Murtaya

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The Murtaya is a lightweight, all‑wheel‑drive roadster built by ALS Sports Cars LLP near Tyne and Wear since 2006. It’s based on the Subaru Impreza WRX STI and was created as a single‑donor car, meaning it uses parts from one Subaru donor rather than mixing parts from several cars. The project was led by Neil Yates, Tom Taylor and Daniel Muir, and the name comes from combining their surnames (Muir, Taylor, Yates).

The car originally appeared as AMS1, a kit car based on the Impreza, and it is a rework of the Delfino Feroce (itself inspired by the Minari). After Adrenaline Motorsport’s decline in 2010, an investor kept the project alive and eventually formed Murtaya Sports Cars Limited. Three Murtayas were built in New Zealand under license between 2009 and 2012. In 2013, the production rights and tooling were sold to ALS Sports Cars LLP, who restarted production after a pause.

The Murtaya uses a GRP (fiberglass) monocoque with a front space‑frame that holds the engine. It’s an all‑rounder, offered in two main styles: a road car with a full windshield and comfort features (air conditioning, leather, sound insulation, power windows, etc.), and a track car with a small windscreen and lighter weight.

Engine options range from about 2.0 to 2.5 liters of turbocharged flat‑four power, producing roughly 150–400 hp depending on the setup. Transmissions are 5‑ or 6‑speed manuals, and the car weighs about 850–925 kg (dry weight around 1,870–2,035 lb). The Murtaya is designed as a front‑engine, all‑wheel‑drive vehicle and is considered a rare, low‑volume specialist rally car (MSA category 2).