To Zenos E10 which at present is known as Project 10, based on an aluminum chassis with carbon fiber ‘tub’, a combination according to Ali offers excellent rigidity and low weight.
On motion of Zenos will take a four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine of the Ford that delivers 200 horses and 210 Nm of torque and will be combined with a manual five-speed gearbox. Thanks to them, the E10 is expected to accelerate to 100 km/h from standstill in just 4.5 seconds and continues until 217 km/h. Do not be discouraged, however, since reports indicate that there will be more powerful versions in the future, there will be an available six-speed gearbox and a limited slip differential lock.
The E10 is 180mm longer than a Caterham 7 and 265mm wider and not weigh much more than 650 pounds! The front wheels are 16 inch and rear 17 (of OZ Racing) while the tires are probably semi-slicks. The suspension consists of double wishbones at all four wheels while the brakes are solid dipistones calipers with vented discs offered as an extra.
The interior as you can imagine will be Spartan, with lightweight bucket seats and an LCD multifunction display offered as standard and even the radiator will be extra. As extra will also offer a limited slip differential, the games areas, full roll cage, better wheels and a combination of options called “track pack”.
The company is already working on the cabrio and coupe version will be presented in 2018. The construction of Zenons 10 will begin in late 2014 with the first to be delivered by early 2015. Information about prices still do not exist.
LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTS CAR TO BE REVEALED AT AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL
The world will meet the brand new ultra-light Zenos E10 sports car for the first time next month at Europe’s largest dedicated motorsport trade show, Autosport International.
On 9-12 January at Birmingham’s NEC, the first model from Zenos Cars, a partnership between former Caterham Cars CEO Ansar Ali and COO Mark Edwards, will be unveiled along with pricing and additional technical details. Having also worked together at Lotus, Ali and Edwards have over 30 years of experience in the niche sports car sector.
Track focused yet road legal, the open-top, step-in, two-seater is powered by a mid-mounted 2.0-litre Ford engine producing 200bhp. Weighing only 650kg, it delivers a power-to-weight ratio of 300bhp/tonne and covers 0-60mph in under five seconds.
Beneath a body that’s set to consist of 18 panels, the unique chassis architecture lends itself to the Zenos name: a combination of ‘zen’ to represent purity, and ‘os’, loosely Latin for ‘vertebra’.
A single, aluminium extrusion ‘backbone’ spans the length of the E10, delivering impressive torsional rigidity, accompanied by an aluminium rear sub frame and a safety cell incorporating twin roll hoops and side-impact protection. The flexibility and low investment demand of the Zenos platform architecture has been recognised through a development grant from the Niche Vehicle Network.
The driver and passenger sit either side of the spine in an integrated carbon composite monocoque, constructed from recycled carbon fibre as a skin with a thermoplastic core; a lightweight, strong and cost-effective solution.
Autosport International exhibitors Alcon, Bilstein, Corebeau and Titan are among the partners involved in the project.
The E10 is due to enter production in late 2014, with first customer deliveries expected during the opening quarter of 2015. Based on the same chassis architecture, two further models are in the pipeline for the next five years, a Roadster, Project E11, and a GT Coupé, Project E12.
“The launch of the E10 at Autosport International will mark another major milestone in what’s been an exciting 18 months since work begun on Zenos Cars,” said co-founder Ansar Ali.
“Based on our experience, we know the sector and what drivers want, and with the Zenos E10 we have worked hard to develop a fun, engaging and affordable lightweight sports car. We’re looking forward to showing it to the world.”
With its E10 launch at Autosport International, Zenos Cars will be among more than 500 companies showcasing the latest in performance engineering technology at Birmingham’s NEC. Over £1 billion worth of new business in the sector was generated at the 2013 show, which includes two days dedicated to industry professionals, 9-10 January.
“Zenos Cars is a remarkably exciting company, that has attracted significant interest within the motoring industry in recent months,” said Ian France, Autosport International Show Director.
“With an impressive pedigree, the team has created an innovative and exciting package, including the use of recycled carbon fibre. We’re looking forward to hosting the launch of the E10 at Autosport International, and seeing the car for ourselves.”
Trade registration for Autosport International 2014 is now open, from £26 with discounts for group bookings. To register call , or visit www.autosportinternational.com.
