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VUHL 05 from Mexico
NOTE: VUHL is pronounced vool, rhymes with cool.
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VUHL 05 unveiled
Recent new car releases ..... here
Upcoming new car releases ..... here
14th July, 2013
Unveiled on 3rd July 2013 in London at the Royal Automobile Club, the VUHL
05 is a new sports car from Mexico. It will be appearing at this week-end's Festival of Speed in Goodwood, England.
Guillermo Echeverria senior, the father of VUHL 05 designers Guillermo and Iker Echeverria, was a professional driver
who built and successfully raced his own cars for 30 years. The sons inherited his passion and knowledge and added
qualifications in transportation design. Guillermo Junior has direct experience of the performance car industry, while
Iker won the Mexican QUORUM Industrial Design Award in 2007 when still a student - he was not only up against scholars
but senior designers, agencies and universities.
The brothers subsequently formed their own Mexico City/Detroit-based design agency, ETXE, which having worked on
projects for numerous global brands then penned the 05 – a lightweight sports car for road and track in the vein of the
BAC Mono, Ariel Atom, KTM X-Bow etc.
Said Iker: “Our background means the VŪHL 05 has been developed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. We were
determined to create a highly intuitive machine that was both stirringly fast and immense fun to drive – a car we
ourselves would want to own. We have endeavoured to endow it with class-leading ergonomics and a contemporary silhouette
of striking proportions, and the aim of uncompromising build quality has underpinned the project since day one.”
Chassis/body
The 05’s monocoque weighs in at a mere 78kg, while the dry weight of the entire car is a very competitive 695kg. The
chassis comprises a three-section bonded tub constructed from aluminium extrusions and aluminium honeycomb - aerospace
technology that endows the 05 with a remarkably high level of torsional rigidity for optimum handling. Bolted direct to
the passenger cell is a chrome-moly steel subframe housing the engine and rear suspension. A three-stage forward crash
structure and double layer sidewalls provide an element of protection for the occupants. The standard body is made from
RTM reinforced plastic, but carbon fibre is an option. The aero features include a flat underbody, front and lateral
splitters, rear diffuser and rear spoiler.
Engine/performance
Power comes from a 2-litre version of Ford’s award-winning DOHC turbocharged EcoBoost engine, the output of which is
285bhp and 420Nm of torque, giving a power to weight ratio of 400bhp per tonne. This results in a 0-100 km/h time of 3.7
seconds and a top speed of 245kph.
Transmission/steering
The engine drives through a six-speed manual gearbox. Steering is by a high ratio rack and pinion system.
Suspension/brakes
The suspension is by unequal length double wishbones front and rear. Braking is by four-pot alloy callipers all-round,
operating on 310mm ventilated cross-drilled discs at the front and 280mm units at the rear.
Wheels/tyres
The 05 rides on OZ alloy wheels shod with Michelin tyres; the sizes of which are 205/45 x 17 front; 235/45 x 18 rear.
Interior
The unique specification can include: carbon bucket seats; 330mm quick release water-resistant suede-covered steering
wheel; electronic data acquisition dash; integral HD camera; and water-resistant Dinamica suede trim.
Dimensions
| Width |
1,876mm |
| Length |
3,718mm |
| Height |
1,120mm |
| Wheelbase |
2,300mm |
| Ground clearance |
110mm |
| Dry weight |
695kg |
| Kerb weight |
725kg |
| Power to weight ratio |
400bhp/tonne |
| Weight distribution |
37/63 (front/rear) |
Availability
Initial sales will be confined to the UK and North America, but the intention is to make the car available in some
other key European countries. China and some Middle-East markets are likely, in time.
First deliveries are expected to take place in 2014.
E&OE.
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