► Handbuilt racer for the road is a one-off
► Exquisitely-built by gearbox manufacturer
► 2.0-litre turbo develops 349bhp, and it weighs 1150kg
It’s unlikely you’ve heard of Ikeya Formula. We hadn’t anyway. But this manufacturer of innovative seamless-shift manual transmissions and limited slip diffs rocked up to Tokyo with this road-registered handbuilt one-off turbocharged supercar. And we love it.
The Tochigi-based company was formed in 1968, and has been building cars on and off since 1996. It probably takes more time to say its name, IF-02RDS, than it will take to get from 0-100mph – and we know this, because here are the numbers…
It’s powered by a 1998cc turbocharged Honda-sourced engine. Maximum power is up to 349bhp, which is more than enough to haul this 1150kg racer effectively. And it is a racer – it has all-round double wishbone suspension, and drive to the rear wheels is by Ikeya Formula’s own five-speed seamless transmission.
Not heard of Ikeya Formula?
Then all you need to know is that it makes bespoke transmissions and differentials, as well as a very impressive 600bhp 4.0-litre V10 engine. We’re hoping that Ikeya mate this F1-inspired engine with this car to produce something rather exceptional. And frightning.
Company boss Shinji Ikeya playfully says of his beast, ‘with our knowledge and technical expertise, we have put together an automobile to drive, and hope to grow with those who love getting behind the wheel.’
If all this is too much, Ikeya also makes a mean battery-powered tricycle…
