At first glance, the new Ultima Can Am looks very similar to the current Spyder. However, a closer look reveals that there are a few important differences. Basically, the Can Am is a roofless version of the GTR, while the Spyder was based on the Sport (the forerunner of the GTR). Clear as mud, then I'll continue...

The Spyder was originally conceived as a cheaper and simpler to build alternative to the Sport. It was thought that builders would fit the Rover V8/Renault gearbox combination to the car. Although it is a cheaper and easier car to build, most owners have chosen the small block Chevy engine with Porsche G50 gearbox combination, which has become pretty much the standard Ultima power train in the UK (although in the US, builders seem to have fitted just about every type and size of engine you could imagine). This makes for a very quick car - that fills up with water every time it rains. Quite handy for the UK then.

Monsoon

The first difference you notice with the Can Am is the windscreen. More specifically, you notice that there are two windscreens. You see, the Spyder has a small wrap around screen, which would be fine in California, or in the South of France, but isn't best suited to the somewhat moist weather that we are blessed with in the UK. The words "weather protection" don't enter into the vocabulary of the Ultima Spyder owner. This does tend to limit the usefulness of the car as an everyday runaround. The Can Am addresses this problem, while still allowing the owner to experience the full monsoon experience if they wish. 

The car comes with 2 interchangeable windscreens. The standard Spyder style (Ultima suggest that it is used on track days and at times when you can guarantee sunshine, or when you need a shower), and a taller wrap around screen, which is similar to that fitted to the GTR. While this still leaves the driver with a full open air experience, we are told that there is a weather protection pack (which we haven't yet seen) available in combination with this taller screen that will keep the rain off your hairdo. The two windscreens can easily be interchanged, although it looks like you would need the aid of a couple of able assistants to perform the changeover.

Wings

The other obvious change is the adoption of a more businesslike GTR style rear wing. Aerodynamic efficiency is a large part of the Ultima package, so the addition of a proper rear wing, along with the extended rear end should improve the stability of the Can Am.

The rest of the car exterior looks fairly similar to the previous model from the outside. As previously mentioned, the GTR headlights, front splitter, extended tail and rear wing are all there, giving the car a more squared off rear, and a somewhat cleaner lines, but to the uninitiated, it would be hard to tell the differences unless you saw the cars side by side.

Interior

A look at the interior reveals a fairly standard Ultima pattern. This includes the somewhat irritating positioning of the instrument binnacle in the centre of the dash, instead of behind the steering wheel, where it belongs. The interior is spartan aluminium - you wouldn't want carpets, as they'd soon become soaked, smelly and rotten. Overall, it looks very clean and purposeful.

The one feature that strikes you as different from all other Ultima models is the gear stick. It's in the "normal" place. Normal for any other car that is, not mounted on the right hand side pod like all other Ultimas. It's sitting there right between the driver and passenger. We haven't had a chance to examine how the linkage is routed yet, or how it compares to the right hand mounting, but hopefully we'll get our eager hands on it soon!