Pure Machine - Ever get the feeling that cars today are trying too hard? Between overloaded touchscreens, overprotective driver aids, and tech that seems to think it knows better than you do, the simple joy of driving feels like it's slipping away. The road used to be a place to reconnect—with the car, the moment, and yourself. Now, it’s often just another interface. But at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, something different caught the spotlight. A sleek, roofless machine built not around apps or algorithms, but around driving itself: the Feroxa V8.
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| The Larkin Feroxa V8, a sleek and roofless sports car built for driving, not digital gimmicks, stole the spotlight at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed. (Picture from: CarBuzz) |
The man behind it is Douglas Larkin, a British engineer who’s spent years working at Aston Martin and Jaguar Land Rover. These days, he leads a company called Capture Point, specializing in 3D scanning and reverse engineering for everything from Formula 1 to restomod builds. But this project? This one’s personal. It’s the kind of car Larkin always dreamed of building—a raw, mechanical, driver-focused sports car with roots in classic British motoring.
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| The Larkin Feroxa V8 is a bespoke sports car developed using the chassis of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, specifically from the 2006 to 2018 production models, combining proven engineering with a fresh, lightweight design. (Picture from: CarBuzz) |
Rather than start from zero, Larkin chose to build the Feroxa V8 using the chassis from the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, specifically the 2006–2018 models. That means it’s based on Aston’s VH platform, a bonded aluminum structure known for its strength and lightness. Of course, he didn’t just drop on a new body and call it a day. The chassis has been re-engineered where needed to suit the Feroxa’s speedster shape and performance goals. Only manual transmissions will be offered, and buyers can choose either left- or right-hand drive layouts.
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| The Larkin Feroxa V8 features a re-engineered chassis tailored to its speedster form and performance goals, offering only manual transmission with a choice of left- or right-hand drive. (Picture from: CarBuzz) |
Visually, the Feroxa calls back to a golden era—when British sports cars were small, low, and full of character. Think AC Ace, early Lotus Elan, or even the racing spirit of an Aston Martin DBR 1. Its carbon fiber bodywork isn’t just about style; it helps the car hit a target curb weight of under 2,866 pounds. That’s significantly lighter than the original V8 Vantage, and a huge win for performance.
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| The Larkin Feroxa V8 prototype, shown at Goodwood with an unfinished interior, clearly remains a work in progress rather than a polished showpiece. (Picture from: CarBuzz) |
Under the hood, Larkin plans to retain the V8 Vantage’s 4.3-liter naturally aspirated V8, but with meaningful upgrades. A new exhaust system, custom headers, and a lightened flywheel help push output from the original 380 horsepower to around 420. It’s not about chasing the biggest numbers—it's about maximizing the connection between driver and machine. That said, there will be options. For those who want even more punch, Larkin intends to accommodate donor cars with V12 engines, raising output beyond 500 horsepower. He’s also in talks with Bamford Rose, a respected Aston Martin tuner, to offer enhanced V8 builds for even more excitement.
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| The Larkin Feroxa V8 features carbon fiber bodywork that not only enhances its style but also helps achieve a target curb weight under 2,866 pounds—significantly lighter than the original V8 Vantage and a major advantage for performance. (Picture from: CarBuzz) |
Inside, the prototype is still under construction. The car shown at Goodwood didn’t yet have a finished interior—proof that this is a work in progress, not just a concept for the cameras. But what’s already clear is the intent: simplicity, performance, and presence. No screens, no fluff—just the essentials needed for a great drive.
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| The Larkin Feroxa V8 retains the 4.3-liter naturally aspirated V8 from the original Vantage, enhanced with a new exhaust system, custom headers, and a lightened flywheel to boost output from 380 to around 420 horsepower. (Picture from: CarBuzz) |
Only ten units are planned for production, making the Feroxa V8 a truly rare machine. Pricing hasn’t been finalized, and will likely depend on donor car choice and final configuration. Development is ongoing, but Larkin expects to complete the prototype by the end of the year, with a full reveal set for next spring. | R816bsueEDM |
In a market crowded with fast cars that feel more like gadgets than machines, the Feroxa V8 offers something refreshingly honest. It’s light, analog, and built with a clear purpose: to put the driver back at the center of the experience. Whatever shape the final version takes, the vision is already loud and clear—and for those who still crave a proper drive, that’s more than enough to get excited about. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LARKIN | CARBUZZ | HAGERTY | HOTCARS ] Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
