The BAC Mono is now available in Singapore

Singapore - A couple of months ago, we got word that NB Auto had been appointed as the official dealer for BAC (Briggs Automotive Company) for both Singapore and Malaysia.

Now, prospective customers can also place an order for one through NB Auto. So the lovely specimen you see here is up for grabs.

What you’re looking at is the BAC Mono R. The lighter, more powerful, more focused version of the single-seater Mono. Limited to just 40 units worldwide, this particular car has been customised by the good folks at NB Auto, resplendent in this lovely blue tinted carbon with gold accents and a monogrammed Merlion on the headrest.

From the looks of things, the Mono R appears nearly identical to the original Mono, with the most obvious visual difference being the turbine-shaped air dam on the left of the mid-mounted engine. However, our chat with Neill Briggs, co-founder of the Liverpool-based outfit, revealed that BAC has reworked numerous aspects of the Mono to improve its performance. Not that the previous car was a slouch by any means.

The original Mono produced 305 horsepower and had a power-to-weight ratio of 525bhp per tonne. This newer, faster model sees the addition of lightweight parts that include graphene-infused carbon fibre body panels that are 22% lighter than the panels on the previous car and new AP racing carbon ceramic brakes with lighter calipers. Even the gearbox housing itself is made of magnesium, and the car's construction consists of a combination of lightweight metals and composites to keep it lean.

BAC has retained the tubular steel chassis and double wishbone suspension arms (now with Eibach springs and adjustable Öhlins dampers), but the new car sees the implementation of 3D printed components on several aspects of the bodywork and intake system to further improve its power to weight ratio. As a result, the Mono R's dry weight (without fluids and a driver) tips the scales at just 555kg. As is, the new car has a power-to-weight ratio of 612bhp/ton.

Powering the Mono R is a Mountune sourced, 2.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated inline four-cylinder power unit. It starts out as a Ford Duratec engine but it’s been stripped of a large majority of components, given a shortened stroke and bored out to 2488cc. Other changes include a new billet crank, forged pistons and connecting rods. It’s also been mated to a 6-speed sequential gearbox, operated by 3D printed paddles on the back of the F1 style steering wheel and a clutch pedal.

The end result is a dry sumped engine that has a 9000rpm redline and produces 343bhp and 330Nm of torque. It also means that this gem of an engine has the highest specific output of any naturally aspirated four-pot in a series production car. This potent powertrain allows the Mono R to hit 0-100km/h in 2.5 seconds, though we’d highly recommend putting on a helmet before you attempt to take it for a spin.

All sounds exciting, doesn’t it. Well, we’ve got good news and bad news. Bad news is, the BAC Mono isn’t road legal for use in Singapore as of now. But the good news is, it isn’t subject to local taxes and fees because it’s not a road-going car. So no road tax, no ARF and no COE.

As such, the BAC Mono R starts from approximately S$300,000 before options. And yes, for a car that has basically no ‘cabin’ or creature comforts such as air conditioning or sat nav to speak of, there are plenty of options. We spent a good half an hour toying with a 3D rendering alongside Daniel Youd, BAC’s designer and bespoke specialist, creating a virtual rendition of our ideal Mono R.

Sadly, it’ll be a considerable amount of time before we could fork out the cash for one. But we won’t be putting a deposit down until the government gives the green light for the BAC Mono to hit the streets. We’d hazard a guess and say that it’ll cost upwards of S$900,000 if it does become road legal in Singapore.

We’ve had no word about how many units of the BAC Mono will be headed for our shores. But the total tally would be dependent on how many interested parties put a deposit down. It is a bespoke supercar after all. What we do know, is that there is one first-generation unit lurking within Singapore, and that this uniquely specced example of the Mono R is available for purchase.

PHOTOS Jay Tee