Elfin T5 Clubman

Australian sports car manufacturer's new lightweight roadster.

By RacingPete / Monday, 13 October 2008 / Loading comments

As the autumnal days get a little shorter and the heating switches are turned on across UK households you might be excused for wanting to run away to the land down under for a bit of summer sun. And if you were inclined for that option you could do worse than looking up the new Elfin T5 Clubman as your hire car.

The Australian sports car firm - backed by motor sport legend Tom Walkinshaw – has announced their new rival to the Caterham and Westfield market at the Sydney motor show.

The new roadster is powered by a turbo 2.0-litre block that produces 260bhp and 258lb/ft. Though the car weighs more than a Caterham R400 by 225kg, at 750kg, the pure pulling power of the T5 means it will reach 60mph in 3.7 seconds, a whole 0.1 seconds quicker than the R400.

There is no confirmation on the price yet, but it is expected to retail around $50,000 Australian dollars – which converts to 19,500 of your finest British Pounds. There is also no news if Hertz has got one in for rental either.