BAC, maker of the Mono, has unveiled an all-new iteration of the road-going single-seater at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

It's called the Mono R, and it is a lighter, more powerful second-generation version of the popular Liverpool-built car.

The car's new 2.5-litre engine, which has been co-developed with Mountune, delivers 340 bhp – that's 35 more horses than the 'normal' Mono.

BAC Mono R

The extra power is achieved by increasing the cylinder bore size and reducing the new billet crankshaft stroke to optimise power and torque delivery and increase rpm from 7,800 rpm to 8,800 rpm. More air is also fed to the engine via a Formula 3-esque air intake on the car's rollover structure, further helping the power output. All of the extra horsepower is more accessible too thanks to a more responsive drive-by-wire throttle.

Add in the fact that the Mono R is also 25 kg lighter, weighing in at a mere 555 kg, and you get a remarkable power-to-weight figure of of 612 bhp-per-tonne. What's more, the engine delivers 136 bhp per litre, which is a new world record for a road-legal, naturally-aspirated car.

BAC Mono R

What lies under the somewhat familiar, but enhanced lines of the Mono R may be a big talking point, but the bodywork itself is also the result of incredible development work all to keep the car's weight to a minimum.

After a a successful APC-funded Research & Development project into the production-readiness of graphene, BAC has teamed up with Haydale and Pentaxia through the Niche Vehicle Network (NVN) to implement graphene-enhanced carbon fibre in every body panel for the first time in a production road car.

BAC Mono R

As well, BAC is working with global science corporation DSM to use additive manufacturing for the first time, by 3D printing parts using high-performance polymers to reduce the design-to-manufacture timeframes of complex geometrical components.

Under the space age skin, the Mono R has a magnesium chassis and transmission components, a titanium floor, a carbon floor, and all-new carbon ceramic brakes which are surrounded by specially-homologated Pirelli Trofeo R tyres.

BAC Mono R

To improve the driving experience, BAC has reworked the suspension geometry to reduce pitch under braking, with increased anti-dive at the front and anti-squat at the rear maximising traction. The car also features two-way adjustable Ohlins dampers, a first for a Mono.

Balance is improved, too, thanks to a lowered fuel tank (which has also increased in size) and a re-positioned battery. All of the enhancements combine to reduce braking distances and weight transfer, helping to deliver sharper turn-in, provide better rotation at the apex and better traction out of corners.

"Today marks a monumental step in the history of Briggs Automotive Company. Not only have we become a multi-product brand for the first time, but we’ve done so with a truly remarkable feat of engineering, design and innovation in the Mono R," said Ian Briggs, Design Director at BAC.

BAC Mono R

"It’s the first time since we first laid plans for Mono a decade ago that we’ve designed something brand new – and that’s testament to the success of the business and Mono that we’ve reached this point," he added. "Mono R has been many, many years in the making, with thousands upon thousands of hours of research and work going into it – and we believe we’ve found the perfect formula for creating the most extreme Mono in the flesh and under the skin."

Only 30 Mono Rs will be built, and if you want to get your name down for one after reading this story... you're out of luck. Every single one has already been sold, each to existing Mono owners.

Gallery: BAC Mono R