Automotive

VUHL slims down and muscles up with 05RR roadster

VUHL slims down and muscles up with 05RR roadster
The VUHL 05RR premieres at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed
The VUHL 05RR premieres at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed
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VUHL prepares to debut the 05RR
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VUHL prepares to debut the 05RR
The 05RR includes a new rear wing
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The 05RR includes a new rear wing
VUHL 05RR premiere at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed
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VUHL 05RR premiere at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed
The EcoBoost engine works with a six-speed sequential gearbox
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The EcoBoost engine works with a six-speed sequential gearbox
VUHL 05RR premiere at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed
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VUHL 05RR premiere at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed
VUHL 05RR premiere at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed
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VUHL 05RR premiere at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed
VUHL 05RR premiere at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed
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VUHL 05RR premiere at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed
The debut 05RR includes carbon fiber wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires
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The debut 05RR includes carbon fiber wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires
The 05RR gains power and improved aerodynamics and loses weight
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The 05RR gains power and improved aerodynamics and loses weight 
VUHL 05RR premiere at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed
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VUHL 05RR premiere at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed
VUHL 05RR premiere at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed
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VUHL 05RR premiere at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed
VUHL 05RR premiere at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed
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VUHL 05RR premiere at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed
The 05RR weighs 1,411 lb
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The 05RR weighs 1,411 lb
VUHL 05RR premiere at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed
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VUHL 05RR premiere at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed
0-62 mph: 2.7 seconds
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0-62 mph: 2.7 seconds
A faster, more powerful VUHL
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A faster, more powerful VUHL
VUHL describes the 05RR as a road-legal track car
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VUHL describes the 05RR as a road-legal track car
VUHL saves weight with carbon fiber bodywork
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VUHL saves weight with carbon fiber bodywork
Like the standard 05, the 05 RR has no top
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Like the standard 05, the 05 RR has no top
The VUHL 05RR premieres at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed
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The VUHL 05RR premieres at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed
The VUHL 05RR tops out around 160 mph
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The VUHL 05RR tops out around 160 mph
View gallery - 21 images

Three years ago, Mexican automotive startup VUHL revealed a quick, minimalistic roadster called the 05. At this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, VUHL takes its car to the next level. The 05RR loses weight, gains 100 bhp, and becomes even quicker, faster and more exciting all around.

Anytime you hear about a car losing weight while simultaneously gaining power, you know good things are to come in the "performance" section of the spec sheet. VUHL has shaved off the pounds, dropping the 05RR down to 1,411 lb (640 kg) dry (from the 05's 1,532 lb/695 kg). Elements like the hybrid aluminum-carbon monocoque, carbon fiber bodywork and carbon fiber wheels contribute to that slim figure.

In terms of power, the 05RR relies on a larger 2.3-liter EcoBoost to develop up to 385 bhp and 369 lb-ft, a full 100 bhp and 59 lb-ft more than the 05. That leaves the 05RR with a highly impressive power-weight ratio just over 600 bhp-per-tonne.

The VUHL 05RR tops out around 160 mph
The VUHL 05RR tops out around 160 mph

Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, a high-speed steering rack, and a revised aero package with full-width rear wing and F1-style diffuser strakes help that power find effective use on the track. The car is capable of hitting 62 mph (100 km/h) from standstill a full second quicker than its less-powerful older brother, achieving the mark in 2.7 seconds. Acceleration tops off at 160 mph (257 km/h).

The Festival of Speed is now underway and runs through Sunday. The 05 went on sale in the UK recently for a base price of £59,995 (about US$89,809). It's available through Bespoke Performance, which is supporting VUHL at Goodwood. VUHL hasn't yet come clean on how much the 05RR treatment will add to that price.

Source: VUHL

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1 comment
1 comment
Arahant
I bet its a blast to drive. I wish these things could be abit cheaper though, 90k I could buy alot of really nice cars for, or rather there is a large selection in that price range. I don't think its a bad deal, it seems to be kinda roughly what these types of cars are going for. Although I think an ariel atom might actually be cheaper.
The car looks good though, specs are good, I'm sure it would be incredible to drive.