Quarkus, a small French company with the goal of bringing a mid-engine sports car to market, says that it’s going to Pikes Peak. It plans to use the historic hill climb as a development tool for its 296 hp (220 kW) P3 sports car. Aiding in its bid for success is Pikes Peak record-holder and fellow Frenchman, Romain Dumas.
The Quarkus P3 is somewhat shrouded in mystery. The brand launched in 2020 and since then it’s seemed all too similar to the myriad of render-based “car companies” that announce much and build little. Unlike many of those, it’s set relatively reasonable goals such as using a mild-hybrid, 1.0-liter four-cylinder engine with just 296 hp.
While this may not sound like much, the P3’s weight will be limited to just 600 kg (1,323 lbs) thanks to a chassis comprising carbon, Kevlar, and a touch of titanium, paired with 100% carbon fiber bodywork. This results in an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 4.5 pounds per hp or 493 hp per tonne.
In addition, it’s built at least one running and driving prototype.
More: BMW XM Storms To Hybrid SUV Pikes Peak Record After Crashing Into A Tree In June
Photos Quarkus
Now, it says that it’ll take just such a car to Pikes Peak in June of 2024 for the 102nd running of the hallowed hill climb to the clouds. At the helm of the car will be Bruce Jouanny, a man with almost 20 years of competitive racing behind him.
“I am happy to take on this challenge and looking forward to discovering Pikes Peak,” says Jouanny. “It’s a legendary race and one that fits perfectly into the development of the Quarkus P3. We often talk about a life-size test; we couldn’t dream of anything better than Pikes Peak. A course on a real road, but with particular constraints: altitude, bumps, hairpins, fast sections, precipices… It’s a unique setting to challenge yourself, as a team, manufacturer, and driver. I am sure we will learn a lot at all levels.”
To be clear, this isn’t the kind of plan that a normal person or brand would deem reasonable. Taking on Pikes Peak is no small feat and that’s true even for gigantic automakers like Ford. The odds that some small company that has never made a single production car is going to field a sincerely competent competitor are small. The brand’s CEO appears to know that.
“To embark on the Pikes Peak challenge, while the first development prototype has just been presented, is clearly not reasonable. No manufacturer does this” says Damien Alfano, founder of Quarkus.
“But this is our philosophy; believe in our dreams, set no limits, and share this adventure with our customers and partners, all as passionate as we are. When Bruce mentioned his idea of climbing this monument, I just couldn’t say no. The heart has spoken. Now we’re going there, and it’s a great opportunity to boost the development of Quarkus. We must achieve in three months what was planned in nine… Let’s go!”
Interestingly, Romain Dumas, the man who drove a VW I.D R to a record at Pikes Peak in 2018, is backing the project. Hopefully, that bodes well for Quarkus come June.