Vanwall Vandervell Is the Lovechild of a Lancia Delta and a Starship
Image Credit: Vanwall.
Temperamental Italian superbikes, aircraft held together with hope and duct tape - I've seen it all. But this, this Vanwall Vandervell… well, it's got me raising an eyebrow, I'll tell you that much.
Vanwall, you might recall, was a legendary British racing team back in the '50s, conquering the Formula 1 world. Now, they're back, reincarnated as an electric vehicle manufacturer. And their first offering? The Vandervell, an electric hot hatch that looks like it's been ripped straight from a futuristic rally stage. And I can't stop staring at it.
Curious thing - this beast is built on the same platform as Hyundai's Ioniq 5, which is a rather decent starting point. But Vanwall has taken that foundation and gone absolutely bonkers with it. They've draped the whole thing in a custom carbon fiber body that screams Lancia Delta Integrale. It's all flared fenders, quad headlights, and aggressive lines. They've taken a classic rally car, modernized it quite a bit, and then given it a hefty dose of steroids. Automotive perfection, that's what it is.
Image Credit: Vanwall.
The Vandervell comes in three delicious flavors. The base model - if you can even call it that - the H-GT, delivers a respectable 320 horsepower. Not exactly earth-shattering, but enough to get you into trouble. Then there's the N-GT, which is where things get hot. This one gets 641 horsepower, matching the Ioniq 5 N. That's more than sufficient to rearrange your internal organs, trust me.
And then, there's the Thin Wall Special, a lightweight version that sheds some pounds for even more exhilarating performance. They haven't given us the exact weight yet, but they're claiming it's under 4,409 lbs. Just in case you were wondering - the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N tips the scales at 5,082 lbs or nearly 700 lbs more.
And then there's the styling. Those 22-inch gold wheels! And the carbon fiber bodywork is pure aggression. The Vandervell looks a bit like a Transformer that's halfway through transforming into a Lancia Delta. Is it a head-turner? Nah, it's a neck snapper. It's a stomp-on-your-brakes and point-your-fingers conversation starter.
Vanwall hasn't released many details about the interior, but they're promising high-quality materials like leather and velour. I'm picturing something luxurious, but with a sporty edge. Hopefully, it won't be too similar to the Ioniq 5's interior, which is a bit… bland, if I'm being honest.
Image Credit: Vanwall.
Now, for the burning question: how much will this electric dream machine set you back? You better be sitting down for this one. The rumors are swirling around the $133,000 mark which is nearly double the Ioniq 5 N's sticker price. But all that custom carbon ain't Aldi special, and they're only planning to build 500 of them. So, if you want one, you'd better start buttering up your bank manager.
Vanwall's founder, Dr. Colin Kolles, says he wants to create a car that can be driven like a luxury limousine or a rally car. That's a pretty ambitious goal, but if they can pull it off, the Vandervell could be something truly special. Heck - it already is special, and I'd sell my liver to get my hands on one.
But here's the thing: you know I'm always a bit skeptical when a new company comes along and promises to revolutionize the automotive world. You and me, we've seen so many of them come and go. Many people, including myself, have been burnt by promises and glitzy press releases. But Vanwall has a history, a legacy. And they've got some serious talent behind them. So, maybe, just maybe, they can pull it off.
Image Credit: Vanwall.
I'm not going to lie, I'm excited to see what Vandervell can do. It's built on one of the most fun electric cars out there, and that is a simple recipe for success. But I'm also keeping my expectations in check. After all, we've all seen electric vehicles that promise the moon but deliver a lukewarm cup of tea.
The Vandervell is intriguing. It's a bit bonkers, a bit over the top, and a bit… well, it's definitely something different. It's an electric hot hatch that looks like it's been beamed from the future. It's got a ridiculous amount of power, a crazy carbon fiber body, and a price tag that will make your eyes water. But if Vanwall can deliver on its promises, it could be one of the most exciting electric vehicles on the market.
