The Mono, a single-seater supercar developed by the Briggs Automotive Company (BAC), is currently being showcased at the Monterey Car Week 2023, marking the introduction of the brand’s latest creation.
Engineered and crafted with the aim of delivering an unparalleled BAC driving experience, the Mono stands as the cornerstone of the company’s primary product lineup as it continues its global expansion endeavors.
The driving force behind the Mono’s creation has been the collective desire of international clientele for a road-legal single-seater supercar that seamlessly transitions between road and track use. Whether navigating mountain passes or conquering challenging circuits, the Mono is designed to excel in both environments.
Informed by the foundational principles of the original Mono concept, a pivotal aspect of BAC’s storied history dating back over a decade, the new Mono supercar strikes a harmonious equilibrium between extremes. It employs a meticulously engineered package that embodies poised power, presenting an evolved design language for the latest generation.
Guided by BAC’s distinct “one-of-a-kind” philosophy, the development of the Mono has been painstakingly executed to solidify its status as the flagship offering from BAC, satisfying the demand for a single-seater supercar that balances diverse extremes.
According to Neill Briggs, co-founder and head of product development at BAC, the Mono encapsulates the quintessential attributes embedded in the BAC DNA: high-performance, lightweight engineering, a dynamic chassis, optimized suspension, and an emotive design. Furthermore, the Mono establishes a connection with an innovative BAC driving experience that effortlessly transitions from road to track. Neill emphasizes that the new supercar pays homage to the original BAC Concept, underscoring its enduring relevance. The Mono, in his words, is a solitary force of excellence, engineered for equilibrium yet developed for extremities.
At its core, the Mono features a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter powertrain meticulously fine-tuned to deliver optimal power and torque, whether on-road or on-track. With a rev range reaching an exhilarating 8,000rpm, the powertrain generates 320PS (311hp) and 313Nm (231 lb-ft) of torque, ensuring linear and progressive performance across varying driving conditions. Advanced enhancements, including precision-engineered forged connecting rods and pistons, performance-oriented camshafts, upgraded valve springs, and an aerodynamically optimized carbon fiber inlet, comprise the intricate design of the powertrain.
Exemplifying BAC’s signature innovation, the Mono’s power output culminates in an astonishing power-to-weight ratio of 546hp-per-tonne, endowing the supercar with a svelte weight of merely 570kg (1,257lbs). The impeccably balanced weight distribution of 41% front and 59% rear contributes to the Mono’s agile yet composed demeanor.
Facilitated by its lightweight structure, partially achieved through graphene-infused carbon panels pioneered by BAC, coupled with its high-performance capabilities, the Mono achieves a blistering 0 to 60mph acceleration in a mere 2.7 seconds.
Echoing the enhancements made to the powertrain, a plethora of engineering optimizations provide the bedrock for the new supercar’s performance.
Central to BAC’s DNA is its distinctive state-of-the-art suspension and damping system, an internally developed technology that has evolved significantly over a decade. Continuous refinement of the geometry arrangement has yielded 50% more anti-dive on the front and 50% more anti-squat on the rear, amplifying body control, optimizing handling performance, and enhancing accessibility. Both the suspension and two-way adjustable racing dampers have been meticulously calibrated for the Mono to offer an unparalleled driving experience on both road and track. Employing an adjustable pushrod-activated twin wishbone system with needle roller-bearing mounting bell cranks to minimize frictional losses, the rear suspension retains the six-speed motorsport-derived sequential transmission, customizable to the owner’s preferences. A collaborative effort with Pirelli has resulted in a selection of tires tailored to the Mono, ranging from the Mono-specific Trofeo R tire to slick and wet options.
The new Mono features a refined aesthetic treatment inspired by the brand’s contemporary design language, first introduced with the more track-focused Mono R. Reflecting the well-balanced engineering of the BAC supercar, the Mono’s design exhibits a more understated yet elegantly curved form while retaining its futuristic profile, embodying the Mono Concept’s ethos of a BAC single-seater supercar equally adept on both road and track.
The iconic shark-nose front, a hallmark of the brand, visually aligns the Mono with the Mono R, as do the centrally mounted main LED beam headlights designed to reduce the frontal area. Meticulous attention has been given to every element and surface to optimize aerodynamics. The rear boasts an aerodynamically optimized spoiler that extends over the rear arches, adding a striking finishing touch to the new supercar.
Production of the Mono supercar has already commenced at BAC’s headquarters facility in Liverpool, UK, with global orders already in place, testifying to the anticipation and enthusiasm surrounding this latest achievement by the Briggs Automotive Company.