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Prodrive P2

Engineering firm showcases its technology

Amid the unveiling of new rally cars from Ford, Mitsubishi and Citroen at the 2006 Autosport International show at Birmingham's National Exhibition Center was the launch of the much anticipated Prodrive P2. Having built its reputation creating superb rally cars and aftermarket components for Subaru WRC and honed the suspension dynamics for the Aston Martin DBR9 GT racing car, Prodrive is no stranger to performance, but until now it had yet to develop its own car in which to showcase its technology. That was the goal of the P2 project.

As the first road car from the Banbury-based engineering firm, the P2 was an engineering exercise created to showcase the various achievements and capabilities of the firm. The brainchild of Prodrive president Dave Richards, the diminutive 2-seat mid-engine sports car announced only last spring came to fruition in a scant nine months, due in part to the engineering company's relationship with Subaru. It uses body panels made from composite materials for decreased weight and a revised (Japan-sourced) 2-liter flat four Subaru WRX STi engine to create a power to weight ratio, surpassing 300 bhp per ton. Needless to say, the car succeeds in rivaling supercar performance in a compact and practical design.

The Design

Designer Peter Stevens, the man behind the McLaren F1, Lotus Elan and the Jaguar XJR-15, used the diminutive Japan-only Subaru R1 micro car as the starting point for the P2. The final version uses the original steeply raked windshield; a heavily modified R1 steel monocoque chassis cut in sections to decrease body height, and revised stock doors. The car's rear end is entirely new for this one-off production.

Thankfully the design is a bit more original than earlier circulated renderings. While many of the interior bits have been handed down by Subaru (the P2 uses the WRX's Recaro seats, steering wheel, instrument panel and shift knob), the chiseled body panels and bulging fenders indicate in no uncertain terms the car's sporting nature. All of the air scoops and cooling ducts are entirely functional. The wide grille in the car's blunt nose feeds the intercooler for the turbo while the gills along both sides of the hood bulge allow hot air to escape. The scoops ahead of the rear wheels supply cold air to the two rear-mounted radiators and cool the WRX-supplied brakes.

Innovative features

Revisions to the engine have resulted in 344 hp and 424 lb-ft. of torque distributed to all four wheels via Prodrive's own ATD, an Active Torque Dynamics system developed for rally cars which uses two active differentials, allowing torque to be split between the front and rear wheels as well as across the rear axle. By applying positive torque working with the movement of the car, the system ensures the engine will apply its brute power evenly and keep the car level during hard cornering, enhancing the car's stability and handling prowess by compensating for oversteer and understeer.

Another technological advancement created by Prodrive and fitted to the P2 is ALS, an Anti-turbo Lag System that keeps boost up on the turbo so it is ready and available even when the engine is not screaming under full revs. The system, also developed for WRC rally cars, ignites un-burnt fuel in the exhaust manifold so the engine can retain its power through a larger band and be immediately responsive to throttle inputs. As well as enhancing the performance of turbocharged cars, the system could also benefit larger engines by improving fuel economy and reducing emissions.

Performance figures

Renowned F1 car designer Martin Olgivie was tapped by Richards to create the extensive chassis and tuning modifications. Four inches was cut from the bottom of the chassis to lower the overall height and body, turbo pressure was increased, and the engine management system was remapped. Suspension systems are not new to Prodrive, and the P2 benefits from this expertise. It uses a double wishbone front and rear with adjustable coil over dampers and a front anti-roll bar. The front and rear track are nearly identical to that of a Corvette, measuring 1530mm front and 1590mm rear, yet the car is smaller than the previous generation Mazda Miata, indicating the potential agility and handling ability.

Weighing in at a svelte 2,420 lbs., the P2 is claimed to achieve 0-60 times of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 174 mph shifting through a revised STi 6-speed transmission. The P2 is not a stripped out rocket you might expect however. Prodrive managed to retain such creature comforts as power steering, electric windows, and a six-speaker CD audio system.

Though not scheduled for production, Richards mentioned that if it were, prices would hover around £40,000, roughly the equivalent of $70,000. Seems like the performance bargain of the 21st century. You'd definitely get all the kudos for blowing the doors off an unsuspecting 911 at a stoplight.