MOTORING
Surrey’s Premier Lifestyle Magazine
Mexican wave
VŪHL, remember the name: it’s a highly specialist vehicle manufacturer that’s about to emerge from the shadows with an inventory of renowned suppliers and development partners that reads like an international who’s who of the performance car industry. Euan Johns uncovers a jewel at the vanguard of a Mexican wave of sports cars coming to these shores.
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A well known Top Gear presenter (no, not that one) got into hot water a few years back when he suggested the Mexican Mastretta sports car might be as feckless as its countrymen. Another Mexican export, the VŪHL 05, is very impressive, and for a first time effort by the makers, offers some good handling with impressive performance.
VŪHL (the name is pronounced ‘vool’ and stands for ‘Vehicles of Ultra-lightweight and High-performance) is the brainchild of brothers Iker and Guillermo Echeverria, whose Mexican/American design agency, Etxe, penned the breath-taking 05. The first production example of the lightweight supercar was delivered to an arch Mexican enthusiast, who remarked at the recent VIP handover: “My supercar collection was simply not complete without an 05 – this car is serious fun and offers a uniquely raw driving experience!”
Resplendent in all-carbon bodywork, the 05 is the first of several VŪHLs destined for international roads this year. This street legal road/track car can be bought in the UK following the recent appointment of the marque’s first European dealer – Bespoke Performance of Ware.
The VŪHL 05 first hit the headlines at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it was campaigned in the annual hill climb by Mexican-born F1 ace Esteban Gutiérrez.
It was launched at this year’s Festival and brought a breath of fresh air to the premium track-day sector.
VŪHL (the name is pronounced ‘vool’ and stands for ‘Vehicles of Ultra-lightweight and High-performance) is the brainchild of brothers Iker and Guillermo Echeverria, whose Mexican/American design agency, Etxe, penned the breath-taking 05. The first production example of the lightweight supercar was delivered to an arch Mexican enthusiast, who remarked at the recent VIP handover: “My supercar collection was simply not complete without an 05 – this car is serious fun and offers a uniquely raw driving experience!”
Resplendent in all-carbon bodywork, the 05 is the first of several VŪHLs destined for international roads this year. This street legal road/track car can be bought in the UK following the recent appointment of the marque’s first European dealer – Bespoke Performance of Ware.
The VŪHL 05 first hit the headlines at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it was campaigned in the annual hill climb by Mexican-born F1 ace Esteban Gutiérrez.
It was launched at this year’s Festival and brought a breath of fresh air to the premium track-day sector.
VŪHL 05 specification
• Six-speed manual Ford gearbox
• High-ratio rack and pinion steering
• Suspension by unequal length double wishbones front and rear
• Braking by four-pot alloy calipers all-round, operating on 310mm ventilated, cross-drilled discs at the front and 280mm ones at the rear
• Sparco alloy wheels shod with Michelin tyres: 205/45x17 (front); 245/40x18 (rear)
Interesting features and upgrade options include:
• carbon bucket seats with water-resistant Dinamica suede trim
• exposed carbon bodywork panels
• 330mm quick-release suede-covered steering wheel
• electronic data acquisition dash
• built-in HD camera
• a wide range of colours in matt and gloss finish
• titanium bolt pack
• Six-speed manual Ford gearbox
• High-ratio rack and pinion steering
• Suspension by unequal length double wishbones front and rear
• Braking by four-pot alloy calipers all-round, operating on 310mm ventilated, cross-drilled discs at the front and 280mm ones at the rear
• Sparco alloy wheels shod with Michelin tyres: 205/45x17 (front); 245/40x18 (rear)
Interesting features and upgrade options include:
• carbon bucket seats with water-resistant Dinamica suede trim
• exposed carbon bodywork panels
• 330mm quick-release suede-covered steering wheel
• electronic data acquisition dash
• built-in HD camera
• a wide range of colours in matt and gloss finish
• titanium bolt pack
Says VŪHL technical director Iker Echeverria: “We’re obviously extremely happy to have entered full-scale production with our 05 model, and experienced the delight of our first customer. 2014 was a consolidation year for us, during which we concentrated on appointing dealers, obtaining a foothold in various countries and taking orders from around the world. We’re now ready to sell the car in earnest.”
Confirms VŪHL managing director Guillermo Echeverria: “It is naturally very rewarding to have a bank of orders for Mexico and the Middle-East, but we fully recognise the importance of the UK market and have therefore worked especially hard to ready the car for sale in this territory. This has included creating a special all-inclusive launch price of £59,995.”
Born of motorsport heritage and weighing in at just 695kg, the VŪHL is powered by a mid-mounted 285bhp version of Ford’s award-winning 2.0-litre, DOHC turbocharged EcoBoost engine. This endows it with a highly competitive power-to-weight ratio of 400bhp per ton – sufficient for a 0–60mph time of three and a half seconds and top speed of over 150mph. Designed and built in Mexico, the 05 nevertheless has a truly international specification and 40 per cent of its components are sourced from the UK.
Confirms VŪHL managing director Guillermo Echeverria: “It is naturally very rewarding to have a bank of orders for Mexico and the Middle-East, but we fully recognise the importance of the UK market and have therefore worked especially hard to ready the car for sale in this territory. This has included creating a special all-inclusive launch price of £59,995.”
Born of motorsport heritage and weighing in at just 695kg, the VŪHL is powered by a mid-mounted 285bhp version of Ford’s award-winning 2.0-litre, DOHC turbocharged EcoBoost engine. This endows it with a highly competitive power-to-weight ratio of 400bhp per ton – sufficient for a 0–60mph time of three and a half seconds and top speed of over 150mph. Designed and built in Mexico, the 05 nevertheless has a truly international specification and 40 per cent of its components are sourced from the UK.
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The high-tech chassis comprises a three-section bonded tub constructed from aluminium extrusions and honeycomb – aerospace technology that provides the 05 with a remarkably high level of torsional rigidity. Bolted direct to the passenger cell is a chrome-moly steel subframe housing the engine and rear suspension.
A three-stage forward crash structure and double layer sidewalls provide a matchless level of protection for occupants. The standard body is made from GRP, but carbonfibre is an attractive option – it saves over 30kg in weight and the exposed parts can be configured to taste. The sophisticated aerodynamic features include a flat underbody, front and lateral splitters, rear diffuser and rear spoiler.
At just shy of 60K, the VŪHL is more expensive than rivals Caterham and Ariel, but more than makes up in the exclusivity stakes. So, as a plaything for petrolheads, it’s right up there with the best.
A three-stage forward crash structure and double layer sidewalls provide a matchless level of protection for occupants. The standard body is made from GRP, but carbonfibre is an attractive option – it saves over 30kg in weight and the exposed parts can be configured to taste. The sophisticated aerodynamic features include a flat underbody, front and lateral splitters, rear diffuser and rear spoiler.
At just shy of 60K, the VŪHL is more expensive than rivals Caterham and Ariel, but more than makes up in the exclusivity stakes. So, as a plaything for petrolheads, it’s right up there with the best.
“My supercar collection was simply not complete without an 05 – this car is serious fun and offers a uniquely raw driving experience!”