Vuhl_05
sports lightweight has finally arrived on UK tarmac. For the first time since it went
up the hill at Goodwood
two years ago, British enthusiasts are now able to see it in the flesh. And indeed test drive it, as the first European dealer - Bespoke Performance of Ware in Herts - has been appointed right here in the UK.
Bespoke's Mark Kent and Vuhl's Iker Echeverria
Vuhl 05
is the latest in a trio of recently launched road-legal track day focused lightweights and effectively bookended by the homegrown Zenos E10 S and Elemental RP1. Vuhl's headline figures of 695kg, 285hp, 152mph and 0-62 in 3.7 seconds are right on the money - which is £59,995, by the way.
The Elemental is pricier (£75K) but lighter (580kg), more powerful (320hp), faster (3.1 seconds 0-62 and 170mph) and is more exotic with its race sequential gearbox and clever underfloor aero. Vuhl may also have a challenge enticing budget enthusiasts up from the Zenos E10 S, which is priced very competitively at £30K, although it loses out on power (250hp), weight (725kg) and performance (4.0 seconds 0-62 and 145mph).
PH actually crossed paths with the Vuhl just this week and in the metal and carbon it looks both stylish and extremely well finished, not to mention rapid. Enough to make it stand out against two very tempting alternatives? We'll actually be driving the Vuhl at Brighton Speed Trials in September, where we'll get a better idea and its slender weight and healthy power should see it go well.
And as its handling has been honed in the UK, we're also hoping it'll handle well - something we'll hopefully see at its next UK appearance at Kop Hillclimb in Princes Risborough on September 19/20.
Correction: In the original version of this story we stated Bespoke Performance emerged out of John Britten Garages, later known as the TVR Centre. This would appear not to be the case and we apologise for any confusion this may have caused. DT
