Is the BAC Mono Still Competitive in 2024?

• Launched as a track toy, the BAC Mono has led a long life for a single-seat sports car, and it's back for more road-going adventures.

• With re-tuned suspension and a street-friendly powerband, the new BAC Mono retains supercar levels of performance in a less forgiving but more unique package.

• Production of the new Mono is already under way in the UK, and orders are in, as BAC says it typically exports 80% of units to around 45 different countries.

Launching a car during Monterey Car Week is, more often than not, about extremes. Ground-breaking design, eye-popping horsepower, and miles of Nappa leather are needed to complement the environment in which these models come to life. But not every car needs this red-carpet rollout, according to Briggs Automotive Company (BAC).

That's because the 12-year-old BAC Mono is making its annual return on the California Coast. Founded in Liverpool, BAC has fought the good fight, making single-seat sports cars for over a decade now, but the Mono isn't exactly news at this point.

In fact, today's launch model doesn't look much different than one from 2020 or 2013, though this continuous design philosophy is part of BAC's plan. By creating a design through line in the single-seat sports car market, BAC is synonymous with the form, especially with its shark-nose-front.

However, the English brand is continuing its rhetorical departure this year, as it calls the Mono an all-new supercar. But if you place a BAC Mono next to the likes of Lamborghinis and Ferraris, you wouldn't be blamed for struggling to find connections. So what makes this 2024 model a special supercar?

Well, the new Mono is fast, that's for sure. Using a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter powerplant from Mountune, the Mono puts down a healthy 311 hp and 231 lb-ft of torque, all through a 1257-pound chassis. With a redline of 8000 rpm, BAC says the Mono will go from 0-60 mph in 2.7 seconds.

That's over four horsepower per pound, beating the premier league of sport bikes. But the Mono is no longer a one-trick-pony, according to company executives. And a big part of that is its road-going tuning, which encourages owners to enjoy their open-air supercar beyond the racetrack.

Employing an enhanced induction system with individual throttle bodies as well as a re-engineered carbon-fiber intake system, BAC says it tuned the throttle response for improved mid-range power. Additionally, the adjustable pushrod-activated twin wishbone suspension has been slightly softened to allow for more on-road compliance.

That doesn't mean the modern Mono has lost its edge. With a 41% front and 59% rear weight distribution, grip is the goal for the Mono, though prior shenanigans have shown us the Mono is a willing drift partner. Traction issues under hard braking should be limited, too, thanks to 50% more anti-dive on the front.

On paper, these specifications are certainly supercar worthy. And a partnership with Pirelli helps BAC provide its customers with a variety of rubber, though the sticky Trofeo R is generally standard. Fitting for a ridiculous performance car, of course.

But there is one arena where the Mono diverges from its supercar brethren—its gearbox. Using a six-speed motorsport-derived sequential transmission, BAC actually allows customers to configure their own gear ratios. Short-gearing for tight tracks or a tall overdrive for highway stints are both possible.

Production of the new Mono is already under way, with orders placed from 45 different countries. It's not entirely surprising that the BAC Mono is popular with a certain subset of affluent folks, either. Not only does it have supercar levels of performance, but it's also much more unique than your run-of-the-mill red or yellow spyder.

Similarly, previous iterations of the Mono have been priced below $200,000, meaning you can save some coin as well. Pricing has yet to be revealed for the incoming model, though the minimal amount of changes means we expect only slight inflation.

Owning a BAC is more about driving for the sake of fun, not from A to B, ultimately. And while the Mono is not many people's cup of tea, we're still glad to see the single-seat market maintained. Just remember to wear a helmet.

Do you believe in the merits of open-air driving? Why or why not? Please share your thoughts below.