Autoblog

First Drive: Deronda G400 - A race-bred exotic sports car

Michael Harley — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, First Drives, Specialty

Deronda G400 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Close your eyes and build the ultimate two-seat sports car. Start with a lightweight, tube-frame chassis and then add race-bred suspension and oversized brakes. Wrap the vehicle in an aero-inspired carbon fiber body shell, but keep the generous cockpit open for wind-in-your-hair enjoyment. Lastly, wedge a huge, torque-laden, tire-shredding engine into the middle of the chassis, and tune the exhaust note so it scares the gophers out of your neighbor's front lawn. Now, open your eyes and take a look at the Deronda G400.

We recently had an afternoon with this exceptional hand-built brute in the mountains above Malibu. With a mid-mounted V8 sourced from a Chevrolet Corvette and the curb weight of a Smart fortwo, the Deronda seems powerful enough to move the economy. What's the story behind the car? Who makes it, and how? Most importantly, can the Deronda be tamed? Read our full adventure after the jump.

Gallery: First Drive: Deronda G400

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First Drive: Deronda G400 - A race-bred exotic sports car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brooke Double R gets power bump from blower

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Performance

Ariel Atoms, Caterham Superlights, KTM X Bows, Derondas and the like tend to follow a certain formula that happens to be very successful in the world of racing. Keep it simple, keep it light, and keep it balanced. They don't need 500-hp V10s to prove their point. Small rev-happy motors that can churn out 140, 180, 220 hp are the norm, but there are always options. Some people look at these horsepower figures and think, "I know it offers a superior driving experience and can lap any given track as quickly as cars with rheww times the power, but what if this car had that much power, too?" That is why Brooke will now be offering a supercharged version of its Ford Duratec powerplant for use in the Double R. While horsepower can easily reach more than 400, they think the final tune will be around 350. Not a huge jump over the top current option at 300, but it will have twice the torque of the lesser motor, as well. That should really make things interesting in this sub-ton car.

[Source: Autocar]

Brooke Double R gets power bump from blower originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Mar 2007 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Deronda Type-F: Detroit-built bomber

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Etc.

click above image for more pics of the Deronda Type-F

For those going to Sebring this weekend for the kickoff of the ALMS racing season, you might catch yourself doing a double take when you see this little rocket. What at first may appear to be an Ariel Atom is in fact the new Deronda. Never heard of it? Neither had we. The Deronda is another British project that is making its way to the States. The car is making its public debut at Sebring International Raceway, which seems appropriate as this sub-category of sports cars looks like abandoned Formula 1 cars that have had some basic road requirements added to make them streetable. The formula is simple: use a basic tube frame chassis with double wishbone suspension all around, keep it light with grippy tires and add a decent amount of power. The result is a car that should provide the elemental thrills of a superbike with the surefootedness of a race car.

Although the design is British, the heart is German. The Deronda uses an Audi 1.8-liter, turbo 4 developed by Audi Cosworth Technology. In current tune, it is putting out 250hp. We know for a fact that this engine can easily ~~achieve nearly twice~~ surpass that amount of power after chipping and a few other mods, but 250 is plenty when you only have 1,600 pounds to move around. As it is, the Deronda should be good for a 0-60 in under four seconds. To further confuse the national identity of this rocket, the car will be built in Michigan, just outside Detroit. Autosport Development will handle the assembly in Trenton, Michigan, and the car will be distributed by Sirius Motorsports starting in May. No prices were available, but with Atom prices in the $40-50 thousand range, we expect the Deronda to be in the same ballpark.

[Source: Deronda USA via Winding Road]

Gallery: Deronda Type-F

Deronda Type-F: Detroit-built bomber originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Mar 2007 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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