Dream Wheels

ASEE Prism, Jan 2007 by Grose, Thomas K

AUTOMOBILES

FANS OF Grand Prix racing take note: The world's first "street-legal" (well, it is in the United Kingdom) roadster that's loaded with Formula One materialstechnology, design and performance is on the loose. The Caparo T1 is the handiwork of two former McLaren F1 engineers, Brits Ben Scott-Geddes and Graham Halstead. They're marketing it as "an engineer's dream built without compromise." But engineering dreams don't come cheap. Want one? Be ready to pony up around $311,000. The car boasts an aluminum V8, 480-h.p. engine that can rocket it from zero to 60 mph in under 2.5 seconds and to 100 mph in 5 seconds. Top speed: 200 mph. Its carbon fiber body, like those used in F1 racing, offers high-speed crash protection, yet is ultra-lightweight. Actually, the materials are the point of this adrenaline-pumping exercise. Caparo Vehicle Technologies sees the T1 as a calling card in its effort to become a leading supplier of advanced composite materials. Scott-Geddes says lightweight composites can help automakers cut carbon emissions without sacrificing performance. Caparo hopes to sell the T1 in the United States later this year. Just the thing for quick weekend getaways. Really quick ones. -TG