The Crittenden Automotive Library

Lyonheart K - Isn't it actually a bit rubbish?

Topics: Lyonheart K

Lyonheart K - Isn't it actually a bit rubbish?

Matt Hubbard
Speedmonkey
March 27, 2013

Everybody's getting excited about the new Lyonheart K but we'd like to swim against the tide and suggest that, actually, it's a bit rubbish.

The facts: Lyonheart plan to make 250 units. The K is based on the XKR, has an aluminium body and shares the XKR's engine, albeit breathed on by Cosworth to produce 575bhp. It will do 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds and hit a limited top speed of 186mph. The cost - £307,000 for the coupe and £320,000 for the convertible.

A Jaguar XKR-S coupe costs £97,000 and the convertible is £103,000. It has 550bhp and does 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds.

For the price of one Lyonheart K you can buy three fantastic looking (and sounding, and handling) XKR-Ss. And what do you get? A faux E-type body shell, 20 inch wire wheels and a hideous interior. Would you take a look at that steering wheel?

If you want an E-type, buy an E-type for £100,000 or, even better, buy an Eagle E for £250,000. It's an E type rebuilt from scratch to an exacting specification with updated mechanicals but remaining true to the original design. Ian Callum, Jaguar's über designer of the modern era, says of the Eagle E-type Speedster: "If I were to have an E-type, for example, it would have to be the Eagle Speedster - I just love that car. It’s just how I would have designed it; it taking the E-type Jaguar’s purity to a whole new level"

So why the hell would you buy a Lyonheart K? It's the Emperor's New Clothes, fake Roman columns, mock Tudor house, the fake gills on the new Range Rover and a fake Ferrari made from a Toyota MR2 all wrapped into one bundle of faux English heritage.

If you want the real thing buy the real thing. If you want a poorly designed copy you've got no taste.