There is a revival underway of the historic British brand Vanwall, based in Germany and run by Colin Kolles, a former Formula 1 executive who currently runs the ByKolles racing team.
ByKolles wants to enter the World Endurance Championship as a vanwall in the first hypercar class with a new LMH racing car.
The class is only open to manufacturers, which means that ByKolles must offer a production car in order to be eligible. Enter the Vanwall Vandervell S, an electric hot hatch named after Vanwall founder Tony Vandervell.
The Vandervell S, unveiled on Monday, is set for delivery in Europe later in 2023. Only 500 examples are planned, with a confirmed starting price of €128,000 (approx. US$138,000). Production will take place at ByKolles’ headquarters in Greding, Germany.
ByKolles Le Mans hypercar racing car
Two versions are promised: the standard 320hp Vandervell S and a spicier 580hp Vandervell S Plus. Both offer four-wheel drive and a promised range of over 250 miles. 0-60 mph times are estimated at 4.9 seconds and 3.4 seconds respectively.
The exterior design is heavily inspired by 1980s rally icons like the Audi Sport Quattro and Lancia Delta S4, while the interior, which has yet to be revealed, is said to be lined with leather and carbon fibre.
The exterior will also feature carbon fiber elements, as well as 22-inch wheels.
ByKolles has also previously announced production plans for a street version of its proposed LMH race car. Dubbed the Vandervell 1000, a prototype was launched last September.
The original Vanwall was a British racing team whose drivers included Stirling Moss and Lotus founder Colin Chapman, and was the 1958 winner of the inaugural F1 Constructors’ Championship. This previous revival envisaged building a handful of continuation examples of Vanwall’s 1958 F1 car.