Ford Sierra RS500 reborn as sub-tonne, carbon-bodied showcase

The legendary Ford Sierra RS500 is being reborn as a carbonfibre-bodied technological tour de force, with input from Cosworth and a target weight of less than a tonne.

A group of British automotive firms have partnered to create the outlandish reimagined 1980s super-saloon, which has been dubbed the Carbon Piranha. 

Based on chassis #148 of the 500 Sierra RS500s built (hence the project's Vision148 strapline), the Carbon Piranha will "showcase bleeding-edge manufacturing and materials technology", its creators said. 

It isn't clear what condition chassis #148 is in, but the project's website shows it covered in dust and missing some parts, suggesting it hasn't been on the road in some time. 

It will be "recycled, reimagined and rebuilt" as an outlandish, retro show car that looks to take heavy influence from old-school touring cars while subtly modernising the hot Sierra's look.

ASM Auto Recycling, based in Oxfordshire, will disassemble the car and 3D-scan every panel and component to create a digital twin, which will then in turn be used as a template for a new carbonfibre body shell, designed by London-based studio Yasid Design. 

The final car will then be built by Silverstone-based Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC), a supplier of lightweight, high-strength components to the aerospace, high-end automotive and motorsport industries. 

This company's additive manufacturing and prototyping methods will be crucial to achieving a sub-1000kg target weight - more than 210kg down on the original steel-bodied car. 

Original engine supplier Cosworth will take the lead on rebuilding the RS500's 224bhp 2.0-litre turbo four, although there's no word yet on any plans for a boost in performance.  

Cosworth global director Nick Greenway said: “Cosworth is celebrating over 65 years, and it all started with motorsport, which led us through Ford ownership, Cossies and the aftermarket. And we know that there is a passionate fan base out there for the Cosworth brand. And what better way to celebrate a road and race icon than through the Vision148 RS500 project build?"

The creators of the Vision148 project haven't yet put a timeframe on its completion.