There was an article on this in EVO a few issues back, IIRC it was then in prototype stage and the handling was still under development. The styling was, erm interesting

Justin

 

Ok, so we all knew about it already, but good to see the project isn't dead!


A very fierce dolphin indeed

Delfino

A new sports car has surfaced to challenge Britain's best. The only thing that puzzles Rod Ker is its name
WHILE our home industry's record with large-scale car production looks suspect, we do rather better with small-volume sportsters. TVR is the shining example that comes to mind. Then there's Lotus, born and bred in Norfolk, even if these days the company is British with the accent on the "ish".


Lightweight composite construction aids Delfino's searing acceleration

Designed with the intention of carrying on where the Elise leaves off (in all senses), will the new Delfino Feroce secure a place in the sports car firmament? Having driven the prototype, I think there's every hope.

But first, although the car is designed and made here in Blighty, you'd be correct in thinking that the name - which translates as "fierce dolphin" - is about as English as Luciano Pavarotti. The vague Italian connection comes from Allard Marx, instigator of the project.

In appearance, the Delfino is actually more shark-like, with a touch of Stealth bomber thrown in. Start the engine and the likeness is more Wellington than Stealth, as a menacing bass rumble emerges from the twin tailpipes. Dare to blip the throttle and the Armageddon effect from behind is joined by a variety of other demonic sounds from the 2.0-litre turbocharged flat-four living in the nose.

No prizes, then, for guessing that the power source is of Subaru origin. In fact, the prototype uses Impreza Turbo mechanics: four-wheel drive, strut suspension and all. The bodyshell, however, is entirely different in structure and style, although there's definitely a hint of Subaru about the front end, especially in the large round driving lights and bonnet cooling duct.

Lightweight composite construction is Delfino's secret weapon, accounting for some truly amazing performance figures. With about 2,982lb to shift, Impreza Turbos are quick cars. With the same amount of power and only 2,000lb, the Feroce looks set to out-accelerate almost anything on the road.

Equipped with the full-house 275bhp engine, 0-60mph in less than 4 seconds and 0-100 in just over 10 are expected.

The test car had "only" 210 horsepower, but this is plenty to provide eyebrow-curling speed, backed up by a huge amount of traction - and terrific noise. Watch out, TVR! Yet steady cruising brings out the flip(per) side, when the car becomes surprisingly relaxed, long-legged and quiet.

So far, so good. It has to be remembered, though, that this is a prototype. The finished article will look similar and definitely have 4WD, 276bhp and staggering performance. But it might not have a Subaru powertrain. Two other engine donors are still in the frame, and it doesn't take a genius to work out which they are.

A subtly-expanded cabin is also on the agenda, which should make entry and exit over the wide sills of the composite monocoque chassis tub less of an acrobatic feat. Suspension is by MacPherson strut all round with anti-roll bars front and rear, and although there's no doubt that the Delfino grips in all directions, it still needs a little fine tuning.

The last hurdle will be establishing the name and convincing buyers that £39,500 would be better spent on a Delfino than on a Lotus, TVR, Caterham, Marcos, AC, Noble, Audi, BMW, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz or whatever. The competition is feroce...

 

Chuck,

Is this the same car Top Gear tested a few months ago? I think the car is made in Stafford and Tiff rated it very highly and said acceloration was in McLaren F1 league! Might replace the shell on my WRX (hee hee hee).