The all new Connaught Type-D GT Syracuse will make its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on the 7th, 8th & 9th July 2006. The Type-D GT Syracuse will be on display in the Supercar paddock, with two more cars in the Connaught stand.
Connaught celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Syracuse victory with the introduction of a high performance Type-D GT Syracuse. This innovative and exquisitely engineered hand-built GT is a tribute to the legacy of Connaught. With production limited to 100 vehicles, exclusivity is guaranteed.
The Connaught Type-D GT is a hand-crafted four seater sports coupé with a supercharged V10 engine that offers best in class performance and a superb ride and handling balance. The result is the world's most versatile sports coupé that can be enjoyed on the racing circuit or taking the children to school.
In celebration of the Connaught Grand Prix victory at Syracuse, Sicily
Connaught made history in 1955 when it became the first post-war British car with a British driver to win a Grand Prix. Tony Brooks, driving in his first Grand Prix, could both out-accelerate and out-brake the Italian and German cars which were dominating the World Championship in that era.
With an average speed of 99.05 mph Mr Brooks not only broke the previous record by almost four mph, but also reinvigorated the British automotive industry.
Connaught Type-D GT Syracuse Edition
Connaught celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Syracuse victory with the introduction of a high performance Connaught Type-D Syracuse Edition. This innovative and exquisitely engineered hand-built GT is a tribute to the legacy of Connaught. With production limited to 100 vehicles, exclusivity is guaranteed.
Design
The powerful design of the Connaught is complemented with beautiful details, its impressive appearance is dominant and understated at the same time. The contemporary style of the Type-D GT is combined with a spacious and comfortable interior, which makes the four seater sports coupé ideal for everyday use. Suitable for track days, the daily school run and everything in between, the Type-D GT truly is an everyday supercar
Exterior
The Type-D features powerful sleek lines and ingeniously crafted details. The beautiful lines and strong visual identity makes the unique design instantly recognisable as a Connaught.
During the design extensive attention has been invested in even the smallest details. Looking at the Connaught, the precise engineering and perfect craftsmanship can be found throughout all the elements in and around the car. From the striking, recessed 7 inch headlights, slight overhang of the tail, every part of the Type-D has been precisely tuned in balance to complement the beautiful design.
Each Connaught will be tailor-made to your chosen specification. Individuality through choice and expression are a cornerstone of the Connaught brand.
Not only can you choose from a wide range of options, colours and finishes; Connaught's flexible production facility makes it possible for us to combine a number of options tailored to meet your individual wishes.
From 2007 the Type-D H will be available with an optional full glass sliding panoramic roof. The three tinted glass panels are independently operated; through an electrical system that slides the panels into the boot lid, without encroaching on the impressive 380ltr boot capacity.
Interior
The interior of the Type-D is contemporary and stylish, with exclusive use of advanced materials like aluminium and composites. The hand-trimmed interior seats four comfortably and is complemented with a spacious boot (with capacity over 360 litres).
Each Connaught will be tailor made, exactly meeting your wishes and demands. Not only can be chosen form a wide range of options, colours and finishes; Connaught's flexible production facility enables to combine tailored options exactly meeting your individual wishes.
The Type-D GT Syracuse comes with a personalised leather and aluminium interior. Air-conditioning, keyless entry, push button start and In Car Entertainment set are standard; the optional Executive pack includes an advanced satellite navigation system with a 7" touch screen interface, wireless blue-tooth interface, climate control, tyre pressure monitoring. A safe integral ISO-FIX child seat is currently being developed; positioned between the rear seats without encroaching on interior space for the other passengers.
Engine and powertrain
V10 power
The exclusively engineered 22,5 degree, mid-front mounted Connaught V10 engine has an aggressive soul of its own. Equipped with a twin-scroll supercharger, the Connaught V10 delivers 300bhp at 7000rpm and 1.5 bar of boost, providing a better power to weight ratio then any other vehicle in its class.
The front-mid engine layout, light-weight technology and suspension combination ensures that the Connaught has well balanced handling and braking. 274lb ft of torque is developed at 3000rpm and fed to the rear wheels via a five-speed gear box and a limited-slip differential, offering class leading performance.
Light weight construction
The steel light weight safety frame and technologies employed in manufacture of the Type-D result in a vehicle which is 20-30% lighter then the competition, with a 50/50 weight balance. Clever use of composites, aluminium body panels and a light weight safety frame have kept the weight of the four seater car under 1000 kg.
Less weight offers significant improvement in acceleration (less mass to accelerate), handling (improved momentum balance in corners), fuel economy (less mass requires less energy) and crash performance (less energy to absorb for a given speed).
Connaught have designed the Type-D using the latest computer simulations to refine each and every component in the vehicle. Using cutting edge technologies has enabled the designers to refine the cars chassis, structure and powertrain to deliver an exceptionally strong, yet light weight vehicle.
Every component has been analysed and tested for stress, durability, weight and material specification to exacting standards.
Safety
The unique engine position mid front in the car, mounted north-south between the front seats, not only ensures excellent ride and handling (50/50 weight distribution) characteristics, but also improves the vehicle safety.
The construction of the Type-D is engineered to become the best vehicle in its class. The increased space in front is given to crash impact protection to offer maximum occupant safety, and the design anticipates to meet 2010 legislation regarding pedestrian impact protection.
Extensive computer simulations indicate an expected five star NCAP safety rating for the Connaught Type-D.