KEY POINTS:
IFR Automotive has taken the covers off its lightweight Aspid sportscar, revealing a bony racer powered by a supercharged 300kW version of the 2 litre engine from the Honda Civic Type R.
The two-seater was unveiled at the British motor show and is aimed at other high-performance roadsters
such as the Caterham CSR 260, Donkervoort D8 and the K" X-Bow.
But Aspid's makers say their car will offer more performance and better fuel economy than its rivals, thanks largely to a power-to-weight ratio of 425kW per tonne.
The brainchild of Spanish automotive engineer Ignacio Fernandez Rodriquez, the machine features a bespoke lightweight aluminium honeycomb chassis, lightweight double wishbone suspension and twin disc front brakes.
The Aspid tips the scales at just 700kg, thanks to the liberal use of carbon fibre. IFR says the Honda engine propels the car from 0-100km/h in 2.8 seconds, 0-162km/h in a blistering 5.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 260km/h.
The engine drives the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox and limited-slip differential.
IFR also claims fuel economy of around 5 litres/100km, or 50mpg, but this figure has yet to be verified.
The Aspid also features sophisticated electronics, allowing the driver to tweak the responsiveness of the steering, throttle and traction control from a touch-screen centre console display or via the F1-style removable steering wheel.
Inside, the cabin is clad in leather and carbon fibre and has luxury features like Bluetooth and wi-fi internet access.
The car comes with an impressive design and engineering pedigree. Rodriquez worked for the Mitsubishi World Rally Championship team as race engineer for Alister McRae and Francois Delecour.
He then founded IFR Automotive in 2003 and hired an experienced team, including dynamics specialists Breno Oliveira (ex-Prodive) and Sergi Arranz (ex-Seat).
"From the outset our aim was to invoke the most intense emotions a car can generate, so the driver can enjoy it with high levels of performance available on the track," says Rodriquez.
He says the design began with no restrictions on the positioning of key chassis and suspension components. A three-dimensional geometric void - literally an empty space - was the starting point.
"For the Aspid our aim was to advance the current state of the art, particularly in the critical area of steering, handling and road holding," says Rodriquez.
"We have taken a new approach on vehicle dynamics, including a new construction method for the chassis, as well as developing new brakes and suspension arms.
"We've also broken with the tradition that says a long wheelbase, wide track and low ride height is best for performance.
"Our chassis and suspension philosophy ensures the car can also be driven with ease on normal roads."
The suspension system can be instantly reprogrammed to suit different road and track conditions.
"But mostly it will be the car's rapid acceleration, cornering poise and equally brisk deceleration that will ensure a memorable driving experience," says Rodriquez.