Caparo T1
An orange Caparo T1 at the 2006 British Motor Show
Overview
ManufacturerCaparo Vehicle Technologies
Body and chassis
ClassSupercar/racing car
Body style2-door coupé
LayoutMid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine3.5 L naturally-aspirated V8
Transmission6-speed sequential manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2900 mm (114.2 in)
Length4066 mm (160.1 in)
Width1924 mm (75.7 in)
Height1076 mm (42.4 in)
Curb weight470 kg (1036 lb)

The Caparo T1 is a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, two-seater, open-wheel car built by Caparo Vehicle Technologies, (formally know as Freestream), founded by Ben Scott-Geddes and Graham Halstead, former engineers involved in the development of the McLaren F1.[1] The T1 was inspired by Formula One design, and intended as an affordable street legal race car.[1] The T1 is scheduled for production in mid-2007 for a price of GB£180,000 (approx. US$350,000, c.2007).[2]

Overview

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The T1 is an lightweight road-going track car, with a dry curb weight of 470 kg (1036 lb) and a maximum power of 480 brake horsepower (487 PS/358 kW) at 10500 revolutions per minute, giving the car a power-to-weight ratio of 1000 brake horsepower per tonne, double that of the Bugatti Veyron.

Exterior

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The exterior of the T1 closely resembles that of a racing prototype or Formula One racing car. It features a carbon fibre aerodynamic low drag body design, composed of individual sections, with an adjustable twin element front wing, single element rear wing, and fowler flaps, and a ground effect diffuser. The wings are replaceable with road and track variations.

Interior

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The interior of the T1 is a basic two-seat configuration, lacking any amenities and luxuries to reduce excess weight. Offered are a head protection system, six-point harnesses for the driver and passenger, compatible with a HANS device, and is designed with a central safety cell made of a high-strength steel roll hoop with a fire system. The dashboard is multi-function with race data logging and speed sensors for traction control and launch control.

Chassis

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The chassis of the T1 is composed of a carbon fibre and aluminum honeycomb monocoque with a front composite crash structure and a rear tubular space frame construction. The suspension is of a double wishbone design with tunable anti-roll bars, front and rear, and five-way adjustable race dampers. The braking system is composed of 355 mm steel brake rotors, with six-piston and four-piston calipers front and rear, respectively. The brake bias pedal box is fully adjustable and brake pads are available in various compounds.

Performance

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The T1 sports a 3.5-litre, all-aluminum, naturally-aspirated V8 engine, lubricated via a dry sump system. Although, the original deign for the engine was to be smaller and supercharged.[1] It generates 480 brake horsepower (487 PS/358 kW) at 10500 revolutions per minute. The engine is controlled via a fully tunable Engine Control Unit. The gearbox is 6-speed sequential made of a magnesium and carbon construction and has a variety of available gear ratios. At the end of the drivetrain is a limited slip differential and equal length hollow tripod driveshafts.

The T1 is capable of exceeding an estimated maximum speed of 322 kilometres per hour (200 mph) on a low downforce setup. From a standing start, it has an estimated 0-96 kilometers per hour (60 mph) under 2.5 seconds and onto 160 kilometers per hour (100 mph) under 5 seconds, depending on tyre setup. It is also capable of an estimated lateral acceleration of up to 3 g's and braking deceleration of 3 g's.

References

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  • "Caparo T1". T1 Cars Limited. Retrieved 2007-06-07.

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c Ed Grabianowski. "Howstuffworks "How the Caparo T1 Works"". Howstuffworks. Retrieved 2007-06-10.
  2. ^ "RSportsCars.com: Caparo T1". RSportsCars.com. Retrieved 2007-06-10.
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