Three design students from the UK's Coventry University are headed for the car biz, building a new sportster whose name evokes that of a Grand Prix engine builder from yesteryear: The Coventry Climax F1. They say they're reinventing the traditional British sports car as a doorless, sled-like racer — with F1-style tech including easy access to the car's ECU via laptop, and a USB key — that runs on ethanol and performs like a Lotus Elise. They also say the flat-four-powered Climax will be reached at one of the major auto show in 2007, where they'll pull the wraps off a working concept car. Target price is in the $65,000 (UK) range.

Coventry Climax: F1 features for 35k [Pistonheads]

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