GKD Evolution | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | GKD Sports Cars |
Production | 2006–present |
Assembly | Kent, England |
Designer | Peter Lathrope and Richard Ashby |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Roadster coupe |
Body style | 2-door convertible coupe |
Layout | FR (Front Engine / RWD) |
Platform | Fabricated chassis and double wishbone suspension using BMW E36/E46 donor items |
Powertrain | |
Engine | Various, including: Nissan RB, Cosworth, BMW Straight 6, Rover V8 |
Transmission | Various |
Dimensions | |
Curb weight | 750 kg (1,653 lb)-850 kg (1,874 lb) |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Ginetta G27 |
GKD Legend | |
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![]() | |
Overview | |
Manufacturer | GKD Sports Cars |
Production | 2008–present |
Assembly | Kent, England |
Designer | Peter Lathrope |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Roadster |
Body style | seven |
Layout | FR (Front engine / RWD) |
Platform | Fabricated chassis and double wishbone suspension using BMW E36/E46 donnor items |
Powertrain | |
Engine | BMW 4-cylinder engines |
Transmission | BMW |
Dimensions | |
Curb weight | 585 kg (1,290 lb)-620 kg (1,367 lb) |
GKD Sports Cars is a small-volume car manufacturer based in Boughton Monchelsea, near Maidstone, Kent, with workshops at Lenham. GKD Sports Cars produce two models, the GKD Evolution and the GKD Legend.
GKD Sports Cars was founded in 2006 when company MD Peter Lathrope purchased the Ginetta G27 project. [1] The car was then modified to improve aerodynamics and styling. The company won car of the year 2006 from Which Kit Car magazine with the Evolution. This included winning 5 out of 7 categories in the competition. [2] In 2008, the company launched two new models, with the Evolution being upgraded to use BMW 3 Series (E36/E46) running gear and then launching a new model, the GKD Legend at the Exeter Kit Car Show in November. This received a very warm welcome with the press and public[ citation needed ], as both cars are the first mainstream kit cars to use BMW 3 Series E36/E46 running gear. [2]
As well as supplying and building the Evolution and the Legend, GKD also supplies Racelogic traction control, alloy wheels and tuning parts. GKD Sports Cars also completes part build projects, put cars in for the IVA test and tune and complete engine conversions for BMW road cars.
Because of the Evolution's background, GKD launched the first production hard top for the Ginetta G27. GKD also supplies upgrades and parts for the Ginetta G27.
The BMW 3 Series is a line of compact executive cars manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. It is the successor to the 02 Series and has been produced in seven generations.
The BMW Z3 is a range of two-seater sports cars which was produced from 1995 to 2002. The body styles of the range are:
The BMW M52 is a straight-6 DOHC petrol engine which was produced from 1994 to 2000. It was released in the E36 320i, to replace the M50. The BMW S52 engine is a high performance variant of the M52 which powered the American and Canadian market E36 M3 from 1996 to 1999.
The third generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars is designated under the model code E36, and was produced by the German automaker BMW from 1990 to 2000. The initial models were of the four-door saloon body style, followed by the coupé, convertible, wagon ("Touring"), and eventually hatchback ("Compact").
The BMW 3 Series (E46) is the fourth generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars manufactured by German automaker BMW. Produced from 1997 to 2006, it was the successor to the E36 3 Series, which ceased production in 2000. It was introduced in November 1997, and available in sedan, coupé, convertible, station wagon and hatchback body styles. The latter has been marketed as the 3 Series Compact.
The fifth generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars is designated under the model codes E90 (saloon), E91, E92 (coupé) and E93 (convertible). The model was introduced in December 2004, and produced by BMW until October 2013 and is often collectively referred to as the E90, E9x, or occasionally, the E92.
The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M GmbH. M3 models have been produced for every generation of 3 Series since the E30 M3 was introduced in 1986.
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BMW M GmbH, formerly known as BMW Motorsport GmbH, is a subsidiary of BMW AG that manufactures performance cars.
The BMW 3 Series Compact is a car which was produced from 1994 through 2004 by BMW. It is a 3-door hatchback version of the BMW 3 Series through two generations, for the E36 platform in 1993 and E46 platform in 2001. Unlike most hatchback competitors which were transverse engine front-wheel drive, the 3 Series Compact uses the longitudinal engine rear-wheel drive layout.
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Ginetta Cars Limited is a British specialist builder of racing and sports cars based in Garforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire.
The GKD Evolution is a convertible sports car manufactured by British company GKD Sports Cars, based in Boughton Monchelsea, near Maidstone with workshops at Lenham.
G-Power is a German car tuning manufacturer based in Aichach, Bavaria. Founded in 1983 by Jesna Mawela, the company specialises in tuning BMW cars and manufacturing boutique vehicles. Its supercharged 5.0L V-10 830 hp BMW M5 Hurricane RRS reached 372 km/h (231 mph)
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The GKD LEGEND is a light-weight performance sports car manufactured by British company GKD Sports Cars, based in Boughton Monchelsea, near Maidstone with workshops at Lenham. The LEGEND is available in component form, or fully built. It was the first seven inspired car on the market using BMW E36/46 running gear.
Bimmerworld Racing is a sports car racing team and supplier of racing, performance, and replacement parts based in Dublin, Virginia, USA. The company focuses on the BMW brand of automobiles with a strong emphasis on road racing. The team first began racing professionally in the sprint-format SCCA World Challenge series before switching to the endurance-based IMSA/Grand-Am Sports Car Challenge. The team has also diversified into other forms of motorsport including NASA, BMW CCA Club Racing, SCCA, SpecE30, The One Lap of America, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, ChampCar, VLN, and PowerWheels Attack. The team and parts company is independently owned by founder James Clay.
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