Zenos revives lightweight E10 for 2027 with 300‑hp and 380‑hp manual models

Zenos, now under AC Cars, has announced a 2027 revival of its ultra‑light E10 sports car with reservations open and first deliveries slated for the second quarter of that year. The lineup includes two six‑speed manual‑only variants – the entry‑level E10 r2 and the high‑output E10 rZ – both built on a carbon‑fibre tub and extruded aluminium chassis that weigh about 1,742 pounds. The r2 is powered by a 2,261‑cc Ford EcoBoost four‑cylinder delivering 300 hp and 313 lb‑ft of torque, and Zenos claims a 0‑to‑62 mph time of 3.8 seconds. The rZ uses a 1,969‑cc Volvo‑sourced turbo four from Horse Powertrain, putting out 380 hp and 376 lb‑ft, with a claimed 3.2‑second 0‑to‑62 mph sprint. Both versions share a top speed of roughly 150 mph and a power‑to‑weight ratio near 480 hp per metric ton, outpacing rivals such as the Nissan Z. Prices in the United Kingdom start at £115,900 ($153,400) for the r2 and £129,900 ($172,000) for the rZ, positioning them well above other lightweight sports cars like the Mazda MX‑5. Zenos will only register the E10 for road use in the UK; all other markets will receive a track‑only version, meaning American buyers must wait for any future road‑legal approval. The refreshed E10 retains its open cockpit and manual gearbox but adds new carbon‑fibre body panels, charge‑cooled engines, a digital Aim instrument cluster and hand‑assembled aluminium chassis parts sourced from China and built in Bognor Regis, West Sussex. The company was founded in 2013 by former Caterham and Lotus engineers Mark Edwards and Ansar Ali, went bankrupt in 2016, and was acquired by AC Cars’ Alan Lubinsky in 2017 before this latest revival. ## Context The E10’s return follows a pattern of small‑batch British manufacturers first seeking UK homologation and later considering wider markets, a strategy that keeps development costs low while catering to enthusiasts who value raw, lightweight performance.