The BAC Mono R takes the brand’s road-legal, single-seater formula to the next level, with more power and less weight
Sitting in almost a category of its own since its 2011 inception, the single-seater, road-going BAC Mono has become somewhat of a legend in the track car space. Shown for the first time at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the new Mono R takes it to the next level.
Described as a ‘Gen2’ car, the Mono R comes with a fettled engine for more power, a reduction in weight and tweaks throughout for a more refined, and undoubtedly more exhilarating, driving experience on both the road and track.
Under the carbonfibre skin sits a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, co-developed with Mountune to produce 340bhp, up 35bhp on the previous car. An increased cylinder bore size and reduced crankshaft stroke sit amongst other tweaks to help it earn it the title of ‘world’s most power dense naturally aspirated, road-legal engine’ (136bhp per litre). Another impressive stat is the increase in its red line, taking it from 7800rpm to a near LFA-matching 8800. An all-new drive-by-wire throttle body and cylinder head system also help to make it more responsive.
Not only does the Mono R produce more power, it has less weight too. Some 25kg have been dropped from the total figure, thanks to the use of new graphene-enhanced carbon body panels, new carbon-ceramic brakes, a titanium exhaust system, lighter AP Racing brake calipers and a carbon floor. Do the maths and you’ll find that its 555kg kerb weight and 340bhp output makes for a 612bhp-per-ton power-to-weight ratio, exceeding that of the McLaren P1 and almost matching the Ferrari LaFerrari. As you can probably imagine, such a power-to-weight number means impressive performance: 0-100kph comes in just 2.5sec, a healthy 0.3sec improvement on the previous car, and top speed remains at 273kph.
Design remains recognisably BAC, but the brand does claim that 44 carbon parts have seen updates for added aggression and better aerodynamic efficiency. A sharknose front end adds aggression, with the main beam LED lights mounted centrally to allow for a reduction in frontal area. A Formula 1-style ram-air inlet system can also be found behind the driver’s head, and the front arches, side pods and rear wing have also received tweaks for better performance.
Other differences include a 20mm reduction in ride height, 25mm increase in length, a larger, lower fuel tank for better weight distribution, the addition of two-way Öhlins adjustable dampers, and tweaked suspension geometry for reduced pitch under braking, better traction and more. Custom Pirelli Trofeo R tyres are also fitted as standard.
Inside, owners have the same ability to customise the interior to their liking as before – a new, lighter carbon steering wheel is also included, and carbon interior side panels are available as an option.
If you’d like to get your hands on one, you’re out of luck. All 30 units have already been sold to existing Mono owners. Pricing hasn’t been disclosed.
This article originally appeared at evo.co.uk
Copyright © evo UK, Dennis Publishing
