Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 180: Flyweight Fantasy

Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 180: Flyweight Fantasy

Now that I've given a brief description of my latest build in the previous post in this series, I'll invite you to take a deeper look at it, along with other variants in the lineup.

Above: The KMA K310 lineup consists of six different trim levels, covering a wide gamut from maximum economy to ultimate track performance.

The six trims of the 2005 KMA K310, all sharing the same all-carbon platform and 1.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-three, are shown here from left to right as follows:

• XLE: Base model with 60 horsepower, open diff, a 5-speed manual gearbox, and 14-inch wheels, capable of over 80 mpg while still being somewhat fun to drive.
• XLP: A mid-range trim with 100 horsepower, a viscous limited-slip diff, and 15-inch wheels, bridging the gap between the XLE and the upper trim levels in terms of economy and performance.
• XLS: A sportier trim level with 10 more horsepower and high-performance tires in place of the economy-focused ones, plus an extra cog in the gearbox and a helical LSD for a sharper feel.
• XLC: Identical to the XLS but with some standard equipment (such as the CD player and all electronic driving aids) omitted, aimed at the purist.
• XLT: A true hardcore variant with 145 horsepower, essentially a road-legal version of the track-only XLR.
• XLR: The ultimate evolution of the K310, with 189 horsepower and a race-spec interior and tires, exclusively for race use.

All in all, the K310 is proof that a very light car with a modest power output can be just as fun to drive as a heavier, more powerful car, but in this case it comes at a price - between $50,000 and $60,000 AMU depending on trim level, although it's worth it for something that weighs so little.