Shamelessly stolen from the lr4x4 forum (http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=45947)...

Some info on the new Ibex F8 from David Foers


The F8 will replace the existing Ibex range and be available in a number of wheelbase and body configurations.

We don't yet have any literature available but please find some details below:

* The chassis is a stiff, high strength and lightweight steel monocoque. Hot dip galvanised to allow zinc to coat the inside and outside of all sections. The underside of the standard chassis rails act as rock sliders. As do the sills which have the option of recovery and jacking points built in. The sides of the rear tub are structural and act as tree sliders. Front and rear recovery points are standard.
* Every chassis has the facility for our unique centre winch system built in as standard.
* Clearance angles are huge, 90 degrees front and rear with high sills and large wheel arches to allow fitment of oversize tyres.
* Soft-top, pick-up, hard-top and fast-back body configurations are quickly and easily interchangeable.
* The roof is easily removed to allow unhindered installation of a competition roll cage around the existing roll over structure.
* Lift-off doors with electric, wind up or sliding windows.
* The bonnet/front clamshell tilts forward and is quick release for unhindered engine bay access. Available in GRP or woven carbon/glass fibre.
* Wheel arch mudguards are quick release and available in the same materials as the bonnet.
* The engine and transmission are even further back in the chassis than current Ibex. Almost all the weight is between the axles providing excellent on and off road handling characteristics.
* All features, brackets and holes are part of the structure to make building from kit straightforward.
* Available in various stages of build, from bare bodyshell to turn-key, road registered vehicles.
* As with the current Ibex we can customise vehicles to meet specific needs.

The Ibex F8 will continue to utilise Land Rover Defender power train with a modular engine mounting system allowing a number of engine and transmission options.

I don't have a full vehicle weight yet but the predicted chassis weight for a 250S (100" wheelbase) is 320kg. This is the full monocoque weight including roll over protection, underside and sill rock sliders, tree sliders and winch housing. This compares with 385kg for a current production, standard Ibex 240 (90" wheelbase without winch tray and protection)

One of the main drivers for the new design is weight reduction, especially where vehicles are modified for competition use. The kerb weight of current production Ibex 240 is around 1700kg which is about the same as a Land Rover Defender. We aim to be significantly lighter with the new F8.

We do not yet have prices but expect the sale price to be no more than current Ibex with kits from around £6,000 and fully built vehicles from around £25,000.

Prototypes are under construction which you are more than welcome to come and view. The first production vehicles are available from November this year. We are currently accepting orders for these vehicles and just require a £500 deposit to secure your place in the order book.

Please feel free to contact me if you need any further information.


Best Regards,

David Foers
IBEX Vehicles
Foers Engineering Ltd
T: +44 (0)1434 345468 / 320995
M: +44 (0)7814 932199
F: +44 (0)1434 345468
W: www.ibexvehicles.com www.ibexf8.com

http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u357/bonkas4x4wales/ibex%20f8/f84sm.jpg
http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u357/bonkas4x4wales/ibex%20f8/f85editsm.jpg

http://i519.photobucket.com/albums/u357/bonkas4x4wales/ibex%20f8/f86sm.jpg

I wasn't very impressed when I was involved with an 127" Ibex, the frame looked very amateur with little or no gusseting or fishplating of welded butt joints in load-paths, I Hope things have improved since then. Are Ricardo still involved with this product?

I am surprised that Drew didn't branch out with the Wildcat and develop frames for low-speed competition (as he did with the two Bowler Cobras he built) but I guess there is more money and kudos in speed events and I can't say I blame him.

Low mass is definitely the way to go though. Best of luck to him!

I wasn't very impressed when I was involved with an 127" Ibex, the frame looked very amateur with little or no gusseting or fishplating of welded butt joints in load-paths, I Hope things have improved since then. Are Ricardo still involved with this product?

I am surprised that Drew didn't branch out with the Wildcat and develop frames for low-speed competition (as he did with the two Bowler Cobras he built) but I guess there is more money and kudos in speed events and I can't say I blame him.

Low mass is definitely the way to go though. Best of luck to him!

im sorry but i dont understand the connection between ibex and Drew Bolwer???

Serg

im sorry but i dont understand the connection between ibex and Drew Bolwer???

Serg

I thought it was just me :confused:

i will say this though, i understand the reason behind using rover components for axles and suspension etc....but since they are building a whole new chassis and that its designed for people that are going to lift it and put bigger tyres on, i would have liked to see the trailing arm and radius are mounts closer to the middle.... of coarse this would mean new radius arms and trailing arms, but they could be fabbed up for a resonable cost im sure.....

just my opinion,
Serg

I thought it was just me :confused:

Both Drew Bowler and John Foers used Land Rover components on their space-frame products, Bowler aimed for speed events - Comp-Safari and latterly Rally Raid whilst Foers aimed his at those with a need for a high-mobility vehicle with a long life.

I am not surprised that Bowler didn't pursue the trials / extreme mobility path - I guess because peed events attract more money and publicity in the EU.

The Foers vehicle was adopted by many folks who compete in challenge events - Maddison 4x4 springs to mind.

Does that explain it?