Elemental completes the build of the 1st highly advanced Rp1 lightweight sports car at its new premises in Hambledon, Hampshire

• Elemental completes the build of the first highly advanced Rp1 lightweight sports car at its new premises in Hambledon, Hampshire
• Production version Rp1 to get its first dynamic run on the challenging Hillclimb at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed (23-26 June)
• Second production chassis to go on display on Elemental’s stand (Stand 12) at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
• Rp1’s CarbonAl® tub upgraded from prototype vehicle for enhanced aerodynamics and first-class levels of material quality, fit and finish
• Entire central structure weighs just 65kg and features a feet-up driving position derived from top-tier motor racing cars
• Unique underbody aerodynamics package means Rp1 capable of generating up to 400kg of downforce at 150mph in standard road set-up

Elemental has completed its first production specification Rp1 lightweight sports car at its new production facility in Hambledon Hampshire.

The completion of the 500bhp/tonne Rp1 is a landmark moment for the British manufacturer who has been designing and developing the lightweight sports car over a four-year period with the intention of creating one of the most advanced cars of its kind.

 320

John Begley, Elemental’s Technical Director and Founder said: “The Rp1 has been designed and developed to deliver a thrilling driving experience no matter if it’s on road or track. The collective sum of the adjustments we’ve made to make the production car amounts to a fundamental leap in terms of quality, driving dynamics, performance and safety over its forebear.

“Completing the very first production chassis at our new manufacturing premises is a tremendous achievement for the entire Elemental team and we are looking forward to giving the Rp1 its first official outing on the famous Goodwood Festival of Speed Hillclimb.”

Ian Hall, Production Manager at Elemental, added: “Elemental is truly a 21^st century car company as it has exploited the latest efficient production techniques available to produce a car that we believe is without compromise. By streamlining our production processes we’ll be able to gradually increase production and still maintain first-class levels of material quality as well as fit and finish.”

Central to the Rp1’s advanced design is Elemental’s patented CarbonAl^® tub that weighs just 65kg and incorporates a feet-up driving position – the same seating position as that found of F1 and World Endurance prototypes. It has been built to exceed FIA structural standards for strength and rigidity and is made using high-performance F1-grade carbon fibre. 

Mark Fowler, Bodywork and Aerodynamics Lead and Elemental co-founder said: “The feet-up driving position puts the Rp1 at the forefront of its sector as it provides space to accommodate a diffuser under the front half of the car as part of the cutting edge aerodynamics package.”

Thanks to this and the rear diffuser, the Rp1 is able to generate remarkable downforce to offer exceptional levels of grip. We’ve modelled the car using the very latest Computational Fluid Dynamics software and found the Rp1 begins to generate meaningful downforce even at motorways speeds. Taking the Rp1 up to 150mph generates 400kg of downforce – this is just in the standard road height set-up. We are running our final verification tests on the car but we are confident of achieving an even greater figure in the more aggressive track-focussed set-up.”

The Rp1’s suspension can be easily adjusted and optimised by the user, either by hand or using basic tools. This allows a level of chassis adjustment that would normally require the services of a fully trained mechanic and means that the vehicle dynamics can be quickly and easily refined to the user’s requirements when at a track day. Switchable traction control is fitted as standard. With the option of up to five traction control and engine map settings, ranging from standard road to full race setups, the car can be easily tailored to a driver’s driving style and the prevailing surface conditions.

The Rp1 is powered by a choice of two turbocharged Ecoboost engines - a 180bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder and a 320bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder that propel the car from 0-60mph in 3.2sec and 2.8sec respectively. In addition to the Rp1’s accessible performance, the car also features a degree of practicality featuring two 100-litre storage binnacles behind the rear bulkhead.

As well as the car driving up the Hill, Elemental will have its second production car on display at its stand (Stand 12) located within the exhibition area. Come and learn more about one of the most eagerly anticipated and advanced sports cars to hit the market in 2016 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed between 23-26 June.