British sportscar-maker Zenos has returned with its E10 open-topped roadster after going into administration in 2017. The company now offers two models: the 300bhp E10 r2 and the 380bhp E10 rZ.
The E10 r2 starts at £115,900, while the range-topping E10 rZ starts at £129,900. Both cars retain the core elements of the original design, which cost around £45k in 2017. Even allowing for the hyperinflation of the last decade, a hundred big ones is a lot of money.
The base Zenos E10 r2 features a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-pot engine with 300bhp and 313lb ft, inside a car weighing 790kg. This results in a power-to-weight ratio of 380bhp-per-tonne, allowing the car to go from 0-62mph in 3.8s and reach a top speed of 150mph. The engine reaches its peak 300 bhp at about 6,000 rpm, a rev range that helps extract the maximum performance from the lightweight chassis.
The E10 rZ has a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with 380bhp and 376lb ft, achieving a 0-62mph time of 3.2s and a top speed of 150mph. It also has a power-to-weight ratio of 480bhp-per-tonne. The rZ’s 2.0-litre unit is a blown four-pot, a configuration that underpins its aggressive output.
Both models feature pushrod suspension with inboard-mounted dampers, coilovers, a six-speed gearbox, and a limited slip diff. They also have a significant amount of carbon fibre in the body and tub, as well as new lights, indicators, and weatherproof switchgear. Brake dimensions have been increased compared with the previous iteration, delivering stronger stopping power to match the higher speeds. Exterior refinements include side skirts, winglets and a redesigned dash, while new colourways give owners more personalization options, and the model can be specified for either left- or right-hand drive. The weatherproof switchgear is sealed to protect electronic controls from rain and wind, key for an open-topped roadster.
Zenos states that the 2027 Zenos E10 range provides high-performance and advanced engineering at a time when new, pure-bred sports cars are increasingly rare. The company notes that the two turbocharged models offer a phenomenally effective power-to-weight ratio. Zenos emphasizes that the cars remain unashamedly petrol-powered, a stance that sets them apart in an era increasingly dominated by electrification. The limited-slip differential works in concert with the pushrod suspension to optimise traction during aggressive cornering.