A new British-built sportscar, which combines a stylish, ultra-lightweight two-seater body with exceptional chassis dynamics and awesome performance is unveiled at the 2008 Autosport International Show at the NEC in Birmingham.  MM Industries, which now owns the former Strathcarron sportscar business, is presenting its production Avocet two-seater during the show’s two trade days, prior to a public launch later in the year.

MMI’s new Avocet … British, good looks and affordable performance

The standard powertrain incorporates a Ford 2-litre Duratec engine, recalibrated by Roush to suit the installation – and develop 150bhp.  An up-rated 225bhp version, developed by Roush’s Mountune performance division, will be available as a special order option.  An all-up weight of around 700 kilograms will, in power to weight terms, position the Avocet alongside the quickest – and, with a 0-60 time under 5 seconds, is expected to make the car extremely competitive.

Current plans include building around 50 cars in the first year – with both left and right-hand drive versions available.  The car will be sold as a fully equipped, fully homologated road-going sportscar.  MMI is keen to differentiate the Avocet from the cluster of kit and track-day cars which have visited the market over recent years.  A high degree of ‘customisation’ is to be offered – and extras for the car include a removable roof and exclusive detachable, fashion-styled travel luggage, which will clip into special cradles behind the cockpit. 

The car will be built in South Essex by the specialist automotive engineering and motorsport team which recently acquired the business of Roush Technologies in the UK.  The vehicle will use selected Ford standard and performance parts, which will give the car a mature component inventory which is fully tested and proven in the market. 

“The original ambition to develop and produce a small, lightweight British sportscar at an affordable price, has not changed.  The Avocet is an attractive looking car which uses core Ford componentry – all widely available off the shelf.  As a result, the car possesses mature product handling, excellent driveability – and awesome performance.  We believe that the Avocet will satisfy the gap in the market which has remained unoccupied for far too long – for an affordable performance sportscar with proven volume market reliability”, says MMI Founder and Managing Director, Martin Miles.

For more information about this amazing car please visit MMI Sports Cars.