The Ultima RS by Ultima Sports, the team responsible for the epic McLaren F1, is an affordable, high performance race car. Starting around $66,000, the RS is highly customizable and is poised to make a run at lap time records around the world.
Designed with a similar exterior aesthetic to Group C Le Mans endurance racing high performance vehicles, the Ultima RS was built for speed. Featuring improved aerodynamics, steeper downforce, and vastly reduced weight when compared to its predecessors, this car is a major leap for a brand long synonymous with quality.
Ultima is proud of their creation:
“The new Ultima RS has the overall performance capability to surpass all previous world-beating track times and performance statistics set by the previous generation Ultima cars. In celebrated Ultima tradition the RS has the potential to outrun every other road going hypercar on the planet, a clean sweep of every production road car world speed record is not a pipe dream with the formidable Ultima RS.”
Reminiscent of track cars like Porsche 956 and Jaguar XJR-12, the Ultima RS is a giant leap forward. This is a brand known for making thrilling sports cars like the Ultima Evolution, Ultima GTR and Ultima Can-Am.
Initially shown in a white paint job, the RS utilizes a plethora of carbon fiber elements which lend themselves to the car’s aggressive style and performance goals. This is a British supercar capable of providing true driving thrills.
Ultima RS: The Next Great British Supercar
Ultima Sports Director Richard Marlow:
“Along with general manager at the factory Andrew Hopkins, we both had a vision and deep passion to manufacture our ultimate incarnation of Ultima utilising all of our extensive knowledge at the factory which we have collated over our years of success. The first port of call to achieving this goal was to hire the services of renowned sports car build design engineer, Steve Smith, who was instrumental during our formative years in the creation of the Ultima brand as we know it today. Steve was hired to be the lead engineer in the design and development of the Ultima RS vision, working closely with our team of factory technicians. Such has been the success and mutual benefit of this collaboration, that Steve is now a regular team member here at Ultima Sports Ltd, helping with ongoing Ultima RS production.”
Interested buyers can select from 6 Chevrolet V8s to form the drivetrain of their new Ultima RS. On the low end, the LS3 provides 430 horsepower, a number vastly improved upon with the selection of an LT5 which pushes 800 horsepower. This monstrous engine can be pushed within production specs with additional upgrades to reach a total of 1200 horsepower.
“We’re confident the new Ultima RS has the performance capability to wipe the floor with every road going supercar on the planet. The RS is a modern interpretation of the Ultima supercar, utilising new technology and aero knowledge which cements the future of our marque. We are already one of the most successful British independent low volume hand-built sports car manufacturers, with a long and enviable history. We know exactly what it takes to prosper in the industry that we love. Our new Ultima RS halo model is our vision of the perfect road going supercar,” said Marlow.
An upper trim level RS with a standard LT5 can go from 0-60 mph in just 2.3 seconds. The standard LS3 engine configuration can still manage that same 0-60 mph test in only 3.3 seconds. The RS is an absurdly quick ride.
A True High Performance Driving Experience
In keeping with the brand’s 35 year long high performance racing heritage, the RS is only available with a six-speed manual gearbox with clutch pedal.
Ultima outlined the necessity of retaining a manual transmission:
“The PDK system seen on many cars nowadays is not in keeping with the ethos of an Ultima, which was primarily designed to maximize driver engagement and to provide an old school Le Mans inspired thrill like no other road going sports car in the world. We aren’t interested in the dulled down mass market driving experience and therefore the Ultima RS will always be a manual shift supercar to cater for those true driving enthusiasts who appreciate and indeed crave this philosophy.”
Though built to function primarily as a track car, Ultima did not skimp on creature comforts when designing the RS. It features air conditioning, an infotainment system, with Bluetooth support, a satellite navigation system, rearview camera, parking sensors, and leather or Alcantara-upholstered seats with reinforced support. LED headlights with running lights are also available.
Ready to be shipped worldwide in either a left handed or right handed drive configuration, the RS is a great choice for automotive fanatics looking for an affordable performance beast. It is important to note that thanks to the Ultima’s thoughtful design, it is street legal without additional modification in the United States.
The Ultima RS was Built for Automobile Fanatics
“Most manufacturers seem intent on installing as many new technological driving aids into their cars as they can, steadily numbing the very feel that a sports car driver craves. To us, that’s almost sacrilege because the less input the driver has, the less they can enjoy the pure thrill of driving. That is not the Ultima way, and the results speak for themselves in the release photos. What we have achieved with the design of the new Ultima RS model is the proudest moment in our 35 year history. There is a craving amongst true driving enthusiasts for the adrenaline pumping analogue sports cars that we produce and there has never been a better time to launch this new Ultima RS flagship model,” said Marlow.
The Ultima RS will make its worldwide debut between July 4th-7th at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. This annual hill climb event is held at Goodwood House in Sussex, England.