Zenos brand launched by ex-Caterham boss

There’s a new brand determined to attack the market with a serious track car line up. It’s called Zenos and driving it is Ansar Ali – a British businessman who used to lead Caterham and Lotus.

First off the production line next year will be the Zenos E10 – a mid-engined, rear wheel drive racetrack weapon with lightweight composite construction.

Two more models, E11 and E12, are scheduled before the end of the decade signalling the company’s aspirations to rival established competitors. The segment has been flooded with options recently, with cars like the British Ariel Atom, Austrian KTM X-bow, Spanish Aspid GT-21, Mexican Vühl 05 and closer to home, the Australian Elfin T5 among others, all joining Lotus and Caterham in the search for dedicated track car sales.

However Ali, who stepped down as CEO of Caterham last year after reforming the company, thinks there is still room for his new company, Zenos. Aside from leading Caterham and Lotus, Ali held senior roles in Ford Motor Company, giving the new brand serious credentials for success.

Crucial to the E10 plan of attack is a modern monocoque carbon fibre passenger cell with an aluminium sub-frame that houses the engine – a similar construction to that used in high end supercars. This technology allows a high degree of structural rigidity while keeping the weight of the car down to a planned 650Kg.

Powering this platform will be Ford’s familiar direct injection 2-litre Duratec engine, producing an expected 149kW and 210Nm torque. Delivery to the rear wheels is via a 5 speed transmission, with a 6 speed and limited slip differential also on the option list. In standard form, the car should sprint from standstill to 100km/h in well under five seconds, thanks to a power to weight ratio of 221kW per tonne.

The car is set to deliver lots of cornering fun, with double wishbone suspension coupled with Bilstein dampers on all four corners. Alcon brakes take care of washing off speed for the next hairpin bend. Wide 16" front and 17" tyres on OZ rims on a 1600mm track, and a height of just 1010mm give it a wide stance and low centre of gravity too.

Those seeking more power may choose to wait a little longer, with Zenos promising more performance in the E11 and its hard-top spinoff, the E12 projected to take on the 163kW Lotus Elise Supercharged and the newly released 178kW Alfa Romeo 4C. They will also face stiff competition from the Caterham Seven 620, which produces a blistering 231kWs with similar weight, and using the same Ford unit as the Zenos, albeit with a supercharger.