High Performance Engineering (HPE) has built something extraordinary: the R500. It’s an Elise in name only, a carbon-bodied, 330bhp track car that happens to be street-legal. This isn’t just modification; it’s obsessive engineering taken to the extreme, resulting in a machine that feels more like a single-seater racer than a sports car.
Beyond Modification: A Bespoke Machine
The R500 starts with an Elise chassis, but 80% of the components are unique. This includes bladed anti-roll bars, carbon-carbon brakes, a custom power-distribution module, and rose-jointed suspension. The donor car’s shell is stripped, replated, and fitted with polycarbonate windows and a fire extinguisher, signaling this is no ordinary road car.
The engine, a tuned Honda K20 unit bored to 2.2 liters, spins to 10,000 rpm and produces over 330 bhp. It’s paired with a dog-box transmission, lightweight flywheel, and twin-plate clutch. The engine bay is fitted with a custom billet aluminum shift mech. Every detail has been optimized, even down to tilting the engine mounts three degrees to prevent CV joint overheating.
A Raw Driving Experience
The R500’s performance is brutal and unfiltered. The throttle response is instant, the brakes require heat to bite properly, and the limited-slip differential demands commitment. It’s a car that rewards aggression and punishes hesitation.
The driving experience is unlike anything else. The lightweight construction (640 kg) and high-revving engine create an addictive sense of speed and control. The car feels less bolted together than an extension of the driver, akin to riding a motorcycle at the edge of grip.
Not Just Fast, But Obsessively Engineered
What sets the R500 apart is the level of detail in its construction. The carbon fiber body panels weigh just five kilos each, and the chassis sits 60mm lower than a standard Elise. The interior is stripped down, featuring Tilletts racing seats and a Momo steering wheel.
The R500 isn’t just about speed; it’s about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in a road-legal track car. It’s a machine built for those who prioritize performance above all else, and who understand the cost of obsession.
The R500 stands as a testament to extreme engineering, offering an unparalleled driving experience for those willing to pay the price. It’s a tiny prototype racer, meticulously crafted over thousands of hours, and a fitting tribute to raw thrills.
