AUTOMOTIVE 111
DESIGN-LED
Founded in 2016 , Oxfordshire , UK-based Theon Design is headed by Adam Hawley , a car designer with over 20 years of experience working for leading OEMs , such as BMW , Jaguar , Lotus and Lexus . The Theon Design team – comprising experts in automotive design , engineering , engine and chassis development , as well as trim and vehicle manufacturing – is united around a singular objective : creating the ultimate air-cooled 911 .
The company evolved from Hawley ’ s obsessive desire to build the perfect 911 – one that teamed the looks and driver involvement of an analogue classic with modern comfort , driveability and performance . “ At Theon our goal is to enhance the classic Porsche 911 formula , applying an OEM-like approach with Computer Aided Design ( CAD ) and manufacture to ensure the highest possible quality and finish ,” explains Hawley .
The results are clear to see : BEL001 distils and enhances the essence of the aircooled 911 – while incorporating modern innovations that lift performance into a new realm .
SUPERCHARGED POWER
The first area of innovation lies in BEL001 ’ s beautifully resolved engine bay : the supercharged air-cooled flat-six . The 3.6-litre unit has been built and expertly calibrated to ensure it meets , and indeed surpasses , the discerning customer ’ s exacting performance and driveability brief . While breaking new ground with the flatsix ’ s supercharged configuration , the team has gone to great lengths to ensure that the ‘ Porsche ’ feel of the motor is retained . Power builds in a linear fashion as the revs rise and the supercharger spins faster , pulling with ever increasing force , with a further kick in the upper reaches of the rev band .
With 400 bhp and 367 lb / ft of torque , BEL001 ’ s supercharged motor gives the best of all worlds : total tractability with accessible , lag-free supercharged torque , while retaining the spellbinding top-end surge of a motorsport-honed , naturally aspirated Porsche flat-six . Breathing through a bespoke switchable , stainlesssteel exhaust system with equal length headers , the motor ’ s distinct howl remains front and centre – with only a subtle aural hint of forced induction .
As with all Theon powerplants , BEL001 ’ s supercharged flat-six has been entirely rebuilt and re-engineered , with independent throttle bodies , flowed and ported heads , a lightened bottom end , motorsport grade Mahle barrels and pistons , as well as Carillo rods and custom profile camshafts .
The compact supercharger is packaged with Theon ’ s typical elegance - in keeping with its ‘ OEM +’ standards . Nestled just to the right of the gleaming engine , the Rotrex Supercharger is installed where the original air-conditioning unit used to sit , making use of the existing mounting-points , now significantly reinforced to ensure there is no movement or flex , even in the most extreme of driving situations . The compact Rotrex centrifugal unit was developed in close collaboration with the Danish company , which uses a patented traction drive technology to deliver superior efficiency , reduced emissions and exceptional responsiveness .
BEL001 , like every one of Theon ’ s meticulously developed , sympathetically enhanced commissions , was first stripped to a bare metal shell and rebuilt from the ground up to its exacting ‘ OEM +’ standards . Once again honouring Stuttgart ’ s rich heritage and engineering ethos , BEL001 benefits from a focus on CAD assisted lightweighting throughout .
Issue 56 2023 THE ART OF LUXURY