Sports Car Forum - MotorWorld.net

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HOLDEN ELFIN & CLUBMAN REVEALED

Holden revealed two retro styled two-seat sports cars at the Motor Show on Friday 27 February.

Michael Simcoe, Holden's executive director of design in the Asia Pacific region, said the project highlighted the exhilarating performance potential to be realised by matching Holden's 245kW Gen III V8, six-speed gearbox, limited slip diff, ABS and traction control systems to a lightweight space frame with custom suspension and other specialised racing componentry.

"Given the Elfin power to weight ratio of 3.57kg/kW, (Clubman MS8) we estimate a 0-100 km/h time of about 3.5 seconds. This package of pure power, great chassis dynamics and looks to match is enough to place them right up there in the serious sports car league," Simcoe said.

In addition to the car's 245kW and 465Nm of torque, the Elfin roadsters come equipped with high-performance slotted and ventilated disc brakes, 343mm discs up front matched with Elfin aluminium 6 piston calipers, and 315mm discs with Elfin 4 piston calipers at the rear.

"This project successfully leveraged Holden's design know-how and resources with Elfin's specialist skill in hand-built racing chassis production," he said. "The synergy between us was amazing. I guess that's what happens when one bunch of car buffs meets another.

The customary low-backed bucket racing seats, trimmed in black leather, are fitted with four-point racing harnesses. The park brake and grab handle are also leather-trimmed; while the back panel is finished in quilted suede.

Elfin's joint managing director, Nick Kovatch, says once the vehicles have gained Australian Design Rules certification, the company hopes to build up to 100 units annually.

"Both will be fully road registrable - and because each will be hand-built and prepared to suit individual owners' requirements, no two will be the same," he said.

"We anticipate that pricing for Clubman MS8 will start at approximately $85,000 and the Streamliner MS at approximately $105,000. However, as these cars will be hand built to the specific order of each customer, these prices are really only indicative. There is a myriad of possibilities. And of course that will be part of the appeal - each of these cars will be unique," Mr Kovatch concluded.

In reference to the names Clubman and Streamliner, Elfin's 'MS' designation (it stands for Motor Sport) is traditional. The last MS series Elfin sports car was the Chevrolet V8-powered MS7, which won the 1975 and 1976 Australian Tourist Trophy Sports Car Championships

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