PRODRIVE P2 supercar

[Landshark]

Prodrive boss David Richards says his firm’s P2 sports car has proved its engineering abilities – even though the Banbury-based operation has no plans to put the two-seater into production.

The P2, which is scheduled to make its first public appearance at this weekend’s Autosport International Racing Car Show in Birmingham, is based on Subaru running gear. The size of an MGF, its 345bhp tweaked Impreza engine propels it to 174mph and from 0-60mph in just 3.8 seconds. The car also features Prodrive’s own anti-lag and active torque dynamics systems.

Richards says the project, which only received the green light in March, has been a rewarding exercise for his staff. ‘One of the P2 team’s biggest achievements, apart from meeting the schedule, has been making a car that looks right, despite all of today’s limitations,’ said Richards. ‘I’ve learned a lot about the constraints on designers in this process.’

The Peter Stevens-styled P2 is set to start testing in February but Richards insists there are no plans for a production run. ‘The idea of the P2, apart from showcasing our engineering abilities, was to demonstrate to the staff what they can achieve when they are pulling together on one project,’ he said. ‘I’m confident it has achieved that.’

[SilverSpear]

Frankly? I don't like it. Especially the front end.

[Landshark]

Originally Posted by SilverSpear

Frankly? I don't like it. Especially the front end.

its not pretty, but it goes like a raped ape!

[SilverSpear]

Originally Posted by Landshark

its not pretty, but it goes like a raped ape!

Of course performance is unquestionable, it is a small lighweight car with a big engine

[Phil Hill]

Saw the car "in the metal" so to speak at the Autosport show yesterday (the joys of knowing people in the trade !!), both Peter Stevens and David Richards were there looking very pleased with themselves !!

The "regular" Subaru stand was next door to Prodrive, and to be fair they looked a bit like the bride's maid......... Although I really like the Bridgestone Potenza RE070's fitted on the latest model Imprezzas........

The press and trade were round the P2 like flies round the perverbial......... Front headlamps look a bit of a lash-up, and there are a couple of other aspects which need finalising, but overall a nice looking thing.

Although there are "no plans to go into production" there has been a price of "around £40K" bandied about, although I doubt if they could make it for that kind of money.

I have to say it looks quite the package, and when my mate with the camera sends me the pics I'll post them if you're interested.

[mbtoloczko]

I'd take it as a daily driver.

[Landshark]

Originally Posted by SilverSpear

Of course performance is unquestionable, it is a small lighweight car with a big engine

yeah, the ENORMOUS 2.5L four cylinder engine.

this little thing gets to 60mph as fast as the Carrera GT with a 610hp V-10, so i'd say its impressive.

[n00b on demand]

wow that thing looks amazing

[Chiketkd]

Looks amazing!

Is that a black powder-coated alloy intake manifold - or one of the plastic intake manifold's found in the '05+ LGT?

-Chike

[Landshark]

Originally Posted by Chiketkd

Is that a black powder-coated alloy intake manifold - or one of the plastic intake manifold's found in the '05+ LGT?

looks like the STi one in black, considering its using a tweaked STi engine.

the LGT manifold looks a little different.

[Earthworm]

They need to get that thing on Top Gear and let the Stig take it around their track!

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by Earthworm

They need to get that thing on Top Gear and let the Stig take it around their track!

Amen!

-Chike

[AppStateSVX]

wow, I love that. The styling is a lil Audi-ish, but that isn't a bad thing