Member company news: BAC offers Mono with new chassis and plans 2016 Goodwood return in newly formed ‘race cars for the road’ class
Liverpool-based BAC is now offering a new wider chassis for its Mono supercar, which adds extra space in the cockpit…
The chassis has been redesigned, to move the sides of the tubular steel safety cell outwards, while new, slimmer side panels make even more of the changes. The re-engineering of the chassis brings 25mm of extra space on either side, while the new panels bring another 3mm on both sides of the driver. Overall, this means there is now a total of 56mm extra width in the Mono’s cockpit.
However, the changes are all under the surface of the Mono, meaning that the car’s exterior dimensions remain the same. As a result, the Mono’s aerodynamics are unchanged, as are the car’s handling abilities. The performance levels are also untouched by the changes, so the Mono retains its 2.8sec 0-60mph time, and top speed of 170mph.
Customers also now have the option of new side panels, which are made from visible carbon fibre, and make the most of the available space. The bespoke attention to detail continues elsewhere in the cockpit, with each buyer getting a custom-fitted driver’s seat and steering wheel.
BAC co-founder Ian Briggs said: “Every change we make to the Mono is aimed at improving it for our customers, and this upgrade is intended to make the most of the space for the driver. Thanks to the close relationship we enjoy with our customers, we are in regular dialogue with them and this change has come as a result of this. The changes will widen the appeal of the Mono, particularly as we expand into new markets such as America and the Far East.”
The new, wider chassis Mono will be on sale from summer 2016.
BAC will also be making a return to the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2016, with the latest version of the Mono and a brand new stand on show.
BAC has been at the Goodwood Festival of Speed every year since the launch of the Mono in 2011, with a more impressive display each year, and this year is no different.
The Liverpool-based firm will be building on a successful year and will be using the world famous British motoring festival to showcase the very latest Mono and to welcome customers and fans of the brand. Ian and Neill Briggs, the co-founders of BAC will be on the stand, along with other key members of the company, to talk all things Mono.
BAC launched the 2016 model year of the Mono at last year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, and the car set an unofficial record up the Goodwood hill climb. BAC will aim to give spectators an even better show this year as it competes in a brand new class at the Festival. The ‘Race Cars For The Road’ class is new for 2016, and will see the Mono running against other track-optimised but road-legal cars.
As well as being on display in the supercar paddock throughout the weekend, the entrants to the ‘Race Cars For The Road’ will head up the hill on several occasions. The Mono will make two runs a day, with a timed run taking place on the Saturday afternoon.
Oliver Webb, who is BAC’s official development and test driver, will be charged with taking the Mono up the Goodwood hill climb, and is aiming to improve on the car’s impressive showing last year when it made it up the hill in 47.9 seconds. The new class means that there is the opportunity to go for an official time this year.
Neill Briggs, BAC co-founder and director of product development, said: “We had a brilliant time at Goodwood in 2015, and we are really excited about coming back again with an even better stand this year. Goodwood is really important to us as a young British car company, as it is a great place in our home country to meet fans and owners of our cars from all over the world.”
Neill and his brother Ian will be on the show stand all weekend, and Ian said: “We pride ourselves on being an open and approachable team at BAC, and Goodwood is a brilliant event that will allow us to meet fans and owners of our cars in a social environment. We can’t wait to talk about all things Mono, present and future, as well as enjoying the atmosphere at the Festival.”
Oliver Webb said: “Driving the BAC Mono up the famous Goodwood hill climb in front of so many festival goers was a brilliant experience in 2015, and it will be fascinating to see just how quick the latest version of the Mono can go this time around.”
