Ultima Sports

What Ultima Sports does

Ultima Sports Ltd is a privately held British manufacturer of hand-built supercars, founded in 1983 and operated by the Marlow family from a single facility in Hinckley, Leicestershire. The company designs, engineers, and assembles three current models - the Ultima RS (flagship Coupe), the Evolution Coupe, and the Evolution Convertible - each built around a 38mm spaceframe chassis, GRP bodywork, a mid-mounted Chevrolet LS/LT V8 producing between 430 and 1200 bhp, and a Porsche six-speed manual transaxle. Performance credentials include multiple independently validated world speed records for production road cars (0-100mph-0 in 9.4 seconds, 1.176g skidpad, 1:12.8 Top Gear track lap) and wind-tunnel-optimized aerodynamics achieving 0.304 Cd with over 1000 kg of adjustable downforce on the RS.

The business model is direct-to-consumer with no dealer network worldwide. Customers can purchase a self-assembly component kit (priced comparably to a new BMW M3) or a factory-built turnkey vehicle, with current lead times of 12 months for kits and over four years for turnkey builds due to demand outstripping the small team's capacity. Approximately 75% of customers are first-time car builders and complete the assembly themselves in around 350 hours using a proprietary online build manual and factory telephone support. Ancillary revenue streams include worldwide spare parts, factory servicing, a 160-point pre-owned inspection, insurance-approved repairs, and a merchandise line that includes a co-branded Swiss watch. Vehicles are road-registered in over 40 countries, supported by a dedicated USA sales portal with free shipping on orders above $85k. The company has explicitly opted out of electrification, positioning itself as an analogue, manual-transmission alternative in a market moving toward hybridization and software-defined features.

Name

Ultima Sports

Legal name

Ultima Sports Limited

Website

https://ultimasports.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ultima Sports is a family-owned British manufacturer of hand-built supercars (RS, Evolution Coupe and Convertible) sold direct-to-consumer as self-assembly kits or factory-built vehicles to enthusiast drivers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Cars / Performance Supercars

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing (336211)

SIC

Motor Vehicles & Passenger Car Bodies (3711)

akta.pro primary industry

Passenger Vehicle Electrical & Electronics Manufacturing (ICE) (IMACAAAK)

Keywords

• Hand-built supercars
• Self-assembly car kits
• Mid-engine sports cars
• Factory-built performance vehicles
• British automotive manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Hinckley

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Self-Assembly Supercar Kits: Complete self-assembly supercar kits sold directly from factory. Customers can purchase anything from a base chassis package to comprehensive kits with every nut and bolt. 25% deposit to confirm order. Average build time 350 hours by customer.
2. Factory-Built Turnkey Vehicles: Factory-built turnkey vehicles assembled to special customer order. Lead-time over 4 years due to phenomenal global demand. These command premium pricing in the marketplace beyond MSRP.
3. Spare Parts and Upgrades: Ultima spare parts and upgrade items for all models stocked and shipped worldwide via express FedEx delivery. Recommended to use only Ultima Genuine Parts to maintain authenticity.
4. Servicing and Repair: Factory servicing and repairs in fully equipped workshop. Includes complete suspension bush change (£380), suspension re-alignment (£240), bump steer adjustment (£280), oil and filter change (£50 plus parts), air con re-charge (£80). Also offers 160-point inspection for pre-owned vehicles and insurance-approved repairs.
5. Merchandise: Branded merchandise including Ultima History book, Ultima RS Limited Edition Chronograph watches in partnership with Louis Erard, pens, keyrings, mugs, and torches.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ultima Sports designs and hand-builds British supercars offered as either complete self-assembly component kits or factory-built turnkey vehicles. The current lineup consists of three models — the Ultima RS flagship Coupe, the Ultima Evolution Coupe, and the Ultima Evolution Convertible — all featuring mid-mounted Chevrolet V8 engines (430–1200bhp) and Porsche six-speed manual transaxles. The company also provides factory servicing, worldwide spare parts, and branded merchandise.

Product overview

Ultima Sports is a British manufacturer of hand-built supercars available as self-assembly component kits or factory-built turnkey vehicles. The current product portfolio consists of three models: the Ultima RS (flagship Coupe), Ultima Evolution Coupe, and Ultima Evolution Convertible. The RS is the fastest, most aerodynamic model with advanced wind-tunnel tested aerodynamics and carbon fibre options. The Evolution models offer the classic Le Mans inspired design in both closed and open-top formats. All models feature mid-mounted Chevrolet V8 engines (LS and LT range) with power outputs from 430bhp to 1200bhp, paired with Porsche six-speed manual transaxles. Customers can self-assemble their car using detailed online build manuals and factory support, or order factory-built turnkey vehicles. The company also offers servicing, support, spare parts, and branded merchandise including the Louis Erard collaboration watch.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ultima RS: Current flagship model - the fastest, most versatile, stylish and aerodynamic Ultima ever made. Features up to 1200bhp with Chevrolet V8 engine, 0-60mph in 2.3 seconds, top speed 250+ mph.
• Ultima Evolution Coupe
• Ultima Evolution Convertible
• Ultima GTR
• Ultima Can-Am
• Ultima Spyder
• Ultima Sports

Products and services

• Ultima RS Flagship Ultima coupe model, the fastest, most versatile, stylish and aerodynamic Ultima ever made. Available with Chevrolet V8 LS and LT fuel injection engines ranging from 430bhp to 1200bhp, paired with Porsche six-speed manual transaxle. Features 0-60mph in 2.3 seconds, top speed capability of 250+ mph, and wind tunnel-optimized aerodynamics. Sold as a self-assembly kit or factory-built turnkey vehicle to wealthy enthusiast buyers.
• Ultima Evolution Coupe A timeless Le Mans inspired road-going supercar coupe with mid-engine layout and Chevrolet V8 power. Available as a self-assembly kit or factory-built turnkey vehicle for enthusiast drivers seeking classic British supercar styling.
• Ultima Evolution Convertible A timeless Le Mans inspired open-top road-going supercar offering wind-in-the-hair motoring. Mid-engine Chevrolet V8 layout with a robust single hoop roll over bar design. Available as a self-assembly kit or factory-built turnkey vehicle.
• Ultima Self-Assembly Kit Complete component car kits designed to be assembled by novices with basic tools (under £200). Customers can purchase anything from a base chassis package to a comprehensive kit including every nut and bolt. Includes online step-by-step build manual and factory telephone and email support. Average build time approximately 350 hours and 75% of customers build their first car ever with the kit. Lead time 12 months. Pricing comparable to a new BMW M3.
• Ultima Factory-Built Turnkey Vehicle Factory-built complete vehicles assembled by Ultima technicians to special customer order. Lead time currently over 4 years due to phenomenal global demand. Commands premium pricing in the marketplace beyond MSRP.
• Ultima Servicing and Support Factory servicing, repairs, and maintenance services for Ultima owners worldwide. Includes spare parts shipping via express FedEx, 160-point pre-owned vehicle inspection, insurance-approved repairs, suspension bush changes, suspension re-alignment, bump steer adjustment, oil and filter changes, air conditioning re-charge, and restoration services performed by highly trained Ultima technicians.
• Ultima Merchandise Branded merchandise including The Story of Ultima hardback book and the Ultima RS Limited Edition Chronograph watch produced in partnership with Swiss watchmaker Louis Erard, plus pens, keyrings, mugs, and torches. Available via the company website.

Quantifiable outcome

• 0-60mph: 2.3 seconds; Top speed: 250+ mph; 0-100-0mph: 8.7 seconds; Quarter mile: 9.2 seconds @ 156mph
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Louis ErardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with historic Swiss watch brand Louis Erard (founded 1931, based in Le Noirmont, Jura region) to produce the Ultima RS Limited Edition Chronograph. Features automatic movement, sapphire crystal, stainless steel case with matte black PVD coating, carbon fibre style strap, manufactured and assembled by hand in Switzerland.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Lotus Cars: Lotus is a long-established British sports car maker (now Geely-owned) producing the Emira, Elise, and Evija across a broader product portfolio. While Lotus is much larger and offers volume-produced models, it shares Ultima's British hand-built heritage, lightweight philosophy, and enthusiast customer base.

Others

• Dallara: Dallara is an Italian motorsport chassis specialist that has produced limited-edition road cars (e.g., Stradale) leveraging its racing expertise. While primarily motorsport-oriented, Dallara shares Ultima's blend of racing-derived technology and limited-run road-going vehicles.

Direct peers

• Caterham Cars: Caterham is the UK manufacturer of the iconic Seven (originally Lotus 7), sold as both factory-built cars and self-assembly kits to enthusiast drivers. Like Ultima, Caterham is a small-volume British specialist offering high-performance lightweight sports cars with strong motorsport pedigree and a direct-to-customer sales model.
• Noble Automotive: Noble Automotive is a UK sports car maker of the M600 and previous models, hand-built mid-engine supercars sold direct-to-customer. Noble and Ultima overlap in their focus on raw, analogue, mid-engine performance British supercars sold in low annual volumes.
• Donkervoort: Donkervoort is a Dutch ultra-lightweight sports car maker producing hand-built performance vehicles focused on power-to-weight ratios comparable to Ultima. Both companies compete for high-end performance enthusiasts who prioritise raw driving experience and bespoke construction.
• Radical Motorsport: Radical Motorsport is a UK manufacturer of track-focused sports cars and prototypes for road and racing use. Like Ultima, Radical builds low-volume, mid-engine performance cars targeting enthusiast and track-day customers with strong performance-per-pound positioning.
• BAC Mono: BAC (Briggs Automotive Company) is a Liverpool-based manufacturer of the single-seater Mono supercar. BAC competes in the same niche of low-volume UK-built performance cars with hand assembly, direct sales, and a customer base of performance enthusiasts seeking exclusivity.
• Ariel Motor Company: Ariel is a UK-based hand-built manufacturer of the exposed-wheel Ariel Atom and the off-road Nomad, designed for extreme performance and track-day use. Ariel shares Ultima's niche of low-volume, hand-assembled British performance cars focused on power-to-weight excellence and minimal driver aids.

Regional players

• TVR: TVR is a revived British sports car maker producing the Griffith and forthcoming models, focused on a V8-powered analogue driving experience. TVR sits in the same British performance brand heritage as Ultima and competes for similar buyers, although currently a lower-volume restart.

Emerging players

• Elemental Cars: Elemental is a UK manufacturer of the lightweight Elemental RP1 track and road car. While a smaller and newer brand, Elemental competes in the same lightweight, mid-engine British performance space as Ultima with similar enthusiast positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UltimaCars
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/UltimaSports
• Facebookfacebook.com/UltimaSportscars
• Instagraminstagram.com/ultimasportsltd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ultima-sports-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ultima Sports