by Brad Anderson
- Powering the lightweight racer is a Suzuki Hayabusa four-cylinder.
- The FP3 will be offered in naturally aspirated and turbocharged guises.
- The base model will deliver 210 hp and hit 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds.
If the idea of a road-legal Formula-style machine has ever lingered in the back of your mind, a small American startup is attempting to turn that fantasy into something you can actually park in your driveway. Ryn Motors is developing a car it calls the FP3, delivered as a three-wheeler but designed to convert easily into a four-wheeler.
Built around a semi-monocoque with a space-frame base and aluminum sheeting, the FP3 looks like a legitimate race car. Indeed, just like a Formula car, it even has a halo sitting over the central cockpit. Ordinarily, a vehicle like this would not be street-legal in the US, but Ryn Motors says it’s worked out a way to get the car registered.
Read: Congress Could Kill Three-Wheelers Like The Polaris With One Line Of Legal Fine Print
Those who order the FP3 will take delivery of it as a three-wheeler, meaning it can be certified as an autocycle. The three-wheeled setup includes a chain-driven setup similar to a motorcycle, as well as a distinctive rear-end, which can then be swapped out for the four-wheeled setup.
Suzuki Power
The car was originally going to be powered by a 1,100-cc engine from Aprilia, but Ryn has since opted for the 1,340 cc four-cylinder of a Suzuki Hayabusa. In standard guise, this engine will deliver 210 hp at 10,500 rpm and 120 lb-ft (163 Nm) of torque at 9,800 rpm and be coupled to a six-speed transmission.
As the entire car is designed to weigh just 1,140 lbs (517 kg) thanks to the liberal use of fiberglass in the bodywork, it should hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 2.8 seconds and pull up to 2.6G in the corners. For those seeking even more performance, a turbocharged Hayabusa engine will also be available, expected to deliver 290 hp and 130 lb-ft (176 Nm) of torque.
Aerodynamics play a central role in the FP3’s design. Ryn Motors claims the bodywork can generate up to 700 lbs (317 kg) of downforce, reinforcing its track-first intent. Comfort on public roads remains an open question, though that may not be the primary concern for its target audience.
How Much Does It Cost?
Ryn has opened up reservations for the FP3, with prices to start at $78,499 for the standard model and $101,499 for the FP3 Turbo. Development of the car is still ongoing, but delivery of the Early Access Edition is scheduled to start this November, followed by the Founder’s Edition in May 2027 and the Launch Edition in December 2027.
Context:
The Ryn FP3 bypasses US road laws by delivering as a three-wheeler, then converting to four wheels.
Context:
This loophole could inspire more Formula-style road cars if regulators don't close the autocycle exemption.
Context:
At 1,140 lbs with 210-290 hp, it rivals motorcycle power-to-weight ratios in a car body.
