Caparo two seater road-track prototype - 500 kg, 500 bhp

The first ever Caparo T1, the world’s most exclusive prototype high performance road and track car, will premiere at the world’s most prestigious motoring event: the Top Marques show in Monaco. The dramatic 1,000bhp-per-tonne T1, which defines an entirely new breed of supercar that is lighter than a Caterham but with twice the power-to-weight ratio of a Bugatti Veyron, will be unveiled at the show by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II. The ultra lightweight T1, which weighs less than 500kg, is a British designed 2-seater which has been developed using aerospace and high formula racing technology. The compact Caparo V8 engine develops approximately 500bhp and the resultant 1,000bhp-per-tonne power-to-weight ratio endows the T1 with an extraordinary 0-60mph time of 2.5 seconds, 0-100mph time of 5 seconds and 0-100-0mph time of less than 10 seconds making it the world’s fastest accelerating and braking road car. It is also fast round corners with 3g braking and cornering ability equivalent to a Le Mans Prototype.

This exclusive preview of the first prototype T1 forms a significant centrepiece for the show, which is being held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte-Carlo in the heartland of one of the world's most glamorous locations and centres of motoring heritage. The presentation of the aerodynamically formed supercar will be witnessed by Angad Paul chief executive of Caparo plc together with Caparo Vehicle Technologies’ design director Ben Scott-Geddes and engineering director Graham Halstead, the two ex-McLaren engineers whose inspiration helped create the car.

The T1’s high power-to-weight ratio delivers phenomenal performance on the track. Similarly, the same principles of lightweight design in a car one-third the weight of the average family saloon combined with a normal 15 gallon (70-litre) fuel tank means a range better than the average car of up to 500 miles (800km) on public highways. And that is sufficient to tackle seven hours of driving from London to Le Mans, a distance of 338 miles (544km), without refuelling, before putting in a blistering performance on the circuit.

Commenting on the mould-breaking Caparo T1 Angad Paul said: "This car is in a class of its own when it comes to overall performance; but it also addresses in the most dramatic way possible fundamental design issues facing the automotive industry today. The same approach to aerodynamics, choice of materials and efficient design, which have allowed us to achieve the world’s most reasonably priced supercar, can be applied in equal measure to create affordable, safe, yet lightweight, fuel-efficient family cars."

This will be the first time that Caparo Vehicle Technologies has exhibited at any event. The stunning T1 was created to demonstrate the company’s ability to design and manufacture the world’s first 1,000bhp-per-tonne road and track car, whose performance is close to that of a formula one racer. More than a concept, this ultra high performance car is designed for low volume production to underscore the company’s technical know-how and competence in whole vehicle design. With deposits already being taken the hand built car will be available to the first customers later this year.

Event director Robert Evans said: "We are delighted to welcome the Caparo T1 to the Top Marques show in Monaco where up to 10,000 high net worth collectors and enthusiasts, together with 120 journalists and television crews from around the world, will view an amazing mix of luxury cars and rare supercars at this prestigious motoring event. The T1 is a truly exceptional car and its groundbreaking approach will appeal not only to our VIP visitors but also mainstream automotive engineers facing the enormous challenge of how to stop cars from getting heavier and heavier with each new generation."

Caparo has confirmed that it will present the T1 prototype for the duration of the show, which runs from Thursday 20 April to Sunday 23 April 2006 in the week following Easter. Some of the most exclusive car brands in the world will feature at the show with manufacturers present from around the globe.

As well as opening the show and unveiling the Caparo T1, Prince Albert will officially bestow his high patronage by hosting a gala dinner for 450 wealthy, titled and influential VIPs where a substantial amount of the proceeds will be donated to some of the Prince’s charities.