Fondata dai fratelli Guillermo e Iker Echeverria, la messicana Vehicles Of Ultra-Lightweight (Vuhl) è apparsa la prima volta sul mercato nel 2013, quando ha debuttato con il giocattolo da pista Vuhl 05. Una versione più cattiva, soprannominata 05RR, è stata svelata al Goodwood Festival of Speed 2016, ma solo ora la versione di produzione ha fatto capolino sul web.
Sotto c'è la Mustang
Simile nella filosofia alle varie Ariel Atom, KTM X-Bow e Caterham, la Vuhl 05RR del 2019 è un'evoluzione della vettura originale e può contare su una dose extra di cavalli (115) e coppia (100 Nm). Il totale ottenuto dal motore EcoBoost di 2,3 litri firmato Ford (quello della Mustang) è di 400 CV, che le permettono di coprire lo 0-100 km/h in 2,7 secondi, con una velocità massima di 255 km/h.
A proposito di ultraleggere
Studiata per la pista
La 05RR è omologata per la strada, ma è in pista che la piccola messicana può dare il suo meglio, motivo per cui Vuhl venderà l'auto con un assortimento di aggiornamenti su misura per il circuito. Gli optional includono gomme slick, setup di sospensioni su misura, per non parlare di un differenziale a slittamento limitato e di una messa a punto speciale dello sterzo per l'uso su tra i cordoli. Per rendere la vettura più agile, Vuhl ha abbassato la posizione del motore per abbassare il baricentro di 50 mm.
Al momento viene venduta in Messico, in Europa e negli Stati Uniti. I prezzi per il mercato italiano non sono ancora chiari, quello che sappiamo è che nel Regno Unito servono circa 109 mila Euro per portasi a casa un esemplare di Vuhl 05RR.
Fotogallery: VUHL 05RR
Vuhl 05RR
VUHL, the road-legal lightweight supercar manufacturer, has unveiled its groundbreaking new car - the 05RR - to an exclusive audience in Mexico City.
With the performance credentials to rivals its competitors, VUHL's heavily-uprated 05RR is a masterclass in power, finesse and grip. Almost every element has been enhanced from the brand's first iteration, the 05; offering the ultimate driving experience on the racetrack and the road.
Weight has been reduced by 65kg to a maximum dry weight of 660kg and its distribution has markedly improved. Power and torque output has increased by 115bhp and 100Nm respectively, whilst power-to-weight is upped by 200bhp/tonne to a total of 600bhp/tonne. A lightweight flywheel, lighter race clutch and full carbon wheels have significantly reduced rotational inertia and boosted engine performance in the 05RR, allowing it to reach 60mph in just 2.7 seconds from standstill.
Mechanically, a lower powertrain position has allowed the 05RR's centre of gravity to lower 50mm which, combined with a sequential paddle shift gearbox, limited slip differential and a track-focused suspension and steering system, offers grip in excess. Customers will also have the option to receive bespoke track-specific suspension setup and slick tyres.
Interior improvements have been made to the dashboard and the air intake to offer those in the cockpit the most engaging driving experience. The exterior aesthetics have added to the chassis' overall performance a large single-plane rear wing and carbon wheels playing a role in the car's resounding and aggressive enhancements.
An all-new high downforce setup on the 05RR affords the driver confidence on the throttle when cornering. The aerodynamic balance, combined with the shift in weight distribution of 4% harnesses an total 1.8G of lateral acceleration.
Several years of intense development from VUHL's team of international engineers have yielded a supercar that is not just beautiful to look at and efficient aerodynamically, but one that boasts the highest power-to-weight ratio within its market.
Iker Echeverria, VUHL Technical Director, said: "The VUHL 05RR is here. More exciting, more engaging and faster than ever before, this car is a real milestone in our company's development. We have been listening to feedback, done some learning and quietly developing and evolving our offering for a number of years. The result is truly remarkable, a car that is devoid of restraint and an improvement in almost every area.
"We are so proud to unveil the VUHL 05RR, a perfect race car for the road, to an exclusive audience here in our home city of Mexico City. We look forward to showing the world what our remarkable lightweight cars are capable of at the Race of Champions."