Riot SE was voted car of the year by Which Kit? Magazine (now Complete Kit Car). This diminutive sports car is destined for a great future.

The traditional layout for a car of this style is for the engine to be mounted in the front driving the rear wheels. Sylva decided to rewrite the formula.

With virtually all small/medium cars of the last two decades having transverse, front wheel drive power plants, it has become much harder to source engines and gearboxs to suit the classic format. As with mainstream sports cars like the Elise, MR2 and MGF, the solution is obvious but not it seems in the kit car industry.

The appeal of transferring the fwd power plant in its entirety to the rear of the car is positively desirable. The Riot works so well for many reasons, the installation of the super light 1250, 1400 or 1600 Ford Zetec SE is certainly a major factor. This Yamaha designed engine is not only ultra light it is also very powerful and economical when combined with the Sylva stainless catalyst exhaust system.

Both front and rear suspension are fully independent and at the front the shock absorbers are mounted inboard for aerodynamic and dynamic considerations. Disc brakes are used front and rear. Bodywork is minimal and, as is often the case with function over style, the overall effect is surprisingly appealing.

Although the car is smaller than most of its type the cockpit will comfortably accommodate most drivers. Performance is sensational, with just 470kg. to propel the little Ford engine has an easy life. However it is the overall package that scores, with it’s sublime handling, powerful brakes it is the point to point ability that makes the Riot special and was the reason it was chosen as the Kit Car Of The Year. It is no surprise to find that construction is easy with such a simple format and should be well within the capabilities of most amateur home constructors. Build cost should be around £7000 on the road, great value for money.

Read the Riot SE article written by Steve Hole, Totalkitcar.com, Jan 6th 2006 here

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