The Car In Front Is a Toyota

016-020 Exsclusive - DNA
3/11/06
18:06
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The Car In Front
Is a Toyota
Newcomer DNA Automotive
has hit the ground running
with its Toyota MR2 Mk3
based 351XTY. Adam Wilkins
got the first drive of its
impressive Ferrari replica.
I
t was only a matter of time before the Ferrari 360 replica usurped
the 355 copy as a clone of choice. Since the launch of the F430,
it’s seen as a safe choice by the copycats. Along with Extreme’s
Peugeot 406-based car launched late last year, the DNA 351XTY is
putting the newer Ferrari on the map as a kit-form replica.
The awkwardly spelt (but easily pronounced) 351XTY has been
three years in the making and, unlike some other replicas, moulds for
the 351XTY weren’t taken from a genuine Ferrari. While the looks of
the car were a priority, the DNA team also paid a lot of attention to
ease of build. A lot of 355 replicas require filling and other
preparation before painting. DNA Automotive didn’t want that to be
the case with their 360 replica. Neither did they want too much
hacking about of the donor vehicle.
Speaking of which, this is the first car to use the latest Toyota
MR2 Mk3 as its basis. Credited as being vastly superior to the Mk2 by
In subtle silver, rather than more typical red, DNA’s 351XTY demonstrator looks particularly classy. Detailing is superb.
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WHICH
WHICH KIT
KIT CAR?
CAR? SEPTEMBER
DECEMBER 2006
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the mainstream press, the little roadster is
also getting cheaper by the minute to buy. A
useable crashed one can be bought for as
little as £3000, while even undamaged ones
are down to around £6000 now.
When building a 351XTY, the first job is
to fit the rear bodywork and sills, which all
come as one moulding. This is bonded to the
MR2 shell along the door sills, rear bulkhead
and what’s referred to as the ‘rear carrier’.
Another carrier is fitted to the front of the
car, and onto this is bonded the front GRP
moulding. The advantage of using these
carriers is that you’re not relying on pick-up
points on the donor car which may have
moved if you’re basing it on a damaged car.
The carriers also locate the lights.
Next job is to fit the doors. First you
need to trim away the metalwork at the top
of the panel. It’s a cosmetic part of the door
and doesn’t affect the strength. “Ideally we
wouldn’t have had any cutting of the
donor,” says DNA. “But it was vital to get
the shape of the GRP door panel right.” The
Lots of thought has gone into the hood arrangement. It looks as good up as it does down. It’s hidden from view when dropped.
WHICH KIT CAR? DECEMBER
SEPTEMBER 2006
2006
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GRP panels themselves have 8mm of
adjustment designed in so that, once again,
if you’re using a damaged donor, you can
still get the shutlines right.
Throughout the car, all the impact bars
and crumple zones remain entirely in tact so,
structurally, it’s as good as the MR2 it’s
based on. Even the door release mechanism
remains the same – the Ferrari style door
handles are linked to the original MR2
handle. For piece of mind, an access hole
can be made (out of sight) in order to fix the
linkage should it ever break. The cable is
only 2in long, though, so it’s unlikely to
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stretch and become fatigued. Another
significant part of the kit is the fabricated
metalwork which bolts to the Toyota
bulkhead and carries the twin roll bars.
The suspension also has to be modified.
Fabricated A-arms replace the standard
Toyota ones to increase the track, and also
benefit from castor and camber adjustability
(unlike the standard set-up). DNA sells the
suspension kit for £350.
The finished result is surprisingly
convincing. Robin Hood dabbled with a Mk3
MR2 based 360 replica, the Ferrenzo, earlier
in the year, but it was nowhere near as
authentic looking as the 351XTY. Biggest
problem was the relatively small windscreen,
something DNA’s car disguises somewhat
better. The overall dimensions are
surprisingly similar to the Ferrari’s. The rear
overhang is slightly longer, but you only
notice that when you see it parked
alongside the real thing.
The detailing is superb with all the grilles,
valances and feature lines reproduced close
to the original. The genuine wheels are a
real boon but will probably prove an
indulgence too far for most private builders
– especially since replica rims are available.
If this appeared in your mirror, you’d probably be quite fooled by its appearance. That wasn’t always the case with 355 copies...
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WHICH KIT CAR? DECEMBER 2006
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The interior is well presented, too, the
stock MR2 dash giving off all the right vibes.
To enhance things further, DNA has removed
the centre console (although, in hindsight,
will recommend that remains in place for
future builds) and has re-trimmed the
interior with red leather. The three-spoke
steering wheel has been fitted with a new
centre boss, while the silver panel located
between the seats comes as part of the kit.
It may not be exact replication, but it
certainly doesn’t look wrong. The standard
(but re-trimmed) MR2 seats are spot-on, too.
The colour scheme works very well. Any
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silver car with a red interior scores highly
with me, and it makes a refreshing change
from more obvious red paintwork. DNA’s
next demo will be painted gunmetal grey,
once again side-stepping the obvious rosso.
It’s an adroit move: fewer real Ferraris are
red now than they were historically.
Of course, one major plus point the Mk3
MR2 has is the convertible roof which,
naturally, will be inherited by all 351XTYs.
DNA has worked hard on getting the roof
system to work well. The prototype
demonstrator sports the fifth evolution and
the firm is confident it can improve it again
for the first production kits. It retains the
Toyota’s clips and stows out of sight
underneath the rear deck. It’s a very neat
set-up that’s clearly benefited from a lot of
forethought as well as trial and error. The
process of raising or dropping it takes a
minute or two, but it’s not difficult. What’s
more, it looks tidy when it’s erected – now
that’s a neat trick.
But with the roof dropped, the car
screams ‘drive me’. Being all Toyota beneath
the replica panels, there are few surprises in
store. The driving position is great,
ergonomics are well sorted and the general
...Another benefit this car has over (most) 355 replicas is its soft top. It’s worth upgrading from an earlier car if you have one!
WHICH KIT CAR? DECEMBER 2006
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environment is pleasant. My drive of the
351XTY was relatively short, but it revealed
that the DNA is entirely MR2-like. Steering,
pedals and gearchange are all beyond
criticism. The gearshift in particular is
especially sweet with a crisp action across
the gate. The 351XTY behaves like the
regular production car it’s based on, making
it ideal for regular use. I’d like to have a
longer drive of it after today’s brief taster,
which is always a good sign.
Price-wise, it’s possible to be on the road
for around £12,000 to £15,000 depending
on how much you pay for a donor. The panel
kit is priced at £6500 which includes 23
panels, light lenses, bonding agents, hinges,
roll-over bars and host of other parts. You’ll
then need to add another £525 for the hood,
plus your choice of wheels. Add grilles, hub
extensions, lights, engine lid lens, interior trim
and paint and you’ll be ready to go.
The DNA 351XTY has a lot of appeal. For
one thing, the MR2 basis lends the 351XTY
real kudos in Mk3 form. Its convertible
format marks a step forward over the
predominantly fixed-head 355 replicas, too.
Of course, it also has more up to date styling
as well. I can imagine a lot of 355 drivers
upgrading to this quality newcomer. If
Ferrari body conversions are your thing, you
should take a closer look at the DNA.
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FACTFILE
DNA 351XTY
Engine (test car): Toyota MR2 1.8-litre four-cylinder.
Engine options: All MR2 engines are 1.8-litre, but later ones come with 6-speed
gearboxes and more power.
Chassis: Toyota MR2 monocoque structure.
Body: MR2 body remains in tact. Onto that are mounted front and rear carriers which
are clothed in GRP replica panels which require painting.
Suspension: Standard Toyota MR2, save for fabricated A-arms to give the correct
track. Camber and castor angles are adjustable.
Brakes: Standard Toyota MR2.
Kit price: Panel kit costs £6500.
Budget build cost: From £12,000.
VERDICT
Using the Mk3 Toyota MR2 is a real step forward for the Ferrari replica scene.
It’s dynamically accomplished and comes as a convertible in standard form.
DNA’s quality panels are the icing on the cake.
We liked: Quality of the panels, MR2 Mk3 underpinnings, neat hood system.
We didn’t like: Nothing worth mentioning here!
For more information contact:
DNA Automotive, 1180 Aldridge Road, Great Barr, Birmingham (viewing by
appointment). Tel: 0121 360 1390. Website: www.dnaautomotive.com
About £12,000 to £15,000 will get a DNA 351XTY on the road. Toyota MR2 Mk3 donor vehicle is getting cheaper all the time.
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WHICH KIT CAR? DECEMBER 2006