The Libra is a very special car, designed and constructed as no other road car in the world today to give outstanding performance and driver pleasure. Its composite construction is closer to the current F1 cars than the tube and fibre glass panels of its competitors.
The design is minimalist, with a low component count - every part that is present is carefully considered for performance and aesthetics. The car is a pleasure to look at and be around, not only in the stunning exterior shape but also in the design detail under the skin. The interior of the car is styled in keeping with the exterior and finished to the same high standard.
The Libra is designed to be used every day in all conditions and has all the essential requirements of the modern car. It has the added advantage that it will not rust and will therefore retain its value whilst being a joy to own for many years.
At the heart of the Libra lies the composite tub (passenger cell) manufactured in-house to the highest standards, drawing upon the expertise developed over the last 20 years producing composite structures at GTM.
The tub provides an immensely strong yet incredibly light structure in which the driver and passenger sit surrounded by a composite roll cage for their protection. It provides the mounting points for the front and rear suspension. There are no subframes or spaceframes - the suspension bolts directly into the composite tub. GTM designed and manufactured its own test equipment to determine the composite structure required to take the considerable suspension loads, this is typical of the care and attention that has been given to every aspect of the design. The steering rack and steering column bolt directly to the tub without the requirement for further bracketry.
The suspension used on the Libra is unique and purpose-designed using computer modelling to give outstanding road holding and handling combined with a ride quality seldom found in such a lightweight sports car.
The front suspension is a relatively conventional unequal length wishbone set up, accurately designed and manufactured to ensure the best possible geometry. The wishbone bearings are made to a GTM design ensuring that the exact characteristics required are obtained. The steering rack is mounted forward of the front axle line so as to create the maximum possible space inside the car. This also produces a true mid-engined driving position making the car feel "special" to drive on every occasion.
The rear suspension is truly innovative. It came about from the joint requirements to be minimalist and find a solution to the complex situation created by the mid-mounted transverse engine / gearbox unit.
The conventional solution of a space frame attached to the back of the tub was tried but this proved extremely difficult to triangulate around the engine/gearbox unit and added weight and complexity. The solution was to have trailing wishbones pivoted on the back of the tub with the coil and shock absorber load taken into the rear face of the tub. This solution gave a very elegant minimalist design where the heart of the car consists of a tub, 8 wishbones and 4 coil over shock absorber units.
The remaining composite mouldings are principally cosmetic apart from the radiator ducting which is designed to form a collapsible energy-absorbing zone at the front of the car. You can be assured that the safety of the occupants is fundamental to the whole design of the Libra.
The design of the Libra is total; no standard part has been used which in any way compromises the design dynamically or ethically. The design team took over five years to complete the Libra project, between them bringing over fifty years of experience in the design of specialist vehicles and composite structures. They have in the past been responsible for many of the industry's most respected models.
The attention to detail goes down to the smallest item. Seats, door locks, panel fasteners etc. have all been designed, tooled, and manufactured as the standard items were seen to compromise the total design ethos.
Above all the Libra was designed to be driven on all occasions and in all conditions. Its light weight, combined with the high power outputs of the 'K' series and Honda engines, makes a truly exhilarating car to drive.
The aerodynamic shape of the fixed head car (difficult to achieve with a soft-top) enable high speeds to be maintained hour after hour in complete comfort and at quite outstanding fuel economy.
Although smaller than its competitors the packaging in the Libra is remarkable in that not only does it carry a full size spare wheel, and give space for two large adults (up to 6' 8") it also provides room behind the seats for luggage and has a good size lockable conventional boot at the rear insulated from the heat of the exhaust. Golf clubs fit in the boot.
The roof panel removes and stores behind the seats giving all the advantages of fresh air motoring without any of the disadvantages. When parked, and the roof panel is in place the Libra is as secure as any fixed head car. The doors are long and open wide for easy entry with their tinted (all the glass on the Libra is tinted as standard) windows winding down in the conventional manner. The heater is a modern mixture unit with fresh air ventilation.
We believe no other car in its class in the world comes close to offering the discerning motorist the total package available in the Libra.
