Ultima Sports
British manufacturer of high-performance sports cars supplied primarily as owner-built kits and, in some European markets, as turnkey vehicles.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Ultima Sports is an English sports-car manufacturer based in Hinckley, Leicestershire. The company is associated with a distinctive low-volume, high-performance business model: rather than operating like a conventional mass-market carmaker, it supplies the components and body structures needed for customers to assemble an exceptionally powerful mid-engined sports car, while also offering completed turnkey vehicles for European customers. This approach places Ultima within the specialist kit-car and low-volume performance-car sector. The lineage began with the Ultima Mk1, produced in 1983 by Lee Noble of Noble Motorsports Ltd. The Mk1 was intended to enter production, but it was superseded before customer sales began. A revised Mk2 followed in 1984, using changes to the Renault-derived mechanical package and later incorporating Ultima-designed alloy rear-suspension uprights. The Mk2 developed a competition reputation, with Lee Noble and Ted Marlow driving examples to success in smaller racing series. Contemporary specialist-car magazines also gave the model visibility through cover features. The Ultima Mk3 arrived in 1989 with a new fibreglass body and continued use of the PRV V6. It was the last model produced by Noble Motorsports before Ted Marlow and Richard Marlow acquired the rights in 1992 and began developing the revised Ultima Sport, sometimes described in company literature as the Mk4. The Ultima Sport and its open-top derivative, the Ultima Spyder, were built from 1992 to 1999. They were later replaced by the more dramatically styled Ultima GTR coupe and Ultima Can-Am roadster. Ultima’s vehicles are notable for their power-to-weight emphasis, compact dimensions, central driving position and use of American V8 power. American Speed has been identified as a preferred engine supplier, providing re-engineered Chevrolet small-block V8 engines in several performance configurations. The company’s high-output development cars, including the GTR640 and GTR720, were used to demonstrate acceleration and braking performance. In 2006, a GTR720 reportedly completed the road-car 0–100–0 mph test in 9.4 seconds under controlled conditions, using road-legal tyres and exhaust equipment. The result was verified with GPS timing equipment by an official associated with Datron Technology, identified in the reference material as a Guinness World Records timekeeper. The current principal model line is the Ultima Evolution, offered in coupe and convertible forms. The Evolution coupe retains the broad body concept of the GTR, while the convertible follows the design lineage of the Can-Am. The range is marketed with very high-output American Speed engines, including a stated 1,020-horsepower option. Because specifications, assembly arrangements and homologation requirements vary by territory, Ultima’s products are best understood as specialist performance platforms rather than conventional globally standardized production cars. The brand’s positioning combines extreme performance, engineering involvement and exclusivity. Owners may build the vehicle themselves from supplied components, commission a turnkey build, or choose different engine and equipment configurations. Ultima has also had a notable connection with McLaren development work: two Mk3 cars were used in testing related to the McLaren F1, and an Ultima GTR was later used as a development mule for systems associated with the McLaren MP4-12C. These links, together with the brand’s acceleration demonstrations and track-performance claims, have helped establish Ultima’s reputation among kit-car enthusiasts and specialist supercar buyers.
History
Ultima’s history began in 1983, when Lee Noble of Noble Motorsports Ltd produced the first Ultima Mk1. The car was conceived as a production-intended specialist sports car, but the Mk1 was replaced before customer sales commenced. The following Mk2 incorporated revisions to the mechanical design, including changes to the Renault-derived engine and suspension arrangement and, subsequently, Ultima-designed alloy rear-suspension uprights. The Mk2 also established the marque’s early competition profile. Noble and Ted Marlow drove examples in smaller racing series, where the car achieved race and championship successes. Specialist motoring magazines featured the car, helping to publicize the project among kit-car and performance-car enthusiasts. In total, 13 Mk2 cars were produced according to the reference material. In 1989, Noble Motorsports introduced the Mk3. It used a new fibreglass body while retaining the PRV V6 power unit. Two Mk3s later became particularly important outside the normal production history: McLaren used them during development of the McLaren F1, with one supporting gearbox and central-driving-position testing and another used in work involving the BMW V12 engine and its ancillary systems. The Mk3 was the last Ultima produced under Noble Motorsports’ control. Ted Marlow and Richard Marlow acquired the rights to the car in 1992 and developed a substantially revised model known as the Ultima Sport, also referred to in some company material as the Mk4. The Ultima Sport and its roadster derivative, the Ultima Spyder, were produced from 1992 through 1999. Their bodywork differed materially from the later GTR and Can-Am designs, which became the next major stage in the company’s evolution. The Ultima GTR coupe and Ultima Can-Am roadster continued the brand’s emphasis on a lightweight structure, high power and owner participation. Ultima’s normal supply model was component-based: the company provided the body and mechanical parts needed for customers to complete construction away from the factory. In the United States, the reference material describes component supply, including rolling-body configurations without the engine and transmission, as the available route. For European customers, the company also built turnkey cars on site. American Speed became a preferred engine supplier, preparing Chevrolet small-block V8 engines for high performance. A 640-horsepower configuration powered the GTR640 demonstration and record car used by company director Richard Marlow. In 2005, this combination was associated with performance records. In 2006, the GTR720, using a 720-horsepower American Speed engine, reportedly completed a controlled 0–100–0 mph run in 9.4 seconds, improving on the earlier time by 0.4 seconds. The test used road-legal tyres and exhaust equipment and was recorded with GPS instrumentation. The GTR720 also attracted attention through reported Top Gear Test Track performance. It was timed at 1 minute 12.8 seconds on road-legal equipment, with the reference describing the result as unofficial, and later recorded a 1 minute 9.9 second lap on slick tyres. These demonstrations reinforced Ultima’s image as a maker of extreme, track-influenced road cars, although such figures should be distinguished from formal series-production homologation claims. The Evolution became the subsequent main model family. Its coupe body follows the GTR lineage, while the convertible follows the Can-Am roadster concept. The range has been promoted with American Speed powertrains, including a stated 1,020-horsepower engine option. Ultima therefore remains a highly specialized British manufacturer whose identity rests on low-volume production, component-car construction, turnkey assembly for selected markets and exceptionally high performance rather than on scale.
- 2006
GTR720 improves the 0–100–0 mph record
[1]The GTR720 reportedly completed the test in 9.4 seconds under controlled conditions, using road-legal tyres and exhaust equipment.
- 2005
GTR640 performance development
[1]A GTR using a 640-horsepower American Speed Chevrolet small-block V8 was used for performance-record demonstrations.
- 1992
Marlow family acquires Ultima rights
[1]Ted Marlow and Richard Marlow acquired the rights and began developing the revised Ultima Sport.
- 1992
Ultima Sport and Spyder era begins
[1]The Ultima Sport and open-top Ultima Spyder entered the company’s production history, remaining in production through 1999.
- 1989
Ultima Mk3 introduced
[1]The Mk3 received a new fibreglass body and retained the PRV V6. It was the final Ultima model produced by Noble Motorsports.
- 1984
Ultima Mk2 introduced
[1]The Mk2 followed the Mk1 with revised mechanical components, improved brakes and new suspension development.
- 1983
First Ultima Mk1 produced
[1]Lee Noble of Noble Motorsports produced the first Ultima Mk1, establishing the model lineage that later became associated with Ultima Sports.
Evolution range becomes the principal model line
[1]Ultima developed the Evolution in coupe and convertible forms, carrying forward the GTR and Can-Am body lineages.
Products and positioning
A specialist British performance-car brand focused on extremely lightweight, high-power mid-engined sports cars, owner-built kits and limited turnkey production rather than mass-market automobiles.
sports car prototype · 1983
Ultima Mk1
The Mk1 was the first Ultima produced, built by Lee Noble in 1983 through Noble Motorsports. It was intended as the starting point for a production specialist sports car, but it was superseded before customer sales began. The car established the basic lineage from which the later Mk2, Mk3 and subsequent Ultima models developed.
sports car · 1984
Ultima Mk2
The Mk2 was a revised version of the first Ultima, with changes to its Renault-derived mechanical package, improved braking and further-developed suspension. Later examples used Ultima’s own alloy rear-suspension uprights. The model earned competition success in smaller series and was driven by Lee Noble and Ted Marlow. Thirteen Mk2s were reportedly produced.
sports car · 1989
Ultima Mk3
Introduced in 1989, the Mk3 brought a new fibreglass body while retaining the PRV V6 used in the preceding lineage. It was the last Ultima model built by Noble Motorsports. Two Mk3 cars were later used by McLaren as engineering test vehicles during development work for the McLaren F1.
sports car · 1992
Ultima Sport
The Ultima Sport was the revised model developed after Ted and Richard Marlow acquired the Ultima rights in 1992. It is sometimes identified as the Mk4 in company literature. The car used substantially revised bodywork compared with the Mk3 and was offered alongside the open-top Ultima Spyder from 1992 to 1999.
roadster · 1992
Ultima Spyder
The Ultima Spyder was the open-top derivative of the Ultima Sport. It represented the brand’s roadster offering before the later Can-Am model and shared the period’s focus on lightweight construction, high performance and component-based customer assembly.
mid-engined coupe sports car
Ultima GTR
The GTR was Ultima’s enclosed high-performance coupe successor to the Sport. It became the platform for several extreme engine and performance demonstrations, including the GTR640 and GTR720. The model was primarily supplied in component form, although completed turnkey examples were available for European customers.
convertible sports car
Ultima Can-Am
The Can-Am was the open-top counterpart to the GTR. Its body design later provided the basis for the convertible version of the Evolution. Like other Ultima models, it was associated with owner-built component-car construction as well as selected turnkey production.
mid-engined coupe sports car
Ultima Evolution Coupe
The Evolution Coupe is the successor to the GTR and retains its broad design lineage. It is marketed as a highly customizable, high-power specialist sports car, with component and turnkey supply arrangements depending on market. Available powertrain specifications include American Speed-prepared Chevrolet V8 options.
convertible sports car
Ultima Evolution Convertible
The Evolution Convertible carries forward the body concept of the Can-Am roadster. It is the open-top member of the current Evolution range and is positioned around extreme performance, lightweight construction and flexible customer configuration rather than conventional luxury-car equipment or high-volume production.
Brand decisions
1992
Rights transferred and the Ultima Sport developedStrategyBackground
After the Mk3 period under Noble Motorsports, Ted Marlow and Richard Marlow acquired the rights to the Ultima design and moved the product toward a revised model.
Action taken
They developed the Ultima Sport, also called the Mk4 in some company literature, followed by the Ultima Spyder roadster.
Aftermath
The change began a new phase of Ultima development and led to the later GTR and Can-Am model families.
- Component-led supply model maintainedStrategy
Background
Ultima operates in the specialist kit-car sector, where customer assembly supports low-volume production and enables extensive configuration.
Action taken
The company continued to supply vehicles primarily as component packages, while offering factory-built turnkey cars for European customers and rolling-body arrangements in some other markets.
Aftermath
This model differentiates Ultima from conventional volume manufacturers and makes regional registration and assembly requirements an important part of ownership.
- Evolution replaces the GTR and Can-Am as the main rangeGeneration change
Background
The GTR coupe and Can-Am roadster were the established models before Ultima introduced its next-generation range.
Action taken
Ultima developed the Evolution in coupe and convertible forms, retaining the respective body-design lineages of the GTR and Can-Am.
Aftermath
The Evolution became the company’s principal current offering and continued Ultima’s high-power specialist sports-car positioning.
Recent events
- 2006
Ultima GTR720 records a 0–100–0 mph performance time of 9.4 seconds[1]
Other
A GTR720 fitted with an American Speed Chevrolet small-block V8 reportedly improved Ultima’s earlier acceleration-and-braking record under controlled conditions on road-legal tyres and with road-legal exhaust equipment.
- 2006
Ultima GTR720 records a 0–100–0 mph time of 9.4 seconds[1]
Other
A 720-horsepower GTR configuration reportedly reduced the company's previous acceleration-and-braking record by 0.4 seconds, completing the test in 9.4 seconds with road-legal tyres and exhaust.
Ultima introduces the Ultima Evolution range[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The Evolution became the company’s principal sports-car range, with coupe and convertible body styles derived from the GTR and Can-Am models.
Ultima GTR720 posts notable Top Gear Test Track times[1]
Other
The same GTR720 was reported to have completed the Top Gear Test Track in 1 minute 12.8 seconds on road-oriented equipment and 1 minute 9.9 seconds on slick racing tyres. The reference describes the timings as unofficial.
McLaren uses Ultima prototypes in supercar development[1]
Other
Ultima Mk3 cars were used in McLaren F1 development work, and a later Ultima GTR served as a test mule for systems associated with the McLaren MP4-12C.
Ultima Evolution offered in coupé and convertible body styles[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The Evolution became the marque's current model line in the reference material, with a coupé related to the GTR and a convertible related to the Can-Am roadster.
McLaren uses Ultima-based cars for supercar development testing[1]
Other
Two Ultima Mk3 cars were used during McLaren F1 development, including testing of the gearbox, central seating position, BMW V12 engine and associated systems.
Sources2 sources
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