Is the Caparo T1 Really a Racing Car For the Road?

It is safe to say that the Caparo T1 road car hasbetter it will accelerate, stop and handle. Certainly
not had the easiest development period. Firstlythis was the mantra of Gordon Murray when he
there was the suspension failure whilst givingwas designing the Mclaren F1 and that supercar
passenger laps to assembled journalists, thentipped the scales at over 1000kg, whereas in
Jason Plato was badly burned on the hands andcontrast the Caparo weighs just 670kg.
face whilst testing the car for Fifth Gear. Finally,The combination of low weight and a 3.5 litre V8
to top it all, Jeremy Clarkson called the carengine that is capable of producing 610bhp gives
undriveable at low speeds during its debut on thethe T1 an all important power to weigh ratio of
Top Gear television programme.922 bhp per ton, which easily trumps the Bugatti
It is not surprising that such stinging criticism hasVeyron, however the Veyron will certainly carry
hurt Caparo, however in their defence these earlyyou in significantly more style and comfort. By
tests used pre-production prototype cars, andcontrast, whilst the Caparo T1 does have two
with hindsight Caparo would have actually waitedseats, the passenger side is very cramped and
a little longer before letting journalists loose withset slightly back from the driver's side so you will
their new vehicle.definitely need to choose your passenger wisely.
The Caparo T1 has been called a Formula 1 carWhen it comes to the performance figures they
for the road, however as Ferrari discovered backare nothing short of mind blowing, with the car
in 1995 when it used the same phrase to launchwearing slick tyres it will reach 60 in 2.5 seconds
its F50 model, creating such a road car is easierand hit a top speed of 205 mph, with a low
said than done. However anyone whodownforce set up on the front and rear wings.
encountered a T1 on the public road with itsThese figures are all the more astonishing when
enormous rear wing, open cockpit and overheadyou consider that the T1 has all of the requisite
air box could be forgiven for thinking they werefeatures including wing mirrors, number plates,
actually at the Monaco Grand Prix.indicator and car headlight bulbs, that allow it to be
The key to the Caparo's success is its lightweightused completely legally on public roads.
design, as the lighter you can make a car the