- The Nichols N1A was designed by former F1 engineer Steve Nichols.
- The British brand offers it with 6.2-liter and 7.0-liter V8 options.
- RML Group in the UK will handle production of the lightweight model.
Taking a design from prototype to full-scale production is incredibly difficult, but after a long gestation period, the UK now has its latest driver-focused sports car. Dubbed the Nichols N1A, it’s been in the works for more than four years and has just been presented in production guise.
Responsible for bringing it to life is Steve Nichols. He played a pivotal role in the engineering of Formula 1 icons like the McLaren MP4/1, MP4/3, and MP4/4, so he’s well-versed on what it takes to make a good machine. Global production of the N1A will be capped at fewer than 150 units.
The N1A, which takes visual inspiration from classic racers and is an open-top, uses a bonded aluminum-and-carbon-fiber chassis, complete with carbon-fiber body panels. It weighs less than 2,000 lbs (900 kg) and is offered with two engines.
The base option is a 6.2-liter naturally aspirated Chevy V8 with 475 hp and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm), while those seeking even more power can opt for a massive 7.0-liter naturally aspirated LS7 with 700 hp and 600 lb-ft (813 Nm).
Read: 650-HP Nichols Cars N1A Lightweight Supercar Is From the Man Who Introduced Carbon To F1
In its most potent form, the N1A can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.5 seconds. To ensure it’s the driver in control rather than a bunch of fancy electronics, it does without any aids and simply pairs a six-speed manual transmission with rear-wheel drive.
An Emphasis On Handling
The UK has a long and proud history of building remarkable, lightweight sports cars, and the N1A follows the same philosophy, not leaning on power alone. To that end, it includes independent front and rear suspension with double wishbones and four-way adjustable dampers. It also sits on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, 245-section width at the front and a chunky 305-section at the rear.
Nichols will build the N1A in partnership with RML Group, originally established as a British motorsport team in the 1980s, but which now also builds its own Porsche 911-based supercar. Prices for the standard N1A will start at £450,000 ($604,000), while the first 15 units will be the special Icon 88 edition, starting at £500,000 ($671,000), each celebrating one of the McLaren MP4/4’s race victories during the 1988 Formula One season.
