► New Zenos E10 R with 40% more power than E10 S
► 2.3-litre Ford turbo engine, 0-60mph in 3.0sec, 155mph
► Upgraded brakes, suspension; Drive Edition launch spec
Fledgling British sports car maker Zenos Cars has announced a 350bhp version of its flyweight E10 road legal track warrior. The Zenos E10 R is powered by a 2.3-litre Ford EcoBoost turbo, and is probably best sampled before lunch.
Remind me, what exactly is the Zenos E10?
Zenos Cars sprang into life in 2013 when a group of ex-Caterham personnel decided it was about time there was a fresh face on the affordable British sports car scene. The E10 is their first effort, and impresses with both its simplicity and its sophistication.
The car is built around an extruded aluminium backbone chassis – a little like the original Lotus Elan – with a mid-mounted engine, double-wishbone suspension and rollcage. At the front the springs and dampers are mounted in-board and actuate pushrods like a racing car, while the bodywork is a mix of recycled carbonfibre (70% of the strength of ‘virgin’ carbon for 10% of the cost, apparently) and easily replaced GRP panels for colour.
The whole thing weighs around 700kg (dry), and has been designed to put the driver right at the centre of the action, with a high-set gearlever just a hand-span from the steering wheel, and a seating position that was the first item in the entire project to be set. Best of all, you can buy one from just £24,995.
So what’s different about the Zenos E10 R?
For the new range-topper, Zenos has tapped Ford for the 2.3-litre EcoBoost that has already found a home in the Mustang and the Focus RS. Fitted with a bespoke ECU, lightweight flywheel and newly developed three-inch diameter exhaust, this is good for 350bhp at 6000rpm and a nice symmetrical 350lb ft at 4000rpm – with 332lb ft available from 3000-6000rpm.
To reiterate, it weighs 700kg before the fluids are added, so the E10 R is going to fly. It is 40% more powerful than the previous best E10 S model.
The official maths suggest 0-60mph in under 3.0sec (assuming the rear wheels can get enough traction) and a 155mph top speed – for which you will most definitely be wanting a helmet or the optional (£2k) windscreen. The E10 R also gets adjustable Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs, OZ Racing alloy wheels that save nearly 10kg, and uprated four-piston Alcon racing brakes at the front. The steering, naturally, remains unassisted.
All that for just £40k?
Well, we suppose it’s quite a bit of cash for a toy with no doors or roof, but can you think of another car that offers 500bhp per tonne for that little money? For your reference, a Caterham 620R – which is less powerful but more bonkers – starts at £49,995.
To launch the E10 R, Zenos is building a limited first run of Drive Editions, which feature unique ‘Charged Graphite’ colouring and a satin black anodised finish to the aluminium backbone, plus even fancier dampers, uprated brake master cylinder, carbonfibre seats, six-point harnesses and a short-shift gear lever. The E10 R Drive Edition costs £43,995.