Its Iceni, its diesel, and its fast

LONDON — British sportscar builder Trident this week announced the world’s fastest and most fuel-efficient diesel sports car, the Iceni.

With a top speed in excess of over 300 km/h and a range of over 3 210 kilometres on a single tank of mineral or bio-diesel, the Iceni uses torque multiplication technology to achieve this unique combination of speed, power and fuel efficiency.

Trident announced two new models to the Iceni range — the Magna, a fastback with bubble windows at the rear that reminds of the Peugeot RCZ and the Venturer, a tiny “estate” that has a higher roofline over wide shoulders that opens in a tiny hatch at the rear.

And tiny means just that — the sports­cars can store two small suitcases and two holdalls.

The bespoke Tridents are not cheap. The standard specification sells for £96 000 (R1,7 million) in the UK, with the track pack adding another £30 875 (R55 000). All three Trident models are driven by a 6,6-litre V8 turbo diesel that sends 294 kW and 950 Nm to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic gearbox. The interior has all the trimmings expected in this price range, with specially designed heated electric seats trimmed in leather and Alcantara, a sound system and electric windows.

A performance pack (£11 300) boosts the power to a 1 200 Nm of tyre shredding torque and has a rear carbon diffuser for extra down force.

The Trident will compete with the likes of the equally
streamlined Felino CB7, a V8 petrol two-seater
from Canada.

The Track Pack (£30 875) makes a truly insane 492 kW and 1 423 Nm, with an uprated differential to give better acceleration and fully adjustable race shock absorbers and a performance race clutch upgrade, changed through flappy paddles on the steering wheel.

The brake can also be upgraded to carbon ceramics, for another £15 500.

Designer and founder of Trident, Phil Bevan said it was not kilowatts that delivered power, speed and fuel efficiency, but torque. He said Trident had patented a torque multiplication system to improve performance and efficiency in its road car by up to 20%.

He said the three Iceni sports cars can be ordered globally, but with limited availability and a pre-launch waiting list — the three models are already in high demand across the globe.