Scooby Power for New V-Storm Variant
Posted by Madabout News on Monday, December 15th, 2008 at 03:24 PM |
 SDR Sportscars has just released news that development is well under way of a new variant of its existing V-Storm component car which will use turbocharged Subaru power!
For those not already familiar with the V-Storm, this car is the brainchild of Simon Dickens, proprietor of SDR Sportscars. The car is based around the increasingly familiar theme of the exo-skeleton type chassis, though it has a number of features which set it apart from the other offerings. The most obvious of which is the three seat cockpit layout which provides not only that single seater race car feel with a central driving position but also a surprising amount of room for the two passengers in a very compact overall package.
The car innovates in other areas too. To achieve Simon’s aims he brought in automotive designer and engineer Simon Keys of First Principle Design to help realise his ideas. Together the two Simons developed a clever modular chassis concept, the entire rear section is a bolt on sub-assembly allowing different engine configurations to be quickly designed, developed and brought to market without starting a complete chassis from a clean sheet of paper. An additional benefit to customers is that they have the flexibility to update their existing cars as new installation options become available.
 SDR V-Storm to now have Subaru power
The first variant of the car which has already been delivered in kit form to a number of customers utilises the 1,000cc engine from an Aprilia RSV sports bike. An unusual choice but a clever one that suits the vehicle, the V-twin engine is dry-sumped as standard and has a characteristic punchy mid-range delivery that makes the car more tractable on the road than many other bike engined cars that use high revving, high power, but low torque four cylinder motors.
In fact the reaction from customers and specialist media alike to the fist V-Storm variant has been very positive. Adam Wilkins of Complete Kit Car said “there’s decent feedback too. The snappy, quick, close-to-hand sequential shift boosts the road racer experience” and of the build of the car “It’s a unique piece of design that benefits from fastidious development and excellent presentation”.
With a target weight of approximately 750kg, the performance of the new Subaru powered version with anything from 280bhp to 400+bhp, should be breath taking. The first car currently in build uses a tuned STi power unit with an estimated 310bhp to make a truly rapid car.
 CAD drawing showing Flat 4 Subaru engine
The V-Storm presents an outstanding performance to value ratio, with estimated self-build costs for the bike variant starting from around £13,500 and turn key cars from £17,500 depending on specification. Though the prices are yet to be set for the Subaru powered variant, it will command a slight premium over the bike powered car, whilst still representing outstanding value for money.
You can find out more about the V-Storm and SDR Sportscars at SDR Sports Cars or visit them at the Autosports show at the NEC in January.
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