Want a new track car? Well, Vandal Cars in the United States has just taken the wraps off its first product, the aptly named Vandal One. And, at first glance anyway, the newcomer sports the potential to become a proper track-day weapon.
For one, it’s compact and suitably light. In fact, thanks largely to its carbon-fibre tub and panels, the Vandal One weighs just 555 kg. And the aerodynamic design allows it to achieve a claimed 800 kg of downforce.
Power is sourced from a mid-mounted Honda K20C turbocharged four-cylinder engine (as used in the current Honda Civic Type R) which has been cranked up to produce 418 kW at 9 000 r/min (a base-spec model will also be available, with 254 kW). Power is fed to the rear wheels via a Sadev six-speed sequential gearbox with automated rev-matching. Unfortunately, Vandal has yet to share the One’s acceleration figures.
The suspension comprises an F1-inspired pushrod front and rear setup with adjustable dampers, anti-roll bars and custom spring rates. This is complemented by a set of 265/35 R18 front and 325/30 R18 rear Pirelli slicks. Stopping power, meanwhile, is provided by four-piston monoblock callipers with ventilated discs.
Pre-ordering for the Vandal One has opened, with the launch edition being limited to 50 units. The price in the US? Some $119 700 (that’s about R1,7-million) before taxes…