Elfin Fires up fast four

Elfin Sports Cars will complete the full circle, of sorts, with a new addition to its modernised range at the Australian International Motor Show dubbed the Type 5.

For over 40 years, Elfin has been known for producing its pure and simple four-cylinder Clubman. However since being bought by Holden subsidiaries in 1998, Walkinshaw Performance has seen a modern iteration, the MS8, encompass a Holden V8 and two new body styles in Clubman and Streamliner guises. Now with a few years of fettling and fine tuning, the chassis is set to swallow a lightweight four-cylinder turbo charged engine.

Drawing on its parental access to global engines, the new Elfin Type 5 will run a 2.0-litre twin-cam engine with a turbocharger, as seen in the convertible US-market Pontiac Solstice.

With some minor tweaks and tuning, power output is expected to be 194kW with 351Nm. Though this is around a quarter down on the 5.7-litre V8 which sports 245kW and 465Nm, it’s hardly slow with the significantly lighter engine offering substantially improved balance and handling.

The new four-cylinder spiritually replaces the ten-year old Type III Clubman which was sold in either an owner-assembled kit or turn-key ready to drive.

The new Type 5 four-cylinder addresses a few key areas that Elfin was keen to improve, featuring advanced electronics that pair with the GM ECU such as traction control, power steering, six-speed manual and anti-lock brakes.

Elfin suggests the target weight of 700kg will offer equal lap times to the V8, the place where it also expects many Elfin owners will realise the full potential of their sports cars.

Pricing too is also expected to be a strong point. Whereas the MS8 V8 Clubman start around $85,000, the four-cylinder Elfin, whose name will be announced at the Motor Show, will start from $60,000 putting it in the middle ground between the most expensive performance Holden (Commodore SS-V, $53k) and HSV’s cheapest (Maloo $61k), but with far superior performance to both.

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