One of the most interesting supercars of recent years that has always bordered on the edge of vaporware, looks like finally becoming a reality. Fraught with on-again-off-again production arrangements, management-changes, restructuring, redesign and refinancing for almost a decade, the Trident Iceni is finally slated for launch at the UK's Cholmondeley Pageant of Power on July 15.
At the heart of the sleek Iceni is a modified 550 bhp, GM 6.6 liter, twin-turbo diesel V8 running bio-fuel, and according to previously released info, the Iceni will run to 230 mph, accelerate from 0-60 mph in under four seconds, and deliver 70 mpg at a constant 70 mph. It will also have 100,000 mile service intervals, and is expected to sell for around US$150,000.
We're not sure whether the latest incarnation of the Iceni (named after the original tribe that inhabited the Norfolk area where the car will be built, if indeed it doesn't become extinct like the tribe it is named after) now has the type of backing that will see the long-term project reach a satisfactory conclusion, but our understanding is that numerous deposits have been taken from potential customers over the years, and automotive manufacturing stories don't have a lot of happy endings.
In the last known specification for the Iceni, it tipped the scales at just 1,480 kg, ran its power via an eight speed automatic transmission and produced its maximum torque of 1,286 Nm at just 1,800rpm.
Perhaps even more interesting than the usual static displays we see when a vaporware product launches, the Iceni will be demonstrated on track regularly throughout the POP weekend.
The 2011 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power runs July 15-17 July at Cholmondeley Castle, Malpas, Cheshire.
