|
Price |
|
£29,495 |
Production |
|
-- |
|
Engine |
2
liter inline-4 |
Weight |
1550
lbs |
|
Aspiration |
turbocharged |
Torque |
236
lb-ft @ 2400 rpm |
|
HP |
250
hp |
HP/Weight |
6.2
lbs per hp |
|
HP/Liter |
125
hp |
1/4 mile |
11.8
seconds |
|
0-60 mph |
under 4 seconds |
Top Speed |
165
mph |
(from Jetream Press
Release) JETSTREAM'S EXTREME SC250 LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTSCAR
REVS INTO PRODUCTION
New British sportscar
manufacturer Jetstream breaks into the lightweight sportscar market
with their SC250 model that couples a totally unique and striking
look in terms of styling with substantial performance credentials.
The mid-engined, rear wheel drive road-legal two seater SC250 is now
in production after completing an extensive testing programme,
following the unveiling of the prototype at the Autosport
International Show at Birmingham's NEC back in January.
Lurking under the engine
cover of the SC250 is the same 2.0 litre Ecotec Turbo Twin-Cam
16-valve powerplant and smooth six-speed transmission that appears
in the Vauxhall Astra VXR, producing 250bhp as standard. The engine
can be run on either unleaded or bio-ethanol – the latter fuel
increasing performance by around 10%. With the SC250 weighing in at
a mere 700kg (1,550lb), an astonishing power-to-weight ratio of
357bhp-per-tonne (2.8kg/bhp) is achieved, propelling the car from
0-60mph (0-96km/h) in under 4 seconds and to a maximum speed of
165mph (265km/h). A quarter of a mile run from a standing start
takes just 11.8 seconds. The car's torque is also impressive, with
236lb/ft (320Nm) generated @ 2,400rpm. For a car of this
performance, a combined unleaded fuel economy of 38mpg (13.4kpl)
ensures running costs are not excessive.
The performance figures
aren't the only impressive features that make the SC250 a real
driver's car - the whole package has been designed and engineered to
deliver the optimum high performance experience behind the wheel,
whether on the road or driving to the limit on a track.
Fundamental to the
SC250's creation was the extensive use of advanced CAD (Computer
Aided Design) and CAS (Computer Aided Simulation) software. Using 3D
modelling to develop the original design within the SolidWorks
package, this was then stress analysed using the Cosmos software
programme. Simulation software was then used to create any driving
situation Jetstream desired and – crucially – was used to compare
the SC250‟s performance against rival cars. The resulting data meant
Jetstream could predict accurate reactions when the prototype was
built. At the beginning of 2008, the SC250 began extensive physical
testing - at venues including Donington Park and Dunsfold Park
circuits - to the ensure dynamics, handling and reliability of the
car were as predicted. The testing was extremely successful and
ensured that the car would be ready for production.
The extreme styling of
the SC250 was penned originally by Brian Rossi, formerly of Ford,
who was responsible for designs such as the “Retro” Ford Thunderbird
launched in 2002. The revolutionary look of the car is as functional
as it is striking. It was created to be as aerodynamic as possible
to balance grip, traction and straight-line speed, with the radical
hard edges and flat surfaces making the SC250 stand out strongly
against its rivals.
The lightweight, hand produced composite body is coupled to an
aluminium monocoque chassis with steel sub-frames front and rear.
Side impact safety is aided by the honeycomb monocoque side panels
that also benefit the car's rigidity by eliminating any “flexing” of
the structure.
Specially designed
suspension ensures premium handling regardless of speed and
road/track conditions. Both front and rear suspension consist of
unequal length wishbones with fixed coil over shocks supplied by
Netherlands-based Intrax, the company owned by Henk Thuis who was
formerly Michael Schumacher's suspension guru at Benetton F1, with
the front mounted inboard with push rod activation.
Stopping power is
impressive and the Tilton twin brake system features balance bar
bias adjustment and ventilated 285mm front discs, with 278mm rear
discs and standard General Motors calipers. An optional upgrade is
available to a 4-pot caliper brake package from AP Racing.
Lightweight 16 inch
alloy wheels on the front and 17 inch on the rear from Team Dynamics
coupled with the exceptional grip from Toyo Proxes tyres enhance the
SC250's handling, with road legal track tyres available as an
option.
The engine management
system is controlled by an Emerald ECU and includes two settings
–Standard (general road use) and Sports (track).
The twelve paint colours
available, ranging from „Cornish Gold" to „Rossi Red", are exclusive
to Jetstream and are produced at MIPA‟s laboratory in Germany. They
are water based, which means they are not only environmentally more
friendly but provide a better finish and are much easier to touch up
than standard automotive paints such as cellulose .
The precisely built
interior cabin is designed to complement the driving experience. The
custom moulded composite seats – available in two sizes - are
upholstered in high-grade vinyl and can even be customised. The
driver's seat is horizontally adjustable so whether the driver is
tall or short, they will be able to sit comfortably in the SC250. A
Willans 4 point harnesses is standard, with a 5-point version as an
option, ensuring maximum security for the driver and passenger in
addition to ensuring stability when performance driving. To improve
the comfort factor even more, customers can request Alcantara and
leather upholstery as an option when customising their car.
The digital and analogue
dash display is from SPA and is programmable to add features
depending on a driver's specific requirements.
The SC250 has also been
designed to suit all year round usage with the addition of a
water-fed heating system. A power point for an iPod, mobile phone or
GPS system is provided as standard.
The practicalities of
owning the SC250 are also more beneficial than many similar cars.
Using parts from General Motors/Vauxhall, it can be serviced at
almost any garage, with most parts freely available. The composite
body panels are held in stock by Jetstream and can be sprayed to
match a customers car as required – avoiding unnecessary delays in
waiting for a specialist body shop to „patch and match".
Jetstream"s technical
director John Donnelly, whose career spans from Formula One to High
Performance Replica Cars and was responsible for much of the SC250's
engineering, comments: “The first factor people notice about the car
is the styling – it's a refreshing and innovative design that is
unlike anything else on the market, so it's totally unique. The
styling also serves a real technical purpose as its aerodynamic
features were designed to aid road holding. In terms of driving
experience, we wanted to ensure no stone was left unturned and we
feel the result will appeal to drivers who really want to feel part
of the car, whether on track or on the road.”
Donnelly explains that
the technical team involved in production also benefits Jetstream's
production capabilities: “We've developed a strong team, from design
through to production. Our laminating department, for instance,
consists of craftsmen who honed their skills as part of the luxury
yacht building industry for which the local area is famous, so the
care and exacting standards they integrate into their work and the
quality they produce is second to none. Additionally we plan to
bring in local apprentices, via an agreement with Cornwall College,
to the automotive engineering industry which brings in fresh
thinking, which will aid future projects.”
Cars are now being built
at Jetstream Sportscars 14,000 sq.ft. production HQ in Cornwall and
take 6-8 weeks to build, with timing dependent on each customers
required specification. Jetstream plan to manufacture 50 cars over
the next year, with an uprated 300bhp version of the SC250 planned
for early 2009.
Price is £29,495 OTR and
includes a full 12 month parts and labour warranty subject to
conditions, excluding any optional extras, which include a „Gull
Wing" style door hard top.
