 05
  • Engine/Motor: EcoBoost
  • Horsepower: 285
  • Torque: 309
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The new 05 is built on a monocoque that weights just 171 pounds, which helps ensures a dry weight of just 1,532 pounds. VUHL built the chassis, using aerospace technology and used a three-section bonded tub constructed from aluminum extrusions and aluminum honeycomb for rigidity and low weight.

This structure, combined with a three-stage forward crash structure and double layer sidewalls, help provide a high level of protection.

VUHL made the 05's body from RTM reinforced plastic, but customers can also opt for a carbon-fiber body. There is also an aerodynamic package that includes a flat under-body, front and lateral splitters, rear diffuser and rear spoiler to help increase downforce and reduce drag.

Dimensions

Width

1,876 mm (73.85 inches)

Length

3,718 mm (146.37 inches)

Height

1,120 mm (44.09 inches)

Wheelbase

2,300 mm (90.55 inches)

Ground clearance

110 mm (4.33 inches)

Dry weight

695 kg (1,532 pounds)

Curb weight

725 kg (1,598 pounds)

Power-to-weight ratio

400 bhp/tonne

Weight distribution

37/63 (front/rear)


Interior

The interior offers lots of features seen in high-performance sports cars. These features include: carbon-fiber bucket seats; a 330 mm (12.99-inch) quick-release, water-resistant, suede-covered steering wheel; electronic data acquisition dash; integral HD camera; and water-resistant Dinamica suede trim.

Drivetrain

Under the hood, VUHL placed a Ford-sourced 2.0-liter DOHC turbocharged EcoBoost engine that delivers a total of 285 horsepower and 309 pound-feet of torque. Combine this output with the 1,532-pound dry weight and come to a power-to-weight ratio of 400 horsepower per tonne. The engine mates to a six-speed manual gearbox.

This drivetrain sprints the 05 from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.7 seconds and up to a top speed of 245 km/h (152 mph).

Drivetrain Specifications

Engine

2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder

Output

285 horsepower

Torque

309 pound-feet

Transmission

Six-speed manual transmission

Acceleration (0-100 km/h)

3.7 Seconds

Top Speed

152 mph


Suspensions and brakes

The new VUHL 05 rides on OZ alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance Michelin tires, sized 205/45R17 up front and 235/45R18 on the rear.

VUHL also offers a suspension system with unequal-length double-wishbones on the front and rear. The brake system features 310 mm (12.20-inch) ventilated cross-drilled discs at the front and 280 mm (11.02-inch) discs on the rear.

Prices

The new VUHL 05 is priced at £55,000 (plus tax, plus shipping) - about $84,000 at the current exchange rates. The model will initially hit the UK and North American markets, but in the future it will also be offered in Europe, China and the Middle East.

Competition

2013 BAC Mono

It's no surprise to see that the new VUHL 05 looks a little bit like its competitors.

The BAC Mono however 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. This engine sprints the car to an impressive top speed of 170 mph.

It is a little bit faster than the 05, but is also a little bit more expensive: about $108,000.

2013 KTM X-Bow R

The X-Bow is by far our favorite track-oriented car. It is powered by a 2.0-liter TSFI engine that delivers a total of 300 horsepower and a peak torque of 295 pound-feet. This engine helps sprint the X-Bow R to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and to a 231 km/h (143 mph) top speed. So, why is the X-Bow more powerful than the VUHL, but slower than it? This is courtesy of the X-Bows relatively bulky 790 kg (1,741-pound) dry weight.

Prices for the X-Bow start at $88,500.

Conclusion

The new VUHL 05 is just another car specially developed for the track, but that can also be driven on the road. It looks cool, delivers the right amount of power and seems to be pretty fast.

In short: the perfect recipe for a great sports car. We're just waiting to testing it to see how good it is.