The Vemac RD180: A Rare Sports Car with an Ingenious Design

⛔Rare GEMS💣 - The world of cars is vast, with numerous manufacturers producing countless models over the years. Some vehicles gain instant fame, while others remain obscure, known only to a few enthusiasts. One such lesser-known gem is the Vemac RD180, a sports car that stands out not only for its rarity but also for its unique design and engineering of the 2000s.

The Vemac RD180 was a design concept prototype and the styling was a mix of Porsche, Honda and Lotus with an elongated rear end. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

The Vemac Car Company was a low-volume Anglo-Japanese car manufacturer founded in 1998 by Osamu Hatakawa and Masao Ono, two employees of Tokyo R&D. Their goal was to create a road-going version of the Cadwell. It's a lightweight racing car designed by the company, named after Cadwell Park, a club racing circuit in the UK, the Cadwell had seen success on the track. Amateur racers, thrilled by the Cadwell's performance, wanted a similar machine for road use.

The Vemac RD180 featured a targa top similar to the Honda CRX (Del Sol), and even the windscreen could be detached, with a single aero-screen fitted for track use. (Picture from: Forum.Forza.net)

The Vemac RD180 was the first in a planned series of sports cars that were supposed to include the RD200, RD320, and RD350. However, only the RD180 and RD200 made it to limited production, with the RD320 and RD350 never seeing the light of day. Despite this, the RD180's unique characteristics and story make it a fascinating piece of automotive history. Furthermore, Vemac is noted for constructing race cars used in the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship and its successor, Super GT.

The Vemac RD180 opted for a lightweight space frame chassis, a mid-engined power plant, and a super lightweight body. (Picture from: Forum.Forza.net)

At its core, the RD180 was a design concept prototype, blending the styling cues of Porsche, Honda, and Lotus. Its elongated rear end was not just for aesthetics but had a functional purpose.At the time, Tokyo R&D's owner, with experience in developing the Dome's Le Mans sport racer and several Japanese F1 cars, understood the need for a European touch to make the car successful. He enlisted British designer Chris Craft, an English racer, and developer of the Rocket Sports Car with the famous Gordon Murray, to bring the road car to life.

The Vemac RD180's short rear end typically meant the weight was concentrated there, necessitating careful suspension work to manage the pendulum effect during hard driving. (Picture from: Auta5p.eu)

The design team aimed to create a sports racing car configuration with two seats. They opted for a lightweight space frame chassis, a mid-engined power plant, and a super lightweight body. This design allowed easy configuration for road or race use. 

Inside, the Vemac RD180 featured a subdued aesthetic with leather-upholstered seats for a cozy feel, three-spoke steering-wheel, and a center console with parts and switches from the Honda CRX (Del Sol). (Picture from: Supercars.net)

The car featured a targa top similar to the Honda CRX (Del Sol), and even the windscreen could be detached, with a single aero-screen fitted for track use. Sticking to its Japanese roots, the team chose a "local" engine from Honda.

The Vemac RD180 is powered by a 1.8-liter naturally-aspirated Honda VTEC engine that produced 180 hp. (Picture from: Forum.Forza.net)

Achieving the correct weight distribution was crucial. Mid-engined sports cars with lower power ranges often mimic rear-engined vehicles due to their transverse engine with a combined transaxle. The short rear end typically meant the weight was concentrated there, necessitating careful suspension work to manage the pendulum effect during hard driving. The solution came from the Honda Integra Type R, a front-engined, front-drive vehicle. Tokyo R&D placed the block in the middle of the car and repositioned the gearbox behind the block, creating a longitudinal configuration instead of transverse. This decision led to the car's distinctive longer rear section, solving the weight distribution issue effectively.

Thus, the Vemac RD180 was born, named after its 1.8-liter donor motor that produced 180hp and had the characteristic high-revving nature of a Honda VTEC engine. Weighing in at 880 kg, the RD180 was significantly lighter than the Integra, enhancing its performance. Built by the Rocket Car Company in the UK, the RD180 benefitted from the proximity to racing materials and expertise.

The Vemac RD320R in action at the Super GT 2011 Rd.6 Fuji GT 250km with a 4-liter V8 Zytec motor. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

Contemporary reviews praised the RD180's handling and overall driving experience. It excelled on narrow, winding roads, offering a thrilling ride. However, being a limited production vehicle, it was quite expensive and impractical, hindering its commercial success. | 3z4CA2mJnrU |

Production of the sports car ceased in 2004. Reportedly, there were ambitious plans for the RD180 to utilize the Honda S2000 motor, but they never materialized. However, in 2005, the automaker launched a racing variant, the Vemac RD320R, which competed in Japan for several years with a 4-liter Zytec V8 motor. In 2006, they also launched the Vemac RD408H, one of the world’s first hybrid racing cars.

The Vemac RD408H, one of the world’s first hybrid racing cars launched by Vemac in 2006. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

Despite its limited production and commercial struggles, the Vemac RD180 remains a remarkable example of innovative automotive engineering. It showcases the blend of Japanese precision and European design flair, leaving a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to experience it. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARS.NET | FORUMS.FORZA.NET | MOTORINGWEEK | WIKIPEDIA | AUTA5P.EU ]

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