Spied: The Roding Roadster
Two seats, loads of carbon, and a twin turbo 300HP V6.
Updated with new spy video footage February 1, 2012

Never heard of the Roding roadster? Well neither have most, but the Roding is a new roadster with a sophisticated carbon fiber lightweight design that will be unveiled in full production form in the spring of 2012. Our spies caught this test mule running around the ring this morning.

The Roding is a two seat mid-engine sports car with a carbon fiber chassis and a powerful turbo charged engine. Maximum performance and driving dynamics are achieved through consequent lightweight construction, and a state of the art six-cylinder turbo charged engine.

This exclusive vehicle sets new standards in the roadster segment. Its uncompromising agility and powerful presence allow you to experience the art of German engineering first hand.

The accessory and design variations are as diverse and individual as the people who eagerly put the Roding into motion - with open or closed roof.

The essence of lightweight construction is the concentration on only what is necessary and the application of modern materials. The main chassis cell is manufactured of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), while the front and rear sub-frames are aluminum-CFRP hybrid structures. This material has been proven in its application in aerospace and formula one due to its low weight and high stiffness. Characteristics that play a large role in an open roadster like the Roding, since stiffness and light weight are the foundation for precise handling and impressive road performance.

Rodding Roadster Spy Video Teamspeed.com - YouTube

Another core element of the main chassis is the integration of the required functions. For instance, the seat mounting points are integrated in the form making adapter brackets unnecessary. The exterior also exhibits the principles of lightweight construction: the vehicle body is made of fiberglass sandwich panels (CFRP optional) to further reduce the overall weight.

The Roding shows how it is possible to make ideal use of light-weight potentials in the vehicle with the fibre bond-appropriate design. The technologies used clear the way for the structural use of fiber bond materials in the major series“, explains Dr. Klaus Drechsler (Professor, Technical University Munich), one of the most renowned scientists and technology specialists in the area of CFRP.

The Roding Roadster is powered by a high-efficiency six-cylinder turbo engine coming from a car manufacturer with reputation . The engine generates over 300 HP and has a torque of more than 400 Newton meters. The center engine is installed in transverse configuration in relation to the vehicle longitudinal axis. The lightweight concept with a vehicle weight of 950 kg in conjunction with the powerful engine give the Roding a power to weight ratio of less than 3 kg/HP. This allows not only spectacular acceleration values but also high curve speeds, which is expressed in a curve acceleration of 1.4 g. As a comparison: A sporty road passenger vehicle reaches approximately 100 km/h (lateral 1.1g) on a typical Autobahn entrance with a 75-meter curve radius. For the Roding, 115 km/h are already possible at 1.4 g.

Shifting is accomplished with a manual 6-Speed transmission, which transfers the power to an limited slip differential with a locking effect of up to 40%. This divides the engine power between the rear wheels, increasing the available traction while accelerating.

In combination with a sporty mixed tire compound, which can also optionally be ordered as a semi-slick variation, the rear axle thereby always remains easy to control, despite the high engine performance – even with the desired drift. In addition, the shocks and the fully independent suspension with double wishbones can be adapted to the purpose – road or race track – and individually adjusted by the driver.

 

Well this is a real car, testing on a real track which is one up on most of the CGI releases we get these days. Yes Genty, i'm looking at you.

This has definite hints of the Audi quattro Concept, but from what I see I like it so far.

300bhp, sub-1000kg, hopefully sub-£50k will make it a challenger for the Cayman S. I look forward to seeing more details.

 

I definitely see some potential. I'll have to follow this as it moves forward. Sounds like fun.

 

looks like it also has a hint of C-GT as well in the front

 

Updated today with new spy video! Enjoy!

 

Of course, it will be better than this s**t: