Filed under: Sports/GTs, UK
Pulp Fiction: Zolfe Orange comes back from the drawing board
Click above to view the Zolfe Orange in high resolution
Britain has a rich heritage in niche sportscars, but unfortunately for American customers, few of them end up making it over to the Colonies. The oddly-named Zolfe Orange, however, stands as a unique exception. We first reported on the Zolfe Orange two years ago, when it was set to enter production under Suzuki Hyabusa power. But a lack of space and other concerns sent the lightweight GT back to the drawing board, finally to re-emerge, and all the better for it.
The revised Zolfe Orange now incorporates Ford-sourced engines, starting with a 2.3-liter Duratec driving an entirely respectable 185 horsepower to the rear wheels via the Mazda MX-5's five-speed manual. More powerful engines, a six-speed manual or an available automatic, and a limited-slip differential will be offered, promising to deliver strong performance from the composite body draped over a spaceframe chassis that weighs 1543 pounds. The project is lead by Nic Strong of British Midlands plastics manufacturer Spatz Arlon and former Caterham engineering chief Jez Coates, benefiting from additional input from other cottage automakers through the Niche Vehicle Network. AP supplies the brakes, Avon the tires and the interior ergonomics were benchmarked against the Audi TT. Best of all, the first year's run of 30 vehicles are almost all earmarked for the American market, so if you've got £27,500 (approximately $42k in greenbacks) on hand and are looking for something a little different, the juicy little Orange may be your kinda squeeze
.
Gallery: Zolfe Orange
[Source: Zolfe]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Farris 2:33PM (1/08/2009)
The headlights and front end kinda remind me of 911-meets-240Z, and the back (on the post's picture) kinda reminds me of a BMW Z3.
If I had the cash, I think I'd go for it. It looks really nice, and sounds like it's got some oomph to go with it.
Reply
rob 10:12AM (1/09/2009)
Dodge Razor Concept car what?
http://www.allpar.com/model/concepts/dodge-razor.html
Come on.
firstplace 5:13PM (1/08/2009)
I see the 240z look. Its cool whatever it is. Rip out the weene engine and stick the mill from the S2000 in, or better yet a lancer evo.
Chubaka 8:16PM (1/08/2009)
Umm...what? This car doesn't look anything like the Dodge concept, unless you count the color...All the proportions and lines are different.
The first thing I thought about this car was 240Z. Until I saw the back; too toyish looking to me. Digging the front end though, as well as that remarkable curb weight. Price tag, not so much, but seeing as this is supposed to be a "niche sportscar", meh....
cirquo 2:33PM (1/08/2009)
It's a reincarnated Datsun, talk about rehash.
Reply
PJ 3:54PM (1/08/2009)
I'm seeing Ginetta. Love that 1,543 lb curb weight, though...
Level 4:37PM (1/08/2009)
or more like a reincarnated Datsun that was reincarnated from a Ferrar GTO lol
dukeisduke 5:11PM (1/08/2009)
It kinda looks like a cross between an old TVR (front) and a Lotus Elan (rear). Talk about derivative.
John A. 2:36PM (1/08/2009)
Datsun 240z meets Porsche 911, with an Opel GT bring up the rear.
Reply
BenS 2:43PM (1/08/2009)
Looks like someone has been playing w/ their Automoblox
Reply
Markona 2:47PM (1/08/2009)
That's the spritual successor to the 240Z and Opel GT, both of which I would love to have, only without their 70's quality problems.
I'd buy one!
Reply
Franz 2:53PM (1/08/2009)
Me too!
BRAVENRACE 2:48PM (1/08/2009)
Looks like a new version of my TVR 2500M. Nice!
Reply
esteva03 2:51PM (1/08/2009)
i like it and if i had te money i would buy it....
in another colour.
Vote for Autoblog!!!!! http://2008.weblogawards.org/polls/best-major-blog/
Reply
REDBLIND 2:58PM (1/08/2009)
I like it, but that front bumper would never pass us pedestrian impact regulations.
Reply
Sofa King Fast! 2:59PM (1/08/2009)
"so if you've got £27,500 (approximately $42k in greenbacks) on hand and are looking for something a little different, the juicy little Orange may be your kinda squeeze"
But if you already own a porsche Cayman don't bother because this is basically a blackmarket copy.
http://p.webwombat.com.au/motoring/car-photos/porsche-cayman-s-sport-1-big.jpg
Reply
BRAVENRACE 3:14PM (1/08/2009)
What? I don't really follow you on that logic. The Cayman is mid-engined, the Zolfe is front engined. The only thing they have in common is the color and that they are both sports cars.
Sofa King Fast! 3:32PM (1/08/2009)
What are you talking about?
This car and the Cayman are very similar
- Both cars have a horsepower figure that is about 1/10th their weight
- Both cars have a starting price around $50,000
- Both cars are two seat sports cars
- Both cars look like a porsche cayman
BRAVENRACE 4:08PM (1/08/2009)
For this to be a "Copy" of a Cayman, I'm thinking the engine should at least be in the same place. Plus, just my opinion, but I don't think it looks any more like a Cayman (and probably less) than it does a 240Z or any number of TVR's.
BRAVENRACE 4:11PM (1/08/2009)
Just had another thought. How does a short rear/long hooded car look like a mid-engined car that is almost a cab forward design?
And blackmarket? What's blackmarket about it? Nothing that I read indicated anything like that.