Caparo T1 prototypes completed

Caparo Vehicle Technologies has built the first two production prototypes of its Caparo T1 road car. Completion of the "XP1" prototypes marks the beginning of a rigorous test program before production cars can be built and delivered to customers early next spring. The shake-down will include engine mapping and other specific tests as well as long-term durability and high speed trials.

A second prototype — the XP2 — is expected to be completed before Christmas and will similarly be tested for durability and performance. The highly experienced professional race driver Chris Goodwin will help to evaluate both vehicles for their all-important handling characteristics and dynamic performance on the track.

I thought it had a roof.

maybe its a hard top?

The aero screen/canopy is optional.

[QUOTE=Mr.Tiv]I thought it had a roof.[/QUOTE]
It would have to be removable, otherwise you wouldn't be able to get in. The roof to my knowledge was basically a glass dome. Personally I think it's no loss if it doesn't have a roof ... less weight, more performance :)

[QUOTE=:Exige:]It would have to be removable, otherwise you wouldn't be able to get in. The roof to my knowledge was basically a glass dome. Personally I think it's no loss if it doesn't have a roof ... less weight, more performance :)[/QUOTE]
Shouldn't it have leass drag with the roof on it; in my opinion it is better looking with the canopy or roof or what have you.

Less aerodynamic, not as cool :p

i don't see how jeremy clarkson will be able to test it on top gear, considering how small the cockpit is. Can't wait to see the production car

Wouldn't it be less rigid if it had no top?

Not neccessairly. If it was designed to have a removable roof it can still be just as stiff. Though of course the roof would allow extra chassis stiffness

[QUOTE=2ndclasscitizen]Not neccessairly. If it was designed to have a removable roof it can still be just as stiff. Though of course the roof would allow extra chassis stiffness[/QUOTE]
From what i can gather based on pictures, the roof, on this car, doesn't affect the rigidity of the chasis, it just slides on. Theorectically having an integrated roof would make it stiffer, but, as mentioned before, you couldn't get in.

It looks nice already. Hopefully all the testing will go well.

the center of gravity on this car is so low and the structure is such that a roof wouldn't help it be much stiffer. Also remember that the effect of chassis rigidity on handling is proportional to weight, so losing the roof could effectively increase the stiffness assuming that the roof doesn't help as a structural element. (Less Inertia/Mass means less torque on the chassis, hence less twisting.)

:eek: Holy Crap it's small!!!!

that thing is ugly

With the single-mindedness of this thing, rigidity is probably not going to be a problem.

It's all carbon monocoque... Monoqouc ... Mont Blanc? I don't know how to spell that stupid word...

Anyway, I'd imagine it's built with similar methods as a LeMans open prototype, and nobody ever complains about those lacking rigidity without a top.

Now, decaptiate a Camaro or Mustang... it's a different story.

I hope one of these finds its way onto the same track as an FXX someday. Would't that be a case of the scrappy underdog taking on old moneybags. Except the scrappy underdog would have a mere offshore bank account in Nassau rather than the far superior Swiss-managed funds of the FXX pilot.

Wacky Racers. What a world.

[QUOTE=sicilian973-2]that thing is ugly[/QUOTE]

It's still a prototype... read the post.;)

[QUOTE=sicilian973-2]that thing is ugly[/QUOTE]
I dig it.