New Elemental Rp1 Promises Race-Car Levels Of Downforce

As small British company Elemental prepares for the Rp1’s dynamic debut at Goodwood, more details about its motosport-inspired design were released.

Elemental has put the Rp1 through extensive testing in the MIRA wind tunnel in order to provide one of the most impressive aerodynamic packages in the market, with more than 400kg (882 lbs) of downforce generated at 150mph (250km/h) in standard road configuration.

“The geometry of the aerodynamics has been designed so that we wouldn’t need to use any upperbody spoilers or wings, which add incremental weight and drag,” said John Begley, Founder and Technical Director. “The Rp1’s exterior shape is smooth and aerodynamic in design already, but coupled with the front splitter plus front and rear diffusers, we were able to apply the highly efficient ground-effect principles by engineering this complete system underneath the car.”

Apart from aerodynamic wizardry, the new Elemental Rp1 is built upon the company’s patented CarbonAl tub that weighs only 65kg (143 lbs) and features a feet-up driving position, just like an F1 car and despite the car being road legal (at least on this side of the planet). Total weight is expected to be around 450kg (990lbs).

Power will come from a Ford 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine, tuned to produce 320hp, giving the Elemental Rp1 a power-to-weight ratio of 500hp per tonne. The company will also offer a version with the smaller, also Ford-sourced, turbocharged 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine with around 180hp on tap.

The new Elemental Rp1 will make its dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, with the first customer cars expected to be delivered later this year.