Vanwall wants to use Hyundai’s E-GMP

When Vanwall announced the market launch of the Vandervell in January 2023 for the third quarter of the same year, there was already a great deal of scepticism. Even then, the company promised two all-wheel-drive variants of the sporty compact model. However, apart from renderings, there was no further information on the planned production. Needless to say, the company did not meet the Q3 2023 deadline.

Even two years after the first presentation, series production is still not in sight, but the latest news has certainly made it a little more likely. Instead of developing the Vandervell on its own, the revitalised car brand has entered into a partnership with the Hyundai Motor Group and plans to use its E-GMP electric platform. The first prototypes have now been built, which remain close to the 2023 design.

Vanwall is still not disclosing much information, but the company has apparently secured access to the latest generation of the E-GMP. This is at least indicated by the performance figures given for the two slightly renamed models. The Vandervell H-GT has an output of 239 kW, which corresponds to the ‘regular’ version of the all-wheel drive based on the E-GMP with the 84 kWh battery. Vanwall even specifies 478 kW for the top-of-the-range Vandervell N-GT model – this is the drive from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Kia EV6 GT. There will also be an N-GT ‘Thin Wall Special’ – also with 478 kW, but weighing less than 2,000 kilograms. That suggests that the other two versions are above this mark.

In 2023, a Vandervell S with 235 kW and a Vandervell S Plus with 427 kW were announced, which would accelerate to 100 kph in 4.9 and 3.4 seconds, respectively. There was no information on the battery and charging capacity, only the range of 450 to 420 kilometres was mentioned. Now, the company does not specify the range, but the batteries’ energy content. However, the former should still be pretty much the same – the EV6 GT has a range of 450 kilometres. The peak charging power is 258 kW.

“The distinctive all-carbon fiber bodywork guarantees unprecedented weight optimisation in this vehicle category,” the company writes. “The efficient aerodynamics, sporty chassis and significantly lower weight both increase the range and release the performance of a racing car at the push of a button. The goal is to convey pure emotion combined with ultimate driving pleasure.” All versions will be fitted with 22-inch rims and high-quality materials in the interior – after all, Vanwall announces that each model will only be made to customer specifications.

“I was always a convinced petrol-head through my F1 involvement and activities in other racing categories, and thus I was initially a critic of EVs. However, I now have to say that I’m a convert,” says Colin Kolles, who is behind the Vanwall relaunch. “We wanted to create something new and extreme to achieve heightened emotions and driving pleasure. The development of these electric cars opened up a new world for me. The reactions of people who have seen the Vanwall Vandervell are overwhelming. People stop in amazement when they see this car. Thus I know that we have created something truly great and unique, not only from a performance point of view, but also in terms of styling.”

However, the company has not yet stated when and where the Vandervell will be built. In 2023, it said, the cars would be manufactured in Germany.

Source: information per e-mail