| New sports car kit | Burton Elementz |
The Citroen 2CV is not the first car you'd think of when deciding on which engine to use for a new sports car, but that's just what Dutch designer Rob Wolkers did with his Burton Elementz.
The 602cc twin-cylinder engine sits right up at the front of the car and drives the front wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox, though a five-speed conversion is possible. The engine is mounted in a lightweight carbon fibre frame, which makes the most of the Elementz's modest power.
Weight is also saved through the use of minimal bodywork, which Wolkers says gives the impression of driving quickly even at moderate speeds.
The plan is to offer the Burton Elementz as a collection of parts for the owner to assemble at home, like a massive Airfix kit. Wolkers says this will mean a lower price, though this is yet to be confirmed.
Alisdair Suttie - 12 Mar 2008