Prodrive P2
Encyclopedia
The Prodrive P2 is a prototype two-seater sports car designed, engineered and built by Prodrive
at its Banbury
and Warwick
sites. The car is based on the platform of the Subaru R1
kei car
and has a modified Subaru Impreza WRX STi
engine along with many Prodrive systems originally designed for their World Rally Championship and Sports Car Racing programmes. The car's styling was done by Peter Stevens, who also designed the McLaren F1
. The car includes rally-inspired
anti-lag
to prevent turbo lag, as well as an active center and active rear differential that maximizes grip.
A fully working car has been built, and was tested on the TV motoring programme Top Gear
— it had 345 bhp, obtained a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds, a top speed of 174 mi/h, and had a Power Lap of 1:24.3, beating such cars as the TVR Sagaris
, Audi R8, BMW M5
and Aston Martin Vanquish. It also made Jeremy Clarkson
vomit after driving around a circle of cones extremely rapidly to demonstrate its computer-controlled differential system's anti-understeer capabilities.
The car's active rear differential automatically shifts torque to whichever of the rear wheels needs it most during manoeuvering, based on spin-slip sensor readings; this is a common rally-car technology rarely seen on road cars. Prodrive has claimed that the car could retail for around £40,000, but has said there are no plans to put the car into production at present.
Prodrive
Prodrive is a British motorsport and automotive engineering group based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. It designs, constructs and races cars for companies and teams such as Subaru, Aston Martin and Ford...
at its Banbury
Banbury
Banbury is a market town and civil parish on the River Cherwell in the Cherwell District of Oxfordshire. It is northwest of London, southeast of Birmingham, south of Coventry and north northwest of the county town of Oxford...
and Warwick
Warwick
Warwick is the county town of Warwickshire, England. The town lies upon the River Avon, south of Coventry and just west of Leamington Spa and Whitnash with which it is conjoined. As of the 2001 United Kingdom census, it had a population of 23,350...
sites. The car is based on the platform of the Subaru R1
Subaru R1
The Subaru R1 was introduced by the Japanese carmaker Subaru on January 4, 2005. It was designed to fit within the Japanese kei car tax bracket.The R1 is a two-door version of the Subaru R2, but with a shorter body and wheelbase...
kei car
Kei car
Kei cars, K-cars, or , are a Japanese category of small vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, and pickup trucks. They are designed to comply with Japanese government tax and insurance regulations, and in most rural areas are exempted from the requirement to certify that adequate parking is...
and has a modified Subaru Impreza WRX STi
Subaru Impreza WRX STI
The Subaru Impreza WRX STI, has the highest trim in the Subaru Impreza compact car line, produced by Japanese automaker Subaru.In the late 1980s, Subaru created the Subaru Tecnica International division to coordinate development for the FIA World Rally Championship and other motorsports activities...
engine along with many Prodrive systems originally designed for their World Rally Championship and Sports Car Racing programmes. The car's styling was done by Peter Stevens, who also designed the McLaren F1
McLaren F1
The McLaren F1 is a supercar designed and manufactured by McLaren Automotive. Originally a concept conceived by Gordon Murray, he convinced Ron Dennis to back the project and engaged Peter Stevens to design the exterior of the car...
. The car includes rally-inspired
World Rally Car
World Rally Car is a term used to describe racing automobiles built to the specification set by the FIA, the international motorsports governing body, and used to compete in the outright class of the World Rally Championship...
anti-lag
Anti-lag
An anti-lag system is a system used on turbocharged engines to minimize turbo lag.- Overview :ALS was first used in the early days of turbocharged cars in Formula One racing circa mid to late 1980s, until fuel restrictions made its use unsuitable...
to prevent turbo lag, as well as an active center and active rear differential that maximizes grip.
A fully working car has been built, and was tested on the TV motoring programme Top Gear
Top Gear (current format)
Top Gear is a British television series about motor vehicles, primarily cars. It began in 1977 as a conventional motoring magazine show. Over time, and especially since a relaunch in 2002, it has developed a quirky, humorous style...
— it had 345 bhp, obtained a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds, a top speed of 174 mi/h, and had a Power Lap of 1:24.3, beating such cars as the TVR Sagaris
TVR Sagaris
The TVR Sagaris is a sports car designed and built by the British manufacturer TVR in their factory in Lancashire.The Sagaris made its debut at the MPH03 Auto Show in 2003. The pre-production model was then shown at the 2004 Birmingham Motorshow. In 2005 the production model was released for public...
, Audi R8, BMW M5
BMW M5
The first BMW M5, based on the E28 5 Series, made its debut at Amsterdam Motor Show in February 1984. It was the product of demand for an automobile with the carrying capacity of a saloon , but the overall performance of a sports car. It utilized the 535i chassis and an evolution of the engine from...
and Aston Martin Vanquish. It also made Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Charles Robert Clarkson is an English broadcaster, journalist and writer who specialises in motoring. He is best known for his role on the BBC TV show Top Gear along with co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May...
vomit after driving around a circle of cones extremely rapidly to demonstrate its computer-controlled differential system's anti-understeer capabilities.
The car's active rear differential automatically shifts torque to whichever of the rear wheels needs it most during manoeuvering, based on spin-slip sensor readings; this is a common rally-car technology rarely seen on road cars. Prodrive has claimed that the car could retail for around £40,000, but has said there are no plans to put the car into production at present.