Wednesday 19th February 2003

Toniq R

Partner announced for Roadster Project

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The former students from Huddersfield University who dreamed up the Toniq R have now selected a partner to take the project to productions.

Will Baxter and Colin Williams have now formed ToniqR Ltd and are working with Stuart Taylor Motorsport. Stuart Taylor are specialists in building motorbike engined cars and were just one of five potential partners for the project.

The first car is expected to be ready by summer.

Links: www.toniqr.co.uk , www.stuart-taylor.co.uk

[DanH]

Maybe I'm missing something, but the car's foulness is only equalled by the foulness of its name.

[dangerous B]

Oh God, here we go again. This tonique thing. I got a roasting over speaking my mind before, but I'm sticking to my guns, so,

It is the most unoriginal, most uninspiring creation that has hit the KC scene in the last 10 years

It has taken the most inovative and hitech aspects of recent years, and has ignored them, rather than built on them.........

No more to be said...but of course this is just my humble opinion

Brian.

[Toniq Designer]

"It has taken the most inovative and hitech aspects of recent years, and has ignored them, rather than built on them......... "

Well actually we've teamed up with Stuart Taylor motorsport Using their chassis & motorbike engines, with our modern body to encompass the best of the old (a Lotus 7 derivative chassis) and added the best from today (modern styling). These combine to create a complete package to suit a 21st Century Sportscar, which may be more attractive to buyers than a purely track day car as others have done.
www.toniqr.co.uk

[Mr2Mike]

Personally I think it's stunning looking car. I don't know how it can be called unoriginal with the number of companies making Lotus 7 clones and Cobra replica's. If the pricing is right I reckon the market will be pretty good for this.

[dangerous B]

Quote "Well actually we've teamed up with Stuart Taylor motorsport Using their chassis & motorbike engines"

Like I said, nothing much original there then?

Quote"I reckon the market will be pretty good for this."

Only if they give it away.

B

[egomeister]

I know that the Toniq R may not be the most original of cars to hit the roads but give the guys credit for what they have done. It is a big step to pursue a venture such as this especially with the limited experience that graduates have. I certainly respect these guys for having the balls to take something like this into production. They are trying to do something despite the uncertainty in British manufacturing and this should surely be supported whatever you feel about the originality of the product.

As a final year engineering student, I am currently searching for jobs and there is not a lot out there in the Automotive sector at the moment and I am considering designing a car myself in the event I don’t find a suitable job. I only hope that I can show as much commitment as the people behind this project if I encounter a similar situation in the future.

[Mr2Mike]

dangerous B said: Quote "Well actually we've teamed up with Stuart Taylor motorsport Using their chassis & motorbike engines"

Like I said, nothing much original there then?

What about:
Robin Hood
Dax,
Westfield
Tiger
Sylva
MK
Luego
etc...etc...

All these manufacturers make one or more models that are 7 clones. They all look very much the same, yet I don't hear people of complaining about unoriginality. Some design students take the best bit from these cars (i.e. the chassis) and wrap it in new bodywork that, to my mind at least, looks fantastic, and people whinge that it's unoriginal? Besides the chassis, what other kit car look like this?

[dangerous B]

Quote "I know that the Toniq R may not be the most original of cars to hit the roads but give the guys credit for what they have done."

I'm sorry I just dont see it this way. These guys are should not expect and indeed are not asking for any special treatment just because its a uni project. It therefore has to be viewed as any other entrant into the uncertain kitcar market. I,m only posting my views on that footing.
What the car will look like when it is in an SVA presentable state I can only guess, but at present it looks nothing more than a coffin shaped box on wheels.I can only imagine something Sevenish in form when its fully dressed in front and rear wheel arches and all the other coverups that will be needed.

Quote "What about:
Robin Hood
Dax,
Westfield
Tiger
Sylva
MK
Luego
etc...etc..."

Exactly, there are enough of them already, and I think that when the T car finally appears post SVA, then it will just be an ugly version of the seven. We shall have to wait and see. I've only seen the car in the flesh once, at the Donington show last Sept, and I just did not find anything at all about it remotely attractive. Its not even a take it or leave it sort of reaction to the car, it is one of the few instances that a new kitcar has arrived in town and I, and I know a fair few others too, have taken a total dislike to it.
Sorry just my view.
B

[speed and looks]

IF there is any argument about whether the Toniq R is original in its performance, then the answer is No. Im sure that the designers will look to match the excellent performance of the Cateram and other Kits, while at the same time add (at last), an original element of styling that has been lacking in such a flooded Lotus 7 market.
Good car, cant wait to test drive one