The recently launched Caparo T1 may already have met its match, and it comes from an unlikely source. New Zealand based Hulme Supercars Ltd. is planning to build an extreme race-car-for-the-road called the Hulme. Powered by a 5.0L V8 engine sourced from BMW, the Hulme develops 550 HP, but weighs in around 1175 kg, which is quite a bit more than the Caparo. The company hopes to begin production next year and claims it can build 25 cars a year. List price is an eye-watering £310,000 (US$620K).
Hulme Supercars states that the idea behind this car is to make it as close to a Formula 1 experience as possible, so the car comes with a mid-mounted engine and full carbon fiber construction. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and the car is RWD only with a LSD.
The company and car are named after Danny Hulme, who won the Can-Am championship almost 40 years ago. There are even plans to commemorate this with a Can-Am convertible version, as well as an engine designed more for American tastes. We’re not sure what they’re talking about, as big V8s from BMW are universally appealing.
