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There’s a philosophy in motorsport that’s as previous as racing itself: add lightness. Whereas some producers chase horsepower numbers like they’re gathering Pokémon playing cards, the actually enlightened souls know that shaving kilos off a chassis will be simply as intoxicating as including energy.
These featherweight monitor weapons show that once you strip away all the pieces pointless, you’re left with pure, unadulterated driving nirvana. The automobiles on this listing have taken weight discount to borderline obsessive ranges, tipping the scales at figures that might make a contemporary SUV’s spare tire really feel heavy. They’re the automotive equal of carbon fiber ballet dancers: swish, purposeful, and completely thrilling to observe in movement.
Whether or not by means of unique supplies, minimalist design, or simply plain engineering wizardry, these machines remind us that typically much less actually is extra.
Ariel Atom 4 – 1,433 lbs
The Ariel Atom appears to be like like somebody forgot to complete constructing it, and truthfully, that’s the whole level. This British-built missile dispenses with frivolous ideas like “physique panels” and “climate safety” to create one thing that feels extra like a street-legal curler coaster than a automobile.
At simply 1,433 kilos, it’s lighter than most bikes with sidecars, but packs as much as 320 horsepower from its Honda-sourced engine. The ability-to-weight ratio is totally bonkers – we’re speaking 0-60 mph in beneath 3 seconds for a automobile you’ll be able to technically drive to the grocery retailer. Certain, you’ll arrive with windswept hair and probably a number of bugs in your enamel, however you’ll be grinning like an absolute maniac.
The Atom proves that once you get rid of all the pieces besides the necessities, the necessities grow to be extraordinary.
Caterham Seven 620R – 1,213 lbs
The Caterham Seven has been making light-weight fanatics weak within the knees for the reason that Sixties, however the 620R takes the formulation to utterly ludicrous extremes. At 1,213 kilos, it weighs lower than a Sensible Fortwo, but produces 310 horsepower from its supercharged Ford Duratec engine.
This factor accelerates like physics forgot to indicate up for work that day – 0-60 mph occurs in simply 2.79 seconds, which is supercar territory from one thing that prices lower than a loaded pickup truck. The driving expertise is uncooked, unfiltered, and about as delicate as a megaphone at a library. You sit mere inches from the bottom with the entrance wheels virtually in your peripheral imaginative and prescient, feeling each pebble and imperfection within the street.
It’s uncomfortable, impractical, and completely superb in ways in which trendy automobiles have fully forgotten be.
KTM X-Bow GT-XR – 2,315 lbs
Austrian motorbike producer KTM determined to construct a automobile, and true to kind, they approached it with the identical “operate over all the pieces” mentality that makes their dust bikes legendary. The X-Bow GT-XR ideas the scales at 2,315 kilos, which sounds hefty in comparison with some entries right here till you bear in mind it’s a completely enclosed GT automobile with precise creature comforts. The carbon fiber monocoque chassis is the actual star, offering unimaginable rigidity whereas protecting weight in test.
Energy comes from a 2.5-liter Audi five-cylinder producing 493 horsepower, launching this factor to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. In contrast to the actually Spartan monitor toys, this one really has a roof, home windows, and local weather management, making it virtually civilized. It’s proof that you would be able to have your light-weight cake and eat it too, assuming you will have about $300,000 mendacity round.
Lotus Elise Sequence 3 – 2,028 lbs
Lotus founder Colin Chapman’s well-known mantra was “simplify, then add lightness,” and the Elise is principally that philosophy wrapped in fiberglass. At 2,028 kilos, it’s a masterclass in doing extra with much less, that includes a bonded aluminum chassis that’s each extremely sturdy and refreshingly gentle.
The bottom mannequin makes simply 217 horsepower from a Toyota-sourced engine, however when your automobile weighs as a lot as a decent-sized dust bike with a passenger, you don’t want a lot. The driving expertise is pure and communicative in ways in which trendy automobiles, with their nannies and assists, merely can’t replicate. Each enter is direct, each response quick, making even a visit to the ironmongery store really feel like a qualifying lap at Monaco.
Sadly, the Elise left the US market in 2011, however its affect on light-weight sports activities automobile design continues to echo by means of the trade.
BAC Mono R – 1,279 lbs
The BAC Mono R takes the single-seater idea and turns it right into a road-legal fighter jet simulator. At simply 1,279 kilos, this British trackday particular makes most bikes look portly by comparability. The carbon fiber building is obsessive, with even the suspension parts crafted from the unique materials to shave each doable ounce. Energy comes from a Mountune-tuned 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 343 horsepower, which in a automobile this gentle interprets to face-melting acceleration.
The sequential gearbox snaps off shifts with mechanical precision, whereas the pushrod suspension setup borrowed from Components racing gives dealing with that borders on telepathic. There’s no passenger seat, no storage, and completely no pretense about being something apart from a pure driving instrument. It’s automotive minimalism taken to its logical excessive, and the expertise is reportedly transcendent.
Radical SR10 – 1,962 lbs
Radical has been constructing street-legal race automobiles since earlier than it was cool, and the SR10 represents their most centered effort but. This factor is principally an LMP prototype that someway satisfied the DMV it deserves license plates. At 1,962 kilos, it’s featherlight for one thing packing a 440-horsepower RPE-built I4 engine that screams to eight,500 rpm. The carbon fiber bodywork wraps round a tubular metal chassis, creating one thing that appears quick simply sitting nonetheless.
On monitor, it might probably generate sufficient downforce to theoretically drive the other way up in a tunnel, although we don’t advocate testing that principle. The driving place is pure race automobile, together with your legs stretched out Components-style and the steering wheel inches out of your chest. You’ll be able to really drive this on the road, assuming your native roads can deal with one thing with suspension journey measured in millimeters.
Dallara Stradale – 1,874 lbs
When an Italian firm that’s been constructing race automobiles since 1972 decides to make a street automobile, it’s going to be particular. The Dallara Stradale weighs simply 1,874 kilos because of intensive use of carbon fiber for the chassis, physique, and principally all the pieces else they might handle.
The two.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produces 400 horsepower, however the actual celebration trick is the aerodynamics – this factor generates authentic downforce at road speeds. You’ll be able to choice it with an aero bundle that will increase downforce to ranges that might make a GT3 automobile jealous. Inside, it’s surprisingly civilized, with precise seats, controls that make sense, and even a good stereo system.
At round $250,000, it’s not precisely reasonably priced, however you’re primarily shopping for a Components automobile with license plates and air-con.
Vuhl 05RR – 1,532 lbs
This Mexican-built monitor weapon proves that light-weight engineering excellence isn’t restricted to Europe and Asia. The Vuhl 05RR weighs a mere 1,532 kilos whereas packing 385 horsepower from a Ford EcoBoost engine, leading to a power-to-weight ratio that embarrasses most supercars.
The carbon fiber and aluminum building is fantastically executed, with the open-wheel design giving it an aggressive, purposeful stance. What makes the Vuhl particular is its approachability – not like some monitor toys that require a racing license simply to begin, this one is surprisingly pleasant to enthusiastic amateurs. The steering is communicative with out being darty, the brakes are highly effective however progressive, and the entire bundle feels cohesive reasonably than compromised.
It’s handbuilt in Querétaro, giving it an unique backstory that almost all European monitor automobiles can’t match.
Donkervoort D8 GTO-JD70 – 1,543 lbs
The Dutch have given us Van Gogh, tulips, and apparently, completely psychological light-weight sports activities automobiles. The Donkervoort D8 GTO-JD70 weighs 1,543 kilos and produces as much as 415 horsepower from a 2.5-liter Audi five-cylinder engine. Sure, that’s the identical engine household that powers the Audi RS3, however tuned to ranges that might make manufacturing unit engineers nervous.
The result’s a 0-60 mph time of simply 2.7 seconds, which is genuinely absurd for one thing you’ll be able to drive on public roads. The carbon fiber bodywork is hand-laid, and every automobile takes months to finish of their small Dutch manufacturing unit. It’s principally a contemporary interpretation of the basic Lotus Seven formulation, cranked as much as 11 after which pushed a bit additional only for good measure.
The driving expertise is reportedly so intense that Donkervoort features a “Woman Mode” that reduces energy for passengers who would possibly discover the complete expertise a bit a lot.
Elemental RP1 – 1,100 lbs
The Elemental RP1 takes weight discount to virtually comical extremes, tipping the scales at simply 1,100 kilos. This British monitor particular makes use of intensive carbon fiber building and a minimalist philosophy that makes different light-weight automobiles look indulgent.
Energy comes from a 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost engine producing 320 horsepower in normal kind, although there’s a race model making 500 horsepower that’s absolutely some type of managed madness. The chassis is so superior it was really developed utilizing Components One building strategies, and the eye to element is obsessive. Each element is optimized for weight, from the titanium exhaust to the carbon fiber suspension parts.
On monitor, it apparently looks like driving a full-sized go-kart, with on the spot responses and grip ranges that appear to defy the modest tire widths. Manufacturing is restricted, and costs begin round $200,000, making this a really unique toy.
Morgan 3 Wheeler – 1,157 lbs
Depart it to the British to construct one thing that appears prefer it time-traveled from 1935 and someway make it probably the most entertaining autos on the street. The Morgan 3 Wheeler weighs simply 1,157 kilos and encompasses a V-twin motorbike engine mounted out entrance like some type of steampunk torpedo.
At 81 horsepower, it’s not profitable any drag races, however when your automobile weighs about as a lot as 4 passengers in a Suburban, you don’t want a lot. The driving expertise is splendidly absurd – you sit low and uncovered with the entrance wheels in your peripheral imaginative and prescient, feeling each vibration from that massive V-twin thrumming away. It’s impractical, uncomfortable on lengthy journeys, and completely charming in ways in which trendy automobiles merely can not replicate.
Sadly, manufacturing resulted in 2021, however these quirky three-wheelers stay on the spot dialog starters at any automobile meet.
Ultima RS – 2,138 lbs
The Ultima RS proves that you would be able to have authentic supercar efficiency with out the supercar weight penalty. At 2,138 kilos with a 1,200-horsepower twin-turbo V8 choice, this British-built monster delivers power-to-weight ratios that make Bugattis weep. The tubular metal house body chassis is surprisingly easy however extremely efficient, whereas the fiberglass physique retains weight in test with out resorting to costly carbon fiber.
What’s exceptional is that Ultima sells these as equipment automobiles, which means devoted fanatics can construct their very own for considerably lower than shopping for one thing comparable. On monitor, the RS is devastatingly quick, with potential prime speeds exceeding 250 mph in top-spec kind. The styling is aggressive and purposeful, if maybe not as refined as Italian exotics costing 5 instances as a lot.
It’s a reminder that typically the perfect method is protecting issues mechanically easy whereas obsessing over power-to-weight ratios.
Conclusion
These light-weight monitor weapons symbolize the purest expression of the less-is-more philosophy that fanatics have championed for many years. In an period the place the common new automobile weighs properly over 4,000 kilos and household SUVs tip the scales at three tons, these machines really feel virtually rebellious of their dedication to minimalism.
They show that driving pleasure doesn’t require a thousand horsepower or adaptive dampers with seventeen settings – typically it simply requires the braveness to strip away all the pieces pointless. Sure, they’re impractical, uncomfortable, and sometimes costly, however they ship driving experiences that stick with you lengthy after you’ve climbed out and tried to recollect how your legs work. Whether or not you like the open-air rawness of an Ariel Atom or the slightly-more-civilized method of a Dallara Stradale, these automobiles remind us why we fell in love with driving within the first place.
They’re not simply gentle – they’re enlightening.
