Investment body Business Birmingham has developed a sports car concept that they believe will help foster business and research relations between India and the city they represent. The Bolt epitomizes Birmingham's ability to develop and produce a sports car, said to be able to launch in 18 months once a buyer is found. Birmingham is home to 2/3rds of all automotive R&D in Britain and this new project, set for its debut at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo, will help the bureau stir up some interest for joint business ventures.

"The majority of The Bolt's body, chassis, interior and underlying componentry could be supplied locally - seeing this design or one very much like it accelerate from the drawing board and onto roads in under 18 months using our existing research, development and manufacturing base," said Martyn Mangan, Business Birmingham's tech and manufacturing investments manager. The Birmingham Bolt can run on either a hybrid 34kW electric motor or a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired to a ZF transmission. It should put out more than 300hp and reportedly can... bolt form 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds.

A top speed of over 185mph has been touted as well. It sits on a set of Rimstock wheels wrapped in Goodyear rubbers. Business Birmingham's Bolt concept will debut on January 5th at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo.