Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/634989
up by the soundtrack of a 505-horsepower LS7 or the silent whoosh of a 310 kilowatt motor in a Tesla Model S. One of the NP01's initial design criteria was that the car be fast — and boy, is it. We tested the Élan NP01 at Buttonwillow Raceway November 17, using the No. 24 configuration. Essentially, it's the western half of the track using the Sweeper and omitting Phil Hill for safety reasons. Firing the car is easy. Switch on the ignition, let the fuel pump cycle, then thumb the starter toggle. Depress the clutch, grab the shifter and give it a firm tug to engage first gear and then coax it into motion. It's not difficult to get it going, but it's not difficult to stall it, either. The dry, multi-plate clutch clatters a bit when disengaged, but it feels linear and isn't overly grabby. Idle speeds are slightly elevated, but there isn't enough camshaft overlap create a lumpy idle, which makes a racecar more finicky. The NP01 uses a Sadev SL75 gearbox with the no-lift- shift feature, which is a joy to use once you get used to it, and that doesn't take more than a lap or so. The no-lift feature doesn't begin to work until 4,500 rpm, 2,400 shy of redline, so if you're going to short-shift it, use the clutch. Full-throttle upshifts will have you smiling in no time. "Look ma, no clutch!" Developed for Formula 3 competition, the Sadev gearbox will change how you feel about a traditional H-pattern transmission. The Sadev is slick and positive, and provides a little kick in the backside with each upshift. It requires a pretty firm tug, but it's a hoot, and the downshifts are even more fun because they don't require a clutch, either. Just blip the throttle about 20 percent with your right foot, brake with your left, and nudge the shifter forward. Bang, you're down one gear. Just as you must release the trigger on a semiautomatic pistol to fire another round, you have to release pressure on the shifter before initiating another downshift, but that's about all it takes to master downshifting. The Wilwood pedal set is kart-like in that travel is minimal and feel takes some getting used to. With no power assist, the brakes are still immensely strong, yet don't require herculean effort, either. I never locked up the brakes, so I guess I got the hang of it OK. In terms of grip, this car has it in gobs. Again, this was not my car, and I didn't want to be "that guy," so I drove it accordingly. I still managed to NASA Director of Business Development Jeremy Croiset briefs the attending journalists on the new Élan NP01 prototype racecar. Jeremy Croiset chats with Motor Trend writer and pro race driver Randy Pobst before he heads out on track. 45