{{Short description|Kit car}}
{{Infobox car | name = Ultima MK2 | manufacturer = [[Ultima Sports Ltd]] | production = 1984–1989 | assembly = United Kingdom: [[Hinckley]], [[Leicestershire]] | aka = Ultima Mk3 | designer = [[Lee Noble]] | body_style = [[Coupe]] | chassis = [[Space frame]] | related = [[Ultima Mk1]] | layout = [[Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|Mid engine, RWD]] | engine = see table | transmission = 4/5 Speed Manual | length = {{convert|4000|mm}} | width = {{convert|1840|mm}} | height = {{convert|1200|mm}} | weight = {{convert|800-1000|kg}} | wheelbase = {{convert|2640|mm}} | predecessor = [[Ultima Mk1]] | successor = [[#Ultima Mk3|Ultima Mk3]] }}
The '''Ultima Mk2''' and the '''Ultima Mk3''' are [[sports car|sports]] [[kit car|kit cars]] that were produced by English automobile manufacturer [[Ultima Sports Ltd]] from 1984 to 1989, and 1989 to 1992 respectively.
== Ultima Mk2 == This is The second model produced by the company, with a total of 13 cars would be produced. Two of the produced cars were MK2 5000 race cars. The car would use an evolved [[steel]] [[Backbone chassis|square-tubed chassis]], developed from the [[Ultima Mk1|Mk1]]. Ted Marlow, the eventual cofounder of [[Ultima Sports Ltd]] would buy the first Mk2, as specified with the original [[Ford Essex V6 engine (UK)|Essex V6]]. The Mk2 would eventually go racing under the "Ultima Mk2 5000" moniker, using an unused [[Formula 5000]] [[Cooper Car Company|Cooper]]-[[Chevrolet small-block engine (first- and second-generation)|Chevrolet Small-Block V8]], where they would find success, winning a huge number of races.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cowley |first=Mark |date=10 January 2022 |title=Here's What Everyone Forgot About Ultima And Their Cars |url=https://www.hotcars.com/heres-what-everyone-forgot-about-ultima-and-their-cars/ |accessdate=16 December 2024 |website=HotCars}}</ref><ref name="Ulthist2">{{Cite web |title=1983-1991 |url=https://www.ultimasports.co.uk/History/1983 |access-date=2024-12-14 |website=Ultima Sports Ltd}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Addendum1 |url=https://www.ultimasports.co.uk/History/Addendum1 |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Ultima Sports Ltd}}</ref>
=== Mk2 Factory Specifications === {| class="wikitable" |+ !Displacement !Engine !Horsepower !Torque !Weight !Ref |- |{{cvt|3.098|L|cc cuin|adj=ri1|0}} |[[Ford Essex V6 engine (UK)|Ford Essex V6]] (Original Prototype) |{{cvt|148|bhp|PS kW}} at 5,000 rpm |{{cvt|254|N.m|lb.ft}} at 3,000 rpm |{{Convert|845|kg|lb|abbr=on}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ultima Mk2 3.1 specs, performance data |url=https://fastestlaps.com/models/ultima-mk2-3-1 |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=FastestLaps.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" |{{cvt|5.733|L|cc cuin|adj=ri1|0}} |[[Chevrolet small-block engine (first- and second-generation)|Chevrolet Small-Block V8]] (UK Tune) |{{cvt|255|bhp|PS kW}} at 5,500 rpm |{{cvt|447|N.m|lb.ft}} at 4,100 rpm | rowspan="3" |{{Convert|900|kg|lb|abbr=on}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ultima MK2 specs, performance data |url=https://fastestlaps.com/models/ultima-mk2 |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=FastestLaps.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |[[Chevrolet small-block engine (first- and second-generation)|Chevrolet Small-Block V8]] (US Tune) |{{cvt|345|bhp|PS kW}} at 5,500 rpm |{{cvt|475|N.m|lb.ft}} at 4,100 rpm |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ultima Mk2 5.7 350 PS specs, performance data |url=https://fastestlaps.com/models/ultima-mk2-5-7 |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=FastestLaps.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |[[Chevrolet small-block engine (first- and second-generation)|Chevrolet Small-Block V8]] (Race Tune) |{{cvt|475|bhp|PS kW}} at 6,000 rpm |{{cvt|610|N.m|lb.ft|0}} at 5,000 rpm |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ultima Mk2 5.7 482 PS specs, performance data |url=https://fastestlaps.com/models/ultima-mk2-5-7-482-ps |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=FastestLaps.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |{{cvt|6.2|L|cc cuin|adj=ri1|0}} |[[Chevrolet small-block engine (first- and second-generation)|Chevrolet Small-Block V8]] (Road Tune) |{{cvt|400|bhp|PS kW|0}} at 5,000 rpm |{{cvt|533|N.m|lb.ft}} at 3,000 rpm | rowspan="2" |{{Convert|1000|kg|lb|abbr=on}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ultima Mk2 6.2 406 PS specs, performance data |url=https://fastestlaps.com/models/ultima-mk2-6-2 |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=FastestLaps.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |[[Chevrolet small-block engine (first- and second-generation)|Chevrolet Small-Block V8]] (Race Tune) |{{cvt|560|bhp|PS kW|0}} at 5,500 rpm |{{cvt|740|N.m|lb.ft|0}} at 3,500 rpm |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ultima Mk2 6.2 568 PS specs, performance data |url=https://fastestlaps.com/models/ultima-mk2-6-2-568-ps |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=FastestLaps.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |{{cvt|4.999|L|cc cuin|adj=ri1|0}} |[[Cooper Car Company|Cooper]]-[[Chevrolet small-block engine (first- and second-generation)|Chevrolet]] [[Formula 5000]] V8 (MK2 5000 race car only) |{{cvt|600|bhp|PS kW|0}} at 9,000 rpm |{{cvt|700|N.m|lb.ft|0}} at 5,300 rpm |{{Convert|800|kg|lb|abbr=on}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ultima Mk2 5000 specs, performance data |url=https://fastestlaps.com/models/ultima-mk2-5000 |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=FastestLaps.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |} <ref>{{Cite book |last=Catto |first=Christopher |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DComEQAAQBAJ&dq=%22Ultima+Mk2%22+-wikipedia&pg=PT459 |title=Lee Noble - Supercar Genius |date=2024 |publisher=David and Charles |isbn=978-1-83644-048-2 |language=en}}</ref>
==Ultima Mk3== {{Infobox car | name = Ultima Mk3 | production = 1989–1992 | assembly = United Kingdom: [[Hinckley]], [[Leicestershire]] | manufacturer = [[Ultima Sports Ltd]] | aka = Mk3 | designer = [[Lee Noble]] | body_style = [[Coupe]] | chassis = [[Backbone chassis|Tubular Chassis]] | layout = [[Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|Mid Engine, RWD]] | engine = see table | transmission = 5-speed [[Manual transmission]] | wheelbase = {{convert|2640|mm}} | width = {{convert|1800|mm}} | length = {{convert|4000|mm}} | height = {{convert|1050|mm}} | weight = {{convert|900|kg}} | sp = uk | successor = [[Ultima Sport]] | predecessor = [[#Ultima Mk2|Ultima Mk2]] }} In 1989, the updated Mk3 replaced the Mk2.<ref name="Ulthist2" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=1992-1998 |url=https://www.ultimasports.co.uk/History/1992 |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Ultima Sports Ltd}}</ref> The Mk3 itself was heavily revised in 1992, becoming the Mk4 which was sold as the [[Ultima Sport]]. The Mk3 would make up half of Ultima sales by the end of its life because 13 of the 26 total Ultima Kits sold would be Mk3's. The car would be the final Ultima developed by [[Lee Noble]]. There would be a novel chassis made for the car, an [[Aluminium]] [[Backbone chassis|Tubular chassis]], now fit exclusively with the [[Porsche]] G50 5-speed, used also in the Mk2.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1992-1998 |url=https://www.ultimasports.co.uk/History/1992 |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=Ultima Sports Ltd}}</ref> Ted Marlow and Lee Noble would establish [[Ultima Sports Ltd]] to build the Mk3. Even though the prototype of the [[Ultima Sport|Sport]] and the Mk3 RS Race Car would use an [[Inline 4]] from a [[Darrian T90]], there would be no standard option to have an Inline 4 in the Sport or Mk3.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Addendum1 |url=https://www.ultimasports.co.uk/History/Addendum1 |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=Ultima Sports Ltd}}</ref>
Two Mk3 chassis were supplied by Noble Motorsport Ltd. to [[McLaren Automotive|McLaren Cars]] in 1991 to serve as test beds for the [[McLaren F1]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The McLaren Connection |url=https://www.ultimasports.co.uk/History/McLaren |access-date=2025-08-26 |website=Ultima Sports Ltd}}</ref> Both cars were crushed, however, a replica of Edward has since by built for Mouse Motors by [[Lanzante Limited]] using an original BMW S70 engine.<ref>{{YouTube|id=c2QqzJ4ik7M|time=6m8s|title=Lost McLaren F1 Prototype Reborn… With Spare £1m V12!}}</ref>
=== Mk3 Factory Specifications === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Displacement !Engine !Horsepower !Torque !Weight !Ref |- |rowspan=2|{{cvt|2.975|L|cc cuin|adj=ri1|0}} |[[V6 PRV engine|Renault PRV V6]] (prototype only) |{{cvt|311|bhp|PS kW}} at 6,000 rpm |{{cvt|360|N.m|lb.ft|0}} at 4,600 rpm | rowspan="4" |{{Convert|900|kg|lb|abbr=on}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ultima Mk3 3.0 315 PS specs, performance data |url=https://fastestlaps.com/models/ultima-mk3-3-0 |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=FastestLaps.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |[[V6 PRV engine|Renault PRV V6]] (main production version) |{{cvt|299|bhp|PS kW}} at 6,000 rpm |{{cvt|330|N.m|lb.ft|0}} at 4,600 rpm |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ultima Mk3 3.0 303 PS specs, performance data |url=https://fastestlaps.com/models/ultima-mk3-3-0-303-ps |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=FastestLaps.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |{{cvt|5.733|L|cc cuin|adj=ri1|0}} |[[Chevrolet small-block engine (first- and second-generation)|Chevrolet Small-Block V8]] |{{cvt|388|bhp|PS kW}} at 5,750 rpm |{{cvt|530|N.m|lb.ft|0}} at 4,250 rpm |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ultima Mk3 5.7 specs, performance data |url=https://fastestlaps.com/models/ultima-mk3-5-7 |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=FastestLaps.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |{{cvt|6.200|L|cc cuin|adj=ri1|0}} |[[Chevrolet small-block engine (first- and second-generation)|Chevrolet Small-Block V8]] |{{cvt|444|bhp|PS kW}} at 5,500 rpm |{{cvt|630|N.m|lb.ft|0}} at 3,500 rpm |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ultima Mk3 6.2 specs, performance data |url=https://fastestlaps.com/models/ultima-mk3-6-2 |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=FastestLaps.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |{{cvt|1.993|L|cc cuin|adj=ri1|0}} |[[Cosworth#The YB series|Ford-Cosworth YB]] [[Inline 4|I4]] ([[Turbocharger|turbocharged]]) (Mk3 RS) |{{cvt|510|bhp|PS kW|0}} at 6,800 rpm |{{cvt|575|N.m|lb.ft|0}} at 4,500 rpm |{{Convert|700|kg|lb|abbr=on}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ultima Mk3 RS specs, performance data |url=https://fastestlaps.com/models/ultima-mk3-rs |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=FastestLaps.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
[[Category:Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicles|Ultima Mk2 and Mk3]] [[Category:Sports cars|Ultima Mk2 and Mk3]] [[Category:Cars introduced in 1984]] [[Category:1980s cars]] [[Category:Automobiles with gull-wing doors|Ultima Mk2 and Mk3]] [[Category:Kit cars|Ultima Mk2 and Mk3]] [[Category:Ultima vehicles|Ultima Mk2 and Mk3]]
{{Modern-auto-stub}} [[Category:Cars discontinued in 1989]] [[Category:Cars introduced in 1989|Ultima Mk3]] [[Category:Cars discontinued in 1996|Ultima Mk3]] [[Category:1990s cars|Ultima Mk3]] [[Category:Coupés]]