BAC Mono R - the fastest car we've ever driven I evo LEADERBOARD

Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche... They don't stand a chance against BAC Mono R, the purest definition of a race car for the road. To see just how fast it is, we sent Steve Sutcliffe to Anglesey circuit.
Read our review of the BAC Mono R at the link below, and don't forget to buy your copy of evo from www.evo-shop.co.uk (because that's what pays the bills to make these films).
www.evo.co.uk/bac/mono-r
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[@kevin6666123]

A car company has made a car lighter? A rarity these days

[@slowdownnn11]

almost 2 seconds faster than a P1 GTR... kinda makes the track versions of exotics look a little silly. feels like a reminder that exotics are about passion, some showiness, and being reasonably fast with 2 seats and a large platform - but it begs the question of why they all ditched the manuals in favor of laptimes, when it's clear the REAL formula for laptimes is this... lightweight, pseudo-open-wheel. I get that a 2-seater track version of an exotic is way more practical than this for traveling to and from the track, but still - if what you care about is laptimes and track excitement, this is obviously the way to go. Exotic track versions would make more sense if they owned the passion and driving engagement angle, and sacrificed a little laptime by going back to manuals, adding a little comfort, etc. Just makes more sense, rather than bragging about laptimes but getting demolished by a little 4-cylinder.

[@Rezcuz]

So you don't think the circuit makes any difference?

[@r129r16pfl]

Gordon Murray knows this, that's why GMA T50 will be legendary.

[@evoemperor3776]

Whut single seater no roof is not silly?🤣

[@adamcollingburn430]

A P1 GTR was designed for large international tracks like Spa, Monza etc. put them against them there and the gap would just as big but in the McLarens favour. Doesn’t take away from the Mono - if you want the ultimate track toy that you can drive to most UK circuits, set the fastest lap of the day and then drive it back home, there’s nothing better it seems …unless it’s raining 😅

[@jponz85]

Bring the porsche 919 hybrid evo. Will make this thing look even more silly

[@MultipleMadness1]

I’ve wanted one of these for years now and this version is absolutely incredible… time to sell the house

[@Zebpro]

Just Sell everything, you just need this thing to be a happy man who loves cars and performances to be honest!!! ;-)

[@jponz85]

Yup, fuck your bed, living room, 2 car garage house with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms with a nice backyard. All you need is this car. Sleep in it, and make the wife and kids walk. You'll be super happy

[@lensoprezole5322]

@@jponz85 LOL

[@lensoprezole5322]

SJ : sell your kids too 👍👍

[@cdjhyoung]

You had a nice house there Bloke. Hope you save enough back for a tent.

[@JamesNot007]

The lesson we learned today (again) is that a beefed up go-cart can go faster around the track than the car can.

[@kalmmonke5037]

more resonable than stuff like mclaren p1. it is road legal by the way. gordon murray t50 is only better car even in just driving fun alone

[@justadummy8076]

Well yes, there’s a surprising amount of weight in doors, roofs, windows, more than one seat, etc…

[@cdjhyoung]

The lessen (re) learned today is that Colin Chapman was right: design in lightness.

[@bobdobbs69]

The lesson is making downforce at 0mph! Wait until the McMurtry Spierling gets a shot around Anglesey!

[@marcog1742]

@@kalmmonke5037 nothing reasonable about, cost way to much, not versatile, it should be priced slightly above the best motorcycles

[@TheDoosh79]

An interesting (but not cheap) feature would be to take this to various European F1 tracks and see how it stacks up to old F1 qualifying laps, how recent would it compete, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s etc.??

[@neilbardsley]

It would be so far behind. Less down force and power

[@joat9105]

I'd say 60s

[@neverenoughgames72]

​@@neilbardsley less downforce than the 60's? Not sure about that.

[@albertoamadio]

The Top speed of BAC Mono R is 275 km/h. In the 2023 Belgian Gran Prix Max Verstappen topped at 340. An F1 car would destroy this car. It's not even close.

[@hhkk6155]

Really good idea 💡 would be very interesting to watch

[@philiphillier8127]

Many years ago I dreamt of building a single seater for the road/track. There was the Rocket by Gordon Murray but until the Mono came along not really anything else. To cut a long story short, I saw a Mono at a show. I immediately knew their car was my ideas but also was executed so much more fantastically than I could ever dreamed. Never had to bother with my own ideas, BAC does it better! Wish I had the money! Check one out if you get the chance, you will be gobsmacked. GO BAC!

[@carlossol999]

I've been eyeing a formula mazda and dreaming of making it street legal.

[@Sleepy_spartan717]

You’re forgetting about the arial atom. Now coming in with a turbo k series motor from Honda, I think it would be very competitive at a much smaller hit to the wallet.

[@GeordieAmanda]

I saw 'BAC Mono R,' then read 'EVO' and of course I made a dash to the video as I just knew it would be Steve....YAY! Great sound quality from inside the helmet too :) and "Crikey me!" that thing changes direction faster than the prime Minister!

[@Poorschedriver]

That squirm under braking looked terrifying, especially with a building off to the right. Good job holding it together that little bastard looks like a handful. Also its amazing how stunningly beautiful Anglesey is.

[@bobdobbs69]

Car is undertired, and under-downforced. lol!

[@zounds13]

Loved seeing the tail come out under braking, reminded me of my karting days.

[@5thgearouttahere]

or a stock Toyota 86 😁 Sometimes feels like rallying on dirt to the apex, huge fun

[@zounds13]

@@5thgearouttahere or my Golf R if I trail brake aggressively enough,

[@5thgearouttahere]

@@zounds13 👍🏼

[@bakedandsteaked]

@@zounds13 I love front wheel drive lift off/trail brake oversteer. People don't understand that those lightweight fwd cars can be absolute weapons on the track with a good driver. They just turn in so hard.

[@antonoat]

Outrageous speed, massive congrats Steve and BAC, amazing effort! 👏👍😀

[@ketchup5344]

Ive always loved this car-to drive it, especially round a circuit is the stuff of bucket lists. Beautifully filmed and presented video, good job!!!👍

[@AnonYmous-iw6rh]

YEEEESSS! LIGHTWEIGHT-NESS IS THE KEY! seems all the makers of sportscars have forgotten this concept. The modern philosophy is More Power > all

[@ZeeBri]

Thing looks like the biggest adrenaline pump this side of a superbike

[@Ankur3108]

The onboard was too good. And Steve is quite a driver. Throwing the car around. Bravo. Bravo.

[@nickfarrington2390]

Love the ultrawidescreen. Also love the Mono and Anglesey, good stuff!

[@ragobi4700]

audio isolation is nuts! props

[@MarMPB]

Impressive! While other journalists can talk our brains out with their feelings and sensations about a new car, Steve never fails to deliver lap times too, showing us what all that really means! Cheers!

[@TML34]

Damn, Steve almost binned it on that fast right hander. NICE!!💪

[@poione42]

Always had a soft spot for the Mono. Absolutely stunning looking 👌🏼

[@jaysonmarquez7524]

I saw one of these in Green today on the 5N San Diego 😫😫😫 just amazing

[@CYMRU619]

If you're testing it on slicks vs the other cars on uhp/semi slick tyres (bar Mclaren P1 GTR) then what's the point? It was only 0.8 secs faster than the regular mono on road legal tyres, is it actually any faster on the same tyre around Angelsey?

[@hydroruf]

Funny how they omitted that. They either stupid or doing what their told.

[@Stratocasterhead51]

Yes it is, but as ever, you get diminishing returns. Also if i may add, why would you not lap your sports cars on slicks. All tests should be done on track tyres. These hyper aggressive semi slicks (trofeo R, Cup 2R) only last a handful of laps before they are cooked anyway. You realistically get more endurance on full slicks. There is actually an interview with the Ex-Stig where he explains that the new hyper powerful cars (650bhp and more) actually only get a very limited amount of laps before the tyre starts to fall off a cliff in terms of performance. A lightweight, low power sports car can pound around until you run out of petrol = you get much closer to the theoretical limit of the car.

[@CYMRU619]

@@Stratocasterhead51 I think you missed my point. I agree that slicks are the better tyre for the job. Just don't see the point of a lap time leaderboard if you test one car on slicks and the others on inferior tyres.

[@Stratocasterhead51]

@@CYMRU619 You will never get accurate laptimes for comparison. Too many variables, temperature, humidity, driver skill (especially considering they are mostly journalists)… I agree they should all be on the same tyres. But this is an ideal world which will not reflect true life. You could also complain how some cars use more road biased tyres and some semi slicks which are worthless in anything except perfect weather

[@tictoc677]

wow i dont watch laps but i watched that and it was sick. thank you and thank bac.

[@BAND-MAID-USA]

This is mental and worth every cent. The cars that it’s quicker than is mind blowing.

[@tepes141]

As close to motorsport as a road car can be! Stunning performance! What about McLaren Senna? Would it be possible a track test with it?

[@TheMightyJoggernaut]

Would love to see the Radical RXC with 650 bhp on slicks! That would be awesome!

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

The road legal car from Praga would be interesting too.

[@TheMightyJoggernaut]

@@Mgoblagulkablong that's true - I contacted them once and asked about buying one, but they said that it was a one off

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

I just remembered, Dallara builds a similar car, Dallara Stradale, would be interesting too.

[@augustortiz]

@@Mgoblagulkablong we need the new Praga Bohema!

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

@@augustortiz True!

[@Tatexo77]

After watching this you see the new Bmw M2 1800 kg… and… ups, what a difficult future we are facing… great video!

[@benchaggaresmusic]

This is cool, but I'd have a different track weapon that was just released today. Ducati's new V4R

[@aet350z]

Wonderful piece of engineering 😎👍🏻 I remember seeing one of these pacing it around Oulton Park…. being chased down by a lightly modified Evo V. Once again proving you can have the fanciest toy on the block but unless the person behind the wheel really has the 🍒 to push it, you’ll never be the quickest 😉

[@gavinhowe5796]

Can't wait for mine to arrive in the Spring. Not sure the driver will live up to the car!

[@chadderton]

Epic reviewer + crazy car = awesome video

[@paulelverstone8677]

That.... is insane! I mean; I follow a lot of different car channels but I have never seen anything quite like that before. Performance aside; the styling of the car is equally jaw-dropping...

[@kalmmonke5037]

gma t50 is better

[@paulelverstone8677]

@@kalmmonke5037 you'd bloody hope so at £2.5million. Besides; yet to see one driven in anger yet (FoS doesn't count)...

[@xx-----------xx873]

@@kalmmonke5037 This do be 1/10 of the price lol

[@kalmmonke5037]

@@xx-----------xx873 value of each car stays high , like mclaren f1, so itl be easy to sell for same price it was brought for if not more

[@xx-----------xx873]

@@kalmmonke5037 Still 10x the price, if you want an investment you'd make more money in the stock market.

[@zakelwe]

Just add lightness. Saw a Zeno on the road last week, rare beast, same principle, hope BAC last the distance

[@tillyfoxtrotter]

Zenos.

[@SmallBlogV8]

Sorry to be a stick-in-the-mud, and I do love what BAC does generally... but isn't a bit dubious to be setting a road car's time on slicks?

[@gavinhowe5796]

Its fast on road tyres too. I saved 2-3 seconds by switching to softs rather than my road tyres in a Mono W.

[@Groagun]

This was fantastic!

[@peyeye]

I would like to see a laptime with the McMurtry Spéirling!!

[@augustortiz]

That thing is way too fast lol. It would be sub 1 minute without breaking a sweat.

[@BubuBarong]

More Steve please! Cheers from Italy

[@RobManser77]

Lots of comparisons to “high end single seaters” in this video. Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t the BAC Momo have a tubular spaceframe chassis? F3 and FR moved on from that twenty years ago, and the new price of both cars is less than this Mono. I used to own a Formula Renault with a full carbon tub and carbon bodywork, plus the aero wishbones this guy mentions and a sequential Sadev box - I paid £18k secondhand, plus a few thousand to rebuild it to ‘as new’ (minus the engine) and I think they were €60k brand new. I presume the cost of these is the low volume production and full road homologation - it’s certainly not the advanced tech.

[@BiggusD77]

They should test the Praga R1R on slicks, then. It's also a high-end single seater and a direct competitor to the BAC Mono.

[@NathanGibb]

LOVE IT!! What a wild little car, great video guys 🔥

[@e2rqey]

I wish they could have integrated the air intake on the left into the centerline of the car, like how F1 cars do it. The asymmetry due to the intake bothers me. (not like I could afford it anyways lol)

[@stoneeh]

What I would give for any of the car review channels to show us uncut, one camera angle onboard footage of timed laps.

[@seanc6754]

Well when the new ktm gtx comes out I hope y'all get to test it and see if this lap time still stands

[@MrFrankfurt13]

How much of that second or so lap time difference is due to slicks vs road legal semi slicks though?

[@shahano]

its not fair for it to be on slicks, not a good comparison

[@indopleaser]

First review ever watch without announcing which engine is in to car. is it a secret for marketing or are you guys embarrassed. no disrespect; great car whatever engine is inside. i like the technical portions of videos.

[@lucianwisniewski8693]

2.5l Mountune Ford Duratec 👍🏼

[@ryanmolloy5421]

Having driven a car with a hewland FTR I can tell you it is buttery buttery smooth. However, the maintenance can be annoying at times. The gears will last forever, and swapping ratios is quite easy. However, I don't recall the exact part, it is one of the pinions, is toast after a few thousand miles and has to be replaced. It is situated at the back of the gearbox, so hopefully the position of the gearbox in this allows for easy access. It isn't the worst thing on the planet, but it was a couple grand each time it needed to be changed, and this was almost 10 years ago. Maybe they have made some advancements on it since then (I would like to think they have). That is NOT a cheap gear box though, especially in magnesium form. I imagine it's about 45k if you bought it from hewland direct. That kind of power through that box is getting towards the upper limits of what it is capable of taking (again, speaking from what the spec was 10 years ago). Anymore torque and you would have to step up to the next level of gear box they have, and that one runs 60-90k.

[@BAC_Mono]

The issue is the oil system is a splash system and in road use, particularly at constant speed with few changes it doesn’t get enough lubrication to the rear bearing. The fix is to run a higher gear oil level 2.5 instead if 2.0 litres and fit a different breather system

[@Cloxxki]

For the spec improvements, the pace gain seems minimal. Track must have been properly less than with the other car. Or the slicks may have been relatively meh. What a beast though. They need to get bespoke road tyres to deal with the low weight but high speed downforce.

[@joshuasterling2144]

One of my favorites.

[@AndrewDBrown2020]

What a thing!!! It makes me smile....

[@Sleepy_spartan717]

I’d like to see how a new green arial atom with the new turbo type r motor would stack up. I have a feeling it would either match it or beat it by a small margin at a significantly lower price point.

[@richboy900]

Would you be able to see how fast a caparo T1 would lap the circuit. I still think that would be extremely quick despite being 15 years old

[@gountzas]

The lightness of this car sits heavy on my mind

[@olavo1mc]

Sutcliffe at the track is always a classic.

[@saltpeter500]

Add speed with lightness. Colin Chapman would love this car

[@automotiveaffairsshorts]

This is the kind of car that Colin Chapman would have admired… and something Lotus should look at doing!

[@nathan_middleton_]

Really like the BAC's, but I was more surprised to see Ethan and Jack from Car Throttle on production. How long has that been going on?

[@ALMX5DP]

Goodness, and all that on relatively skinny 205 section tires!

[@bicyclist2]

I've been a fan of this car since I first saw one reviewed on Top Gear. Too bad we don't get them here in the US. This car didn't need to get any lighter, or more powerful. The only people who will be able to appreciate these changes are professional race car drivers. I wonder how it compares to a top range Caterham or a KTM X-Bow. Thank you.

[@nitrostackr]

You can get them stateside!

[@s_t_r_a_y_e_d]

would be insane to someday see "trickle down" from F1 if we eventually get a BAC MONO K (Forced Induction + KERS/MGU-K/H)

[@BAC_Mono]

The Mono turbo is on it's way. It's going to take the Mono to a different level of performance I suspect.

[@georgesheffield1580]

A modernization of the Caterham 7 concept or a steetable formula 3/Atlantic 2 seater .

[@ddmk11]

Pop down to your local track day,,,thats one cheap evening at the bar

[@michaelteret4763]

More Steve, please.

[@bbb12345]

Perfect car. Wonder what time does a F1 can do there, just as comparison.

[@allensaunders449]

Always a fan of the this car

[@goddersgti]

Another classic from suttas, oh yeah, and B.A.C

[@chesspiece81]

The Mono was already insane, I can't imagine what this one is like. I'm not sure how much I like the intake box off to the side I feel like they could have integrated it better. Maybe on either side of the rollover hoop to give you more sound by ear, better flow on the bodywork, and smoother look. It wouldn't look quite so tacked on looking.

[@CatchMeNever]

Yeah I don’t know how I feel about the air box either. It does remind be of an f3? Car now

[@chesspiece81]

@@CatchMeNever yeah 100% Formula 2 and Formula 3. I know having something over the hoop wouldn't look right, but the hoop kind of tapers in on the sides. If they made a cover that housed the air dox and went out away from the hoop instead of on top or instead of the tacked on look of this it would not only look better but would have the induction noise coming from right behind the drivers head. Even with a helmet I bet you would hear it better than where that air box is placed. Plus with the effort spent making the suspension more aerodynamic you can't tell me that air box is the most aerodynamic design.

[@CatchMeNever]

@@chesspiece81 yeah maybe that’s something for gen 3 I guess

[@chesspiece81]

@@CatchMeNever It would be an improvement for sure.

[@bobdobbs69]

It's technically a perfectly podded duct. The reality is that the intake runners largely dictate the distance the podded intake is from the bodywork. They probably wanted to make more torque, so they went with a longer intake runner. That's kind of just an educated engineer guess, though.

[@peterbonnez]

Excellent

[@future62]

As a motorcyclist this thing speaks to me. It's a shame car buyers and regulations make stuff like this hard to mass produce. I'd happily give up bikes for something like this at an affordable price point. Give me a useful windscreen + tonneau roof... I'll bring the helmet and earplugs.... and I could drive something like this every day.

[@Tj930]

Good driving, Mr Sutty, sir. Tiny 'moment' there, but crikey.

[@brunofrati4275]

Amazing!

[@cuprashoe]

Just over 4 seconds quicker than a 765lt😳....Mental

[@jaslui119]

The lesson here is lightweight + P to W ratio is king! =)

[@valentinvas6454]

340 HP from a NA 4 cylinder is crazy. 100 HP more than the Honda S2000 from roughly 400cc larger displacement.

[@AJBtheSuede]

On a medium speed track, you gain about 2s per minute of laptime with a set of soft slicks compared to a set of Cup2R or Trofeo R's....

[@kevinho8582]

i love how it's called a road car but i'd be terrified driving that around trucks and having rock chips flying in my face

[@bobdobbs69]

Full face helmet or go home...with chipped teeth!

[@BAC_Mono]

@@bobdobbs69 It's fine, I drive mine back from trackdays on the M25 with just shatterproof sunglasses. Good idea not to smile, but it's hard not to grin when you're in a Mono!

[@bobdobbs69]

@@BAC_Mono Mind the tractor trailers...when their tires blow it's quite a show.

[@BAC_Mono]

I bet it is. I got caught in rain on the M6 it feels like someone throwing tiny needles at your face!

[@kevinho8582]

@@BAC_Mono wow definitely can't drive this without a helmet

[@kevinho8582]

i need to experience this car

[@ambulatiomortuus1916]

If remove this engine with the 2.0l 421hp - 500mn torque amg class A ? Ground to ground missile ?

[@jamespisano1164]

That's an outrageous HP/weight ratio. Looks amazing. Too much $ though.

[@jponz85]

Bring the porsche 919 hybrid evo. Will smash this car's time instantly. No need to wait for "anytime soon" like you mentioned at the end of this video

[@ormand3000]

If I could have only 5 cars, this is one of them.

[@antzcars8400]

Cheating a bit to put warmed up slick tyres on for the timed lap!

[@xaviermelendez2639]

That's sub-1300lb dry weight for us Yankees. Absolutely stunning car!!!

[@harpersneil]

The lesson in all this is that heavy af EV's are total BS. Fabulous video as always from EVO and nothing but love and respect for our home grown BAC.

[@JakobusVdL]

I don't think that is remotely 'the lesson'

[@proctortoad]

Seems like people forgot about the Caparo t1!

[@augustortiz]

I wonder what one of these things would be like with the GT3’s 4.0L flat six bolted behind it.

[@wizardindustriesusa]

Off balance and definitely slower around the track.

[@augustortiz]

@@wizardindustriesusa is the porsche engine that much heavier than the 2.5 duratec these cars use?

[@philippebeinaerts]

What a triumph

[@DonLee1980]

Just makes the standard Mono appear even better.

[@miljanivanko2312]

Steve the Man !

[@neilbenton1152]

Wow fantastic car I saw one of these at goodwood & the finish is stunning! We still can produce amazing cars in England 😍

[@lmc333]

I do want one... but the question is: are they going to do a BAC Mono EV ;)

[@JakobusVdL]

The BAC Mono is an exquisite piece of engineering, but very very expensive. Would you be allowed to run a Formula Ford as a trackday car, or do they have to be street legal?

[@CSum-em8jg]

Id love to see Seb Kimi and Nico Ros race these against each other. !!!!

[@johnm1008]

The new Ariel is going to have a jet engine but only for generating electricity. I was hoping that intake was a jet engine but used for thrust like God intended.

[@hanswurst5426]

How many entities do they assemble year to year?

[@demmersify]

I'm not doubting the guy who makes them, but I would like an explanation regarding the use of graphene. To be that material, it has to be one atom thick, otherwise it's just carbon graphite. Pretty sure those carbon panels are not one atom thick! And if it's a coating of graphene, well again, at just one atom thick, what would be the point? It's not like graphene is indestructible.

[@LexTNeville]

These are fantastic halo cars, but what's missing is a 2 seat road car, with some luggage space, using the same technologies and materials. Or what about a sub 1000kg 4 seat sports car? That'd be in a league of it's own.

[@gam88a]

There are plenty of other lightweight 2 seaters out there. Caterham 7’s (including Donkervoort, 7 Replicas, Westfield), Dallara and the Atom to name a few. This car as a single seater is just such an experience and so unique in what it gives you. I love driving them.

[@DrPittenstein]

Only 0.8 sec faster with slicks than the old Mono on Kumho Ecsta V700s (road legal treaded tyres) is not progress. 70bhp more and 60kg lighter, over twice the price of the original Mono. It doesn't add up.

[@skitz0299]

Depends on the track tbf, more corners + bac, more straights = normal sports car

[@Vicomobile]

BAC new Generation Awesome Car

[@kempez]

This looks amazing to drive on a track but imo calling it a road car, especially on slicks, is a bit of a push. Still, bet it’s brilliant on a track.

[@tillyfoxtrotter]

To think at launch this was a £79,000 car. Not that they sold any at that price as IIRC it went up in jumps of £20k everytime I looked. What is it now £300K?

[@9madness9]

1 of my lottery car for my garage.