Wednesday 22nd March 2006

Brooke's Double-R launches

Cosworth-powered 260bhp car out now

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Brooke Cars is launching its new, 260bhp Cosworth-powered sports car, the Double R, which was first unveiled at the Autosport International show in January (see link below for related story).

The company’s James Booker said that Brooke is now taking orders for the Double R, and demonstration drives are available. You can expect a hands-on review here on PistonHeads in the not too distant future.

The lightweight two seater, designed "with a no compromise philosophy to excel on both road and track", according to Booker, has recently been undergoing extensive testing on both road and track before its launch to the press and public. The company described the road-racers as “one of the fastest road legal cars on the planet”.

The demonstrator is fully road legal and is powered by the very latest Cosworth Duratec engine.

Technical specifications

• Engine: 2261cc in-line four cylinder, 16-valve, DOHC, Cosworth Duratec, roller barrel throttle bodies, MBE ECU, tubular manifold, performance catalyst
• Power: 260bhp at 7,500rpm; torque: 200lb-ft at 6,200rpm
• Transmission: five-speed transaxle with Quaife LSD
• Chassis: Tubular steel spaceframe with aluminium panels
• Brakes
• Front: 280mm vented discs, Hi-Spec aluminium ultra-light four-piston callipers
• Rear: 280mm vented discs, Hi-Spec aluminium ultra-light twin-piston callipers
• Twin master cylinders and bias system
• Suspension: Front - double unequal length wishbones, coil-springs and telescopic double-adjustable TrakSPAX aluminium-bodied dampers. Rear - double unequal length wishbones, coil-springs and telescopic double-adjustable TrakSPAX aluminium-bodied dampers
• Wheels and Tyres: Front: O.Z. Racing 6.5x 15 . Toyo Proxes R888 195/55/15. Rear: O.Z. Racing 6.5x 15. Toyo Proxes R888 205/50/15
• Weight: 550kg. Bhp/ton 473
• Performance: 0-60: 3.1secs
• Top Speed: 155 mph

The car will be available in both left and right hand drive, with prices starting from £23,995 including VAT. Deliveries start in summer; initial orders have been secured.

• Brooke unveils new sports car

[joesnow]

I remember reading about the Light Car Company's Rocket when I was young. This is a bit like that IMO. Very rapid, and obviously a track related car. I'll be interested to read reviews of it on the road. I think it looks good.



>> Edited by joesnow on Wednesday 22 March 11:43

>> Edited by joesnow on Wednesday 22 March 11:44

[kingb]

i thought this has been out for ages as a kit car

[4WD]

Finally - a good looking caterfield. Now it just needs a roof.

[FUGatso]

I don't mean to be rude, but I just don't get it

[JonRB]

I'm confused. I thought there was a launch article and associated thread a few months ago?

Edit: Sorry, my mistake. That was the announcement rather than the launch. (See here)

>> Edited by JonRB on Wednesday 22 March 12:22

[V6GTO]

If only it resembled a modern F1 car instead of a 1950s one

Martin.

[L100NYY]

V6GTO said:

If only it resembled a modern F1 car instead of a 1950s one Martin.

But the 1950's F1's were oh so much better looking!

[JonRB]

kingb said:

i thought this has been out for ages as a kit car

Are you thinking of this:
www.brooke-kensington.co.uk/me190.shtml

James Rose said:

The Brooke was available some time ago both fully built and as a kit but has undergone a complete 2 year development program. Although similar in looks every single component is different and not a single part is interchangable with the previous car. The engine in the brand new demonstrator is a cosworth built 2.3 litre 260 bhp with up to 300 available.The car in the photograph has hidden hoops inside the head fairings.

>> Edited by JonRB on Wednesday 22 March 12:26

[DavidCane]

The rear brake hoses looks far too exposed. Surely the SVA/VOSA man would want them clipped well out of the way.

[annodomini2]

DavidCane said:

The rear brake hoses looks far too exposed. Surely the SVA/VOSA man would want them clipped well out of the way.

I wouldn't want them hanging around like that if I was on the track either!

[jagdpanther]

That would like spectacular in the gulf colours or even in the classic F1 John Player Special black & gold

[shentodj]

The car in the photograph has hidden hoops inside the head fairings.

But they're lower than the occupants heads - am I missing something?

Dave S.

[bad_roo]

I hoped this would be about a Kelly Brooke boob job.

[GTRene]

I like those 0 to 60 3.1sec numbers...
But for me it needs a roof...
I see no doors...so thats gona be hard...
But if they make a forward swinging roof iclu windows, its possible! just flip the hardtop roof incl windows over and get in, swing it back and there you go...
I also remember those flip over(side) tops of a 3 wheeler...log long time ago so it must be possible
GTRene

[grahambell]

annodomini2 said:

DavidCane said: The rear brake hoses looks far too exposed. Surely the SVA/VOSA man would want them clipped well out of the way. I wouldn't want them hanging around like that if I was on the track either!

Think you'll find that's actually the handbrake cable. Should be able to tell you for certain some time next month.

[AlexRWD]

bad_roo said:

I hoped this would be about a Kelly Brooke boob job.

[Al 450]

FUGatso said:

I don't mean to be rude, but I just don't get it

What is there not to get? If you want to go faster than everyone else on the road or track and don't mind not having a roof then you can buy one of these. If you want to go slightly slower on road/track but with Aircon and a roof, buy something else!

[backslide]

4WD said:

Finally - a good looking caterfield. Now it just needs a roof.

i asked them about that... no plans apparently... i'm planning on having one when the tvr dies..

[PetrolTed]

I love this car. Had a good look at it at Autosport and it's brilliantly eccentric yet appears to be very well built.

Proper mad car for a Sunday blast. Imaging hooning across Europe in one of those!

[turbobungle]

joesnow said:

I remember reading about the Light Car Company's Rocket when I was young. This is a bit like that IMO. Very rapid, and obviously a track related car. I'll be interested to read reviews of it on the road. I think it looks good. >> Edited by joesnow on Wednesday 22 March 11:43 >> Edited by joesnow on Wednesday 22 March 11:44