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Elemental Motor Company is a low-volume British hand-built sports car manufacturer, founded on November 28, 2012, by former McLaren F1 team engineer John Begley and former McLaren F1 aerodynamics engineer Mark Fowler. Its headquarters is located in a pastoral workshop in Hambledon, Hampshire.
Centered on the core concept of “Race Project One” (the origin of the RP1 name), the brand is committed to building the most advanced open-cockpit, road-legal race car globally, featuring an ultimate power-to-weight ratio. Elemental adheres to the philosophy of being “born for the track, legally road-legal.” The vehicle avoids excessive reliance on electronic aids, aiming to restore the most primitive driving pleasure.
Simultaneously, the brand operates as an independent design and engineering consulting company. With only eight employees, it stands as a typical example of a hand-built, low-volume automobile manufacturer.
In 2012, two engineers from McLaren founded Elemental in Hampshire, leveraging their experience with composite materials and aerodynamics accumulated on the track. In June 2014, the brand’s first prototype, the RP1, was unveiled globally at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Over the next two years, the team conducted deep engineering redesigns and wind tunnel validation for the vehicle.
In 2016, the fully optimized production version reappeared at the same Goodwood event, with the final production model featuring two Ford EcoBoost powertrain options. The first customer car was officially delivered in 2017. In 2020, the brand partnered with Apex Motors to co-develop the AP-0 electric concept car. In 2021, Elemental officially announced the launch of the RP1 EV pure electric project.
All Elemental mass-produced cars are developed for customization completely around the RP1 single platform, providing power options for different usage scenarios:
1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine version: Based on the Ford 1.0-liter EcoBoost 3-cylinder engine, maximum power 180 hp, matched with a 6-speed sequential gearbox, kerb weight approx. 540 kg, 0-100 km/h acceleration 3.2 seconds, top speed 233 km/h. This version focuses on extreme lightweighting and pure handling feedback.
2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine version: Based on the Ford 2.0-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, maximum power 280-320 hp (final production version reaches approx. 345 hp), torque 440 N·m (approx. 332 lb·ft), matched with a Hewland 6-speed sequential gearbox, 0-100 km/h acceleration only 2.8 seconds, top speed approx. 266 km/h, dry weight approx. 580-620 kg. Later facelift versions switched to the Ford 2.3-liter engine, further boosting output to approx. 375 hp.
RP1 EV Pure Electric Version: Development plan announced in 2021, adopting the original carbon fiber chassis architecture, equipped with 800V electrical architecture, featuring a 40 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, motor output 570 hp, whole vehicle kerb weight approx. 875 kg (increased by approx. 250 kg compared to the fuel version). Range can reach 180 miles (approx. 290 km), track mode can complete 20 laps at full speed on the Silverstone GP track. 0-100 km/h acceleration only takes 2.5 seconds, battery charged to 80% power takes approx. 1 hour.
Elemental's total production capacity is extremely limited, with a design annual capacity of only approx. 15-25 units. All orders are completed directly by customers and the factory for customization. Tentative price is approx. £77,250, actual transaction price fluctuates with customer options. Sales of the RP1 in North America face obstacles — in the factory plan, the RP1 will not be sold to the US market, only supplied to Europe and other right-hand drive markets. Major competitors are locked as KTM, BAC Mono, and Vuhl, etc., all hand-built light sports cars positioned similarly as "road-legal race cars". As of 2025-2026, the brand has not announced cumulative sales, still maintaining a micro independent operating status.
Elemental's core technology is condensed in "CarbonAl patented composite material, feet-up driving position, and aerodynamic chassis" three dimensions.
CarbonAl is Elemental's self-developed patented composite material technology. Its carbon fiber monocoque is made by bonding custom engineering carbon fiber side pods and dashboard with an integrated crossbeam, while the floor is formed by splicing laser-cut composite aluminum honeycomb panels. This cockpit monocoque weighs only 65 kg while meeting FIA professional strength standards. This technology subverts the traditional autoclave curing production method for carbon fiber — by CNC pre-cutting carbon fiber fabric and then press-forming in a silicone vacuum bag at 6 bar pressure, it not only ensures fiber orientation accuracy but also greatly reduces manufacturing costs and material waste.
Feet-up driving position is a breakthrough design that directly applies the posture of traditional formula racing cars and Le Mans prototypes to road vehicles. The driver's foot position is higher than the traditional sitting posture, leaving critical airflow passage space for the large front and rear diffusers in the whole vehicle aerodynamic chassis. The RP1 standard version can generate approx. 400 kg of downforce. After an exterior upgrade participated by former McLaren F1 aerodynamics expert Mark Taylor, later version downforce was further increased to the 1,000 kg level.
Regarding chassis and suspension, the vehicle uses double wishbone suspension with Nitron shock absorbers and Eibach springs. The braking system is equipped with Caparo 4-piston calipers and 280 mm brake discs, paired with 17-inch lightweight wheels and 235/45R17 performance tires. The frame at the rear of the engine adopts a modular design, allowing convenient replacement of the power unit to adapt to different power systems.
Elemental headquarters, engineering R&D, and low-volume manufacturing are all concentrated in a factory in Hampshire countryside. The brand also operates as a subsidiary of Elemental Group Ltd, engaging in design and engineering consulting services. Due to the brand's extremely small scale and lack of US/EU certification scale, RP1 overseas sales focus mainly on European right-hand drive markets, do not supply the US market, and have not established any dealers, representative offices, or production branches in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2016, the brand delivered the RP1 to its first US customer in Florida.
As of 2026, Elemental Motor Company's electrification transformation direction is clear. The RP1 EV project released in 2021 is currently in the process of engineering development promotion. Technical Director John Begley emphasized that, unlike the technical route on the market that continuously increases battery capacity and adds vehicle weight, the RP1 EV will prioritize lightweighting and chassis dynamic performance. Meanwhile, Elemental continues to provide design and engineering support to external clients. The 2020 AP-0 concept car project demonstrated the brand's engineering output capability in the pure electric supercar field. The brand is expected to continue maintaining a low-output model of 15-25 units annually, and is committed to delivering the electrified version of the RP1 into the hands of hardcore enthusiasts waiting to "silent race" on the track.
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