Zenos Cars launches its E10 sports car at Autosport International 2014

At Autosport International 2014 Zenos Cars unveiled its E10 sports car. The company, co-founded by Ansar Ali and Mark Edwards, who previously were CEO and COO respectively of Caterham Cars, specialises in the design, manufacture and retail of ultra-lightweight razor sharp handling sports cars. The E10, priced at £24,995 (including VAT), is the first of three models to be introduced by the company over the next 5 years.

During Ali’s and Edward’s time successfully leading Caterham through a recession and then taking it into F1, and prior to that their time at Lotus Cars, they have observed increasing vehicle weights, higher entry prices, escalating repair costs and distant customer relationships; all this leading to the needs and wants of the true driving enthusiast being increasingly overlooked. So Zenos Cars intends to deliver thrilling, engaging and affordable lightweight sports car experiences that go beyond simply driving a car; the driver, the customer, the enthusiast, the supporter will be at the heart of everything that it does. The Zenos principle is to design, assemble and retail high performance, ultra-lightweight and affordable sports cars, courtesy of intelligent vehicle engineering, efficient material technology, the application of ‘form from function’ design and the adoption of a direct Customer Intimate sales and marketing approach.

The E10 – available in both RHD and LHD – is a road legal track focused step-in two seater with Elise type proportions. A 200hp mid-mounted transverse naturally aspirated 2.0-litre Ford GDI engine drives the rear wheels. It has high revving benefits courtesy of an over square engine configuration and with variable cam timing delivers power and torque characteristics that are appropriate for both track and road use. A range of transmissions and final drives have also been selected to match the various outputs developed for the engine package. With a kerb weight of 650kg a power to weight ratio of 300hp per tonne has been achieved; thus top speed is c.135 mph and 0 to 60mph is covered in less than 5 seconds.

“The Zenos E10 is a road legal track focused step-in two seater with Elise type proportions”

The low vehicle mass is achieved thanks to the integration of a single ‘backbone’ aluminium extrusion with a carbon composite monocoque; this architecture delivers optimal torsional rigidity, and by utilising recycled carbon fibre with a novel thermoplastic core for the tub material, the Zenos platform delivers world class mechanical efficiency without the production – and replacement – costs normally associated with carbon-based supercars. Keeping to the theme of affordability, the front suspension connects directly to the front of the spine/backbone – minimising cost and mass – whilst the engine is encased in a rear extruded sub-frame that is removable to facilitate assembly and in-field repairs. Given the performance of the car, driver and passenger safety is paramount: a fully encased steel safety cell comprising of twin roll-hoops and side-impact bars is integrated within the carbon monocoque.

The E10 has been designed from the driver out so simplicity and functionality is the order of the day. The cockpit’s ergonomics accommodate persons ranging from 5’1” (155cm) to 6’3” (191cm) in height with both driver and passenger seated in bespoke Zenos seats. The E10’s driver focus is further accentuated with a visual display directly behind the steering wheel that communicates essential driving information, whilst in the middle of the dash is another larger screen that will include a choice of road or track data display.

The versatility, low investment demand and flexibility of the Zenos composite platform architecture has attracted considerable interest; indeed, the product research and development was supported by a grant from the Niche Vehicle Network’s R&D programme; an industry group for specialist UK vehicle manufacturers.

To celebrate the unveiling of the E10 at AIS 2014, the first 75 build orders for the company will be an E10 Launch Edition which is available for £28,995 (including VAT) and includes a 6 speed gear box, limited slip differential, Zenos composite seats, 4 point race harness, quick release steering wheel, performance wheel pack and special paint as standard. Production of the Zenos E10 Launch Edition will start in late 2014 and customer deliveries in early 2015.

Please visit www.zenoscars.com or contact Ansar Ali at press@zenoscars.com or on +44 (0) 1953 859139 for more information.