Is not the first time we hear of a designer that used to work for a major automaker trying to launch a sports car->ke506 of his own. The latest one is the ex-Caterham ->ke1252 boss, Ansar Ali, who started the Zenos brand and wants to develop a new sports car based on the Lotus Elise->ke1678-sized platform.

The new model currently goes by the name "Project E10," and is powered by a Ford->ke31-sourced 2.0-liter engine that delivers a total of 197 horsepower. Ansar Ali is shooting for the E10 to weight only 650 kg (1,433 pounds), so those 197 ponies should be enough to give the E10 a power-to-weight ratio of about 296 horsepower per tonne. For the future, Ali plans to offer more powerful versions too.

The new E10 is built on an aluminum-tubular chassis and features a body made from recycled carbon sheets.

More on the E10 will come as Ali and Zenos get close to releasing a concept, and we will keep you updated with all of the information as it rolls out.

Updated 12/18/2013: Zenos Cars officially confirmed today that the ultra-light E10 sports car will be officially unveiled next month at Europe’s largest dedicated motorsport trade show, Autosport International. The E10 will go into production in late 2014 and first customers will receive their car in early 2015. More details on the Zenos E10 after the jump.

Click past the jump to read more about the Zenos E10.

zenos-e10

Specifications
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  • Model: zenos-e10

2016 Zenos E10

Specifications
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  • Model: 2016 Zenos E10
  • Horsepower: 197
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Drivetrain

The new Zenos E10 is powered by a mid-mounted 2.0-litre Ford engine that delivers a total of 200 horsepower. With a total weight of just 650 kilos (1,433 pounds), the E10 should deliver a power-to-weight ratio of 300bhp/tonne. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph will be made in less than five seconds.

The E10 was built on an integrated carbon composite monocoque and features a body made from 18 different panels. The entire length of the car features a backbone span made in aluminum for improved torsional rigidity, while the subframe will also be made in aluminum for increased protection.

Competitors

Vuhl 05

Vuhl 05 is the dream machine of brothers Iker and Guillermo Echeverria, who started their automotive life with the design agency, Etxe. The 05 is built on a monocoque that weights just 171 pounds, and is powered by 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.

KTM X-Bow

The X-Bow arrived on the market in 2008 when it was powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder 2.0-liter Audi engine. The latest addition to the lineup is the GT version, which gets a 2.0-liter TSFI four-banger that produces 281 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 309 pound-feet of torque at 3,200 rpm.

This output is enough to sprint the X-Bow GT from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and to a top speed of 231 km/h (143.5 mph).