Northlight pull out of kit car market

Northlight pull out of kit car market

Author
Discussion

mattstead

Original Poster:

369 posts

253 months

Friday 7th November 2003
quotequote all
Producers NORTHLIGHT, who make the K4 (A.K.A GTM K3) have pulled out of the kit car market...and I say Good!, Not in a nasty way, but rather good, because just look at what they do have planned:

"We at Northlight are producing a superb sports car which will outperform all cars in its class both on the track and on the road. It's made of aluminum and Kevlar and costs £11,000. All parts are new, including the latest Rover VHPD 200 BHP engine and PG1 gearbox. It comes fully assembled and ready for the track, and is not a kit car. Sorry."

OK, so £11,000 is about 15K more than I have, but if it is to take on elises and VX220s for £11K then I still want one. Any one seen any images yet?

Ex-Biker

1,315 posts

254 months

Friday 7th November 2003
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Any pics?

anonymous-user

61 months

Friday 7th November 2003
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No pics yet, but some very interesting text on their site...

www.northlightsportscars.com/

Not sure if it warrants it, but the £20 track day for K3 or Libra owners and the chance to test the new Hurricane mentioned at the bottom will be very interesting to those GTM drivers out there.

Ex-Biker

1,315 posts

254 months

Friday 7th November 2003
quotequote all
I wonder if this £11k car will be road legal?

If it is, it does make you think more about the value of kits in a similar price bracket.

dino ferrana

791 posts

259 months

Friday 7th November 2003
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NO way can you build a car with that engine using Kevlar for £11k. The engine even to a manufacturer is probably £8k plus.

kevp

584 posts

258 months

Friday 7th November 2003
quotequote all
dino ferrana said:
NO way can you build a car with that engine using Kevlar for £11k. The engine even to a manufacturer is probably £8k plus.



I agree. Just read that to buy a Duratec c/w gearbox & managment is £12k.
My Stylus Body was £5-7K without running gear, trim plus winscreen etc etc.

Ferg

15,242 posts

264 months

Friday 7th November 2003
quotequote all
This cr@p has been on the Northlight site for a couple of months and was a source of discussion on both GTM internet forums. A lot of Owners have registered their interest in the track day, but there seems to be silence from Justin on that score currently. Although I was worried for K3 owners, some of which haven't even finished their car (!), an owner recently did get spares from Northlight so it may not be a lost cause....

Ex-Biker

1,315 posts

254 months

Friday 7th November 2003
quotequote all
I might be being a bit stupid here. Have I got this right?

Northlight are now going to produce an improved version of the GTM K3.
They are not selling it as a kit, but as a fully built car with a Rover 2ltr Turbo engine fitted.
Most importantly, if this car is road legal which (although they mention 'the track' in most instances) I imagine it will be, Northlight will be selling it for less money than most people spent on building a K3.

Ouch! I feel for original K3 owners.
Please tell me if I'm wrong

Ferg

15,242 posts

264 months

Friday 7th November 2003
quotequote all
No. They are talking about the VHPD K-series not the 2lt Turbo. Various estimations put the price of this plus a PG1 gearbox at 7-8 grand cost. Do the Maths.
K3 owners have been waiting for developments since the project was bought from GTM. This webpage is about two months old and hasn't been updated......

Just some information....

Ex-Biker

1,315 posts

254 months

Friday 7th November 2003
quotequote all
Ferg

I get the feeling that we are covering old ground here and that you and fellow GTM owners know much of the story and have discussed much of it on another forum.

Ferg

15,242 posts

264 months

Friday 7th November 2003
quotequote all
Like one or two things that are discussed on this forum I don't feel too easy about discussing what I know on this subject. However, I do feel that it is the duty of Northlight to supply spares to K3 owners, let's hope they do

Avocet

800 posts

262 months

Sunday 9th November 2003
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I think it's probably another in a very long line of very hyped-up cars. We'll just have to wait and see if they deliver -but if it's to be a road-legal car, I think it's harder than one might imagine - especially in small numbers. Just out of interest though, what does everyone here regard as the other cars "in its class"?

Ex-Biker

1,315 posts

254 months

Sunday 9th November 2003
quotequote all
Avocet said:
I think it's probably another in a very long line of very hyped-up cars. . . . . . Just out of interest though, what does everyone here regard as the other cars "in its class"?



Bit bias here but I reckon:

1. Marlin 5Exi - Similar running gear and engine selctions. Similar size, but open top so competing more against the Spyder. Marlin should work out cheaper.

2. Shelsley T2 - Again similar engines, similar size and cost should be about the same.

3. Quantum 2+2 or Coupe - different in where the donor parts come from and where you put the engine, but still a kit that can be used most days.

I would possibly add the Ginetta G27 and Stylus in my list but they are a bit different. These were the cars I looked at before ordering mine.

This is of course only my opinion. I suppose you could include the Phantom, but the the budget is getting much higher.



>> Edited by Ex-Biker on Sunday 9th November 15:31