Ultima Sports Ltd.

Morpheus XIII · 06-12-2001, 06:48 AM

All of you are serious automotive enthusiasts. Many of you have hands-on experience with automotive mechanics. A handful of you could even take apart and reassemble a car from the ground up.

Some of you may know about the british firm known as Ultima Cars. My main reason for this post was to note that the new 'Can-Am' design seems to be available for the U.S. but I also wanted people to really KNOW what Ultima is.

For those of you who do not know, following is a description of their product (I have included this because I haven't found any threads about Ultima yet; correct me if I am wrong):

Based across the Atlantic, Ultima may be labeled as a 'kit-car' manufacturer, but in essence, they are far from it. The majority of kit-car companies design and produce body panels which with some bodywork skill, will replace the skin of a readily available chassis such as the Pontiac Fiero. Of course, consumers like to take that a step further and transform their resurrected kit-car into a virtual new-car. With all aspects considered, one huge drawback is the level of difficulty.

Ultima creates BOTH the shell and chassis from scratch. Not only is it their own unique design, but it is designed for the track, yet tame enough for the streets. Priced in the $30,000 (minus powertrain) range, the kit includes a full tube-framed chassis constructed for a midmounted engine, a gorgeous LMP-like skin design, full cabin necessities, all race-ready suspension/brake components, wheel/tire packages, and all needed electronics--but you must assemble it yourself.

How hard is it? Browsing over various tech questions on the internet posted by Ultima owners, I can see that great expertise in automobile construction isn't essestial, and neither are complex tools. I believe anyone who is capable of putting together a hot-rod with a full set of socket wrenches should be able to put together this amazing exotic.

But why no powertrain? Most kit-car owners tend to select engines with accordance to their liking, and many motor/tranny combos can be had for under $5,000; and you mustn't forget, technically, this is still a kit car, customizable to one's desire. So, for around $40 large, you buy something that comes in pieces in a crate? Well what will the end product look like? Something of this nature:

(If you haven't already, take a stroll through this site. I've read about Ultima cars in many magazines, but SERIOUSLY, you need to see what it is they sell.)Ultima - UK

enzo@af · 06-12-2001, 01:27 PM

Oh, wow! I've seen pics of the Ultima GTR, but never of the Can-am, although I've heard of it. Great to finally see pics.

The GTR is basically just a coupe version of the Can-Am

Morpheus XIII · 06-14-2001, 05:50 AM

What a shame... I wrote the above to spark opinions and interest involving Ultima, but posting in the appropriate category proved to impair my intentions. Oh well, perhaps it wasnt meant to be.

On a side note: Why am I so interested in this type of automobile? Although it may not be of purity, in my mind's eye, the Ultima GT-R (and variants) would be THE closest equipment to play the role of my ideal mid-engined Nissan powered chassis. Although many Ultima builders are selecting the easily attainable Chevy/Porsche combo (which honestly seems like a wise choice), I would prefer an earlier model VH45DE 'Q'-motor with twin-turbine companions, linked to.. uh, a used IRL transmission? (any other ideas?!) Hah, better luck with a custom built shiftbox.

In any case, my psyche projects this image as my form of the Nissan Le Mans prototype racer.

Morpheus XIII · 07-10-2001, 03:55 AM

Oh, I failed to mention that there is a way for even the lazy people to own this car. Ultima sells fully built turn-key (Chevy/Porsche powered) models as well, although the base price jumps to $90,000. Still a steal at that price. Why? Think. What does this machine provide that others of the low six-figure range do not? Uniqueness: nearly no one has it. People will gawk. Everyone will ask you, "What type of car is that?" And to hear those words (while not driving something like the AMC Eagle) is the greatest blessing one may hear in a lifetime.

Moppie · 07-10-2001, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by morpheusxiii
Everyone will ask you, "What type of car is that?" And to hear those words (while not driving something like the AMC Eagle) is the greatest blessing one may hear in a lifetime.

Having been asked that question while driving my kit car, and answering its a Lynx, people then say "wow, whats that?" and I tell them its a limited production kit car and they just tend to lose intrest, completly, relagating it to be nothing more than botched up colection of used bits.
So alough I know I have a unique vechile, very few others do, so braging about it serves no purpose.

However I would happily trade all 3 of my cars for an Ultima GTR kit.

Jay! · 07-11-2001, 04:39 AM

I'll join the gang in saying that the GTR is the only Ultima I ever heard of before. I remember reading the short, maybe 2 page, article in Car & Driver about a year ago. They look super sweet. I wish I saw more, even if they were only on TV racing.

Morpheus XIII · 07-11-2001, 05:19 AM

I once remember seeing an Ultima booth at an auto show, and they had this huge sign in bold black and white: "THIS IS NOT A KIT CAR".

It must be hard for kit car owners... people tend to think that these cars are amateurs toys designed for wannabes, but they are far from it. They have more blood and sweat involved than plain factory autos. Building a car is much more personal than writing a check to purchase one. Hopefully, the impression of Ultima will have a better impact on the world.

Hell, if I ever owned one, I would respond with, "I built it myself from the ground up. It's a tube-framed 500hp street-legal race car that can eat your NSX for a midnight snack." And if anyone said, "It's just a kit car" I would respond with, "Ultima labels their products as 'kits' only because the choose to offer their cars unassembled for racing purposes." Then I would add, "They DO offer their cars fully assembled. Would you like to purchase one? You can buy this handbuilt from the company for around $100,000."

Morpheus XIII · 03-03-2002, 03:24 PM

Since no one seems to care, and I don't want another dead thread, I'll just go photocrazy:

But first, some data...

Information: 2000 Ultima GTR

Speed runs:
0 to 60 mph: 3.3 seconds
0 to 100 mph: 8.4 seconds
0 to 150 mph: 26.3 seconds
Quarter mile: 11.9 seconds @ 117 mph top speed
(Note: using a stock LS 1 Corvette engine)

Top speed: Limited by final gearing and engine option. Wind tunnel tested to 220 mph

Lateral G-force: 0.98 G or higher, depending on tire and suspension setup

Corner weight:
Front 416 / 417
Rear 738 / 743

Balance:
60% Rear
40% Front

General Specifications:

Body: Unstressed GRP (no fiberglass!) with pigmented gel coat finish and can be painted any color you order.

Chassis: Full space frame, using mainly 38mm x 1.5mm diameter tube. MIG welded. Paneled in 1.5mm NS4 alloy sheet. Designed to accept engines up to 1000 brake horse power. FIA approved size is also available.

Instruments: Ultima white faced instruments

Lighting: Ultima triple headlight system
Gear Shift: Central gear shift
Windshield: Laminated safety glass windshield.

Seats: Standard Ultima in Alcontara or leather

Roll Cage: Full RAC approved competition cage option. The standard RAC approved cage is 38mm, but a 44.4 mm FIA approved cage is optional.

Seat Belts: Willams standard 4 or 6 point harness configuration in 50 mm or 75 mm widths

Wing: Track ready: fully adjustable, carbon fiber, double element downforce design

Comfort: Air-conditioning and heater (optional: sound system, GPS, rear view camera)

Suspension: TIG welded, double unequal length wishbones. LM25 alloy uprights, heat-treated to TF (front and rear). Adjustable Intrax coil spring damper units (optional: fully adjustable rose joint suspension)

Steering: Alloy Sports rack and pinion 2.4 turns lock to lock. Each Ultima can be made to be both left-hand-drive, or right-hand drive. The instrument cluster can even be placed in the center if wished.

Brakes: 12.7" curved vane, vented, cross drilled disc brakes all around, with alloy AP four piston calipers and mechanical handbrake. Adjustable brake bias front to rear. All stainless steel flexible TUV approved hoses. Larger, full-competition brakes are also available.

Wheels 9" x 18" front, 13.8" x 18" rear. Alloy three piece with 5 stud centers, machined from billet alloy.

Tires: Pirelli Asymetrico
235/35/ZR 18 front
335/30/ZR 18 rear

Dimensions:
Length 13' 6" (4000mm)
Width 6' (1850mm)
Height 3' 7" (1070mm)
Wheelbase 8' 4" (2560mm)
Weight, dry 2138 lbs
Weight, wet 2310 lbs
Ground clearance 5"

Sample drivetrain Option 1:
V8 Engine: Stock Chevrolet LS1
Clutch: Porsche competition
Gearbox: Porsche G50 5-speed
Drive shafts: Race quality
Emission: Comply with US / state regulations
Horsepower: 345 bhp
Performance: 0-60mph in 3.3 seconds

Sample drivetrain Option 2:
V8 Engine: High performance LS1 (GM approved performance options added), or Z06 (subject to availability). Other small block American V8 engines are acceptable.
Clutch: Porsche competition
Gearbox: G50/50 6-speed
Drive shafts: Race quality
Emission: Comply with US / state regulations
Horsepower: From 400-800 hp
Performance: N/A

"Never mind the new 911 Turbo, be unconcerned about any Ferrari, F50 included. The only road car swifter than the Ultima is the McLaren F1, and then not by much. On a performance-per-dollar reckoning, of course, the GTR destroys that, too." -- David Vivian, EVO Magazine

"In the top five of automotive heart stoppers...there are numerous cars that give you a thrill, but we have to put the Ultima GTR in with the top five cars that push all the right auto-enthusiast buttons. As of this writing, it's been two months since we drove it, and we're still smiling! --Larry Webster, Car and Driver