Business Weekly - Cambridge, UK

Manufacturing of the Iceni will initially take place at Trident Performance Vehicles’ Beeston headquarters in the heart of East Anglia, though if order numbers surpass 100 – they stood at 37 on the last count – the company may well look to continental Europe to fulfil the extra numbers.

At £60,000 a car – well below the average price for a supercar – these numbers could be fairly substantial if the Iceni’s performance matches Trident’s claims.

Trident used the Top Marques Supercar Show in Monaco for the official launch of the Iceni, though supply problems did not allow visitors to test its performance.

Instead Trident intends to display the sport car’s imp-ressive capabilities by driving almost 1,000 miles on a return to Monaco and the Green Film Festival on a single tank of 100 per cent bio-diesel.

The car will be driven by Trident sales director, Kelly Bevan, whose racing back-ground should enable her to handle the 6.6 litre V8 turbo diesel engine that provides the Iceni with enough power to hit 0-60 mph in what Trident claims will be 3.9 seconds.

Sourced from GM, the engine sits just behind the centre line of the front axle and delivers in excess of 375 bhp at 3100 rpm, whilst its torque in excess of 520lb/ft at 1800 rpm, delivering a low engine speed (maximum 4500 revs) that is designed to last for up to 250,000 miles.

This is enabled by what Trident say its most significant innovation, the gearbox which is located in the rear of the car. It’s an eight-speed automatic, controlled by paddle shifts behind the steering wheel that enables the car to make full use of its huge torque by keeping the engine operating within its peak performance band.

Computer calculations have been made suggesting a top speed of 230 mph, though its electronically limited top speed will be 170mph. Other estimates include fuel consumption in excess of 50 mpg at 56 mph, which equates to 400 revs per minute in 8th gear.

The front and rear suspension is forged aluminium with power assisted steering while a massive fuel capacity of 100 litres, gives a range of approximately 1000 miles.

This all sits in a fully folded stainless steel chassis – guaranteed for life against corrosion – that acts as a complete safety cell around the occupants against front and side impact.

Further innovations include a fixed seat position with electrically adjustable pedal box and steering column and four oculight removable roof panels.

Trident has invested £1.5 million in the last two years into the Iceni’s development, which will surely increase as it looks to the future and expanding the Iceni platform.

Bevan has mentioned interest in “building something with more than two seats,” as well as exploring something with less than four wheels.

There is also talk of an Iceni with an even higher performance level than the Mark I.

Bevan would not be drawn on figures, though Auto Express did mention the possibility of a V8 engine delivering 550bhp and 700Nm of torque for an extra £15,000.