UK’s Connaught Motor Company has set up its new global headquarters and R&D center in Wales and is well underway in the development of the world’s first green high-performance hybrid sports coupe. Connaught has spent close to £12 million in building the high-tech facility, which will employee up to 200 new staff over the next three years.

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The brand was only re-established back in 2002 after a 40 year hiatus, but the small company has already developed five world-class prototypes and is ready to start production of its Type-D sports car in Wales by the end of the year, with the first customer deliveries to commence in early 2008. The company expects to build 100 cars in its first year of production, with 250 in the second year and five year target of 1,000 cars per annum.

The Connaught Type D GT Syracuse will feature a 2.0L supercharged V10 producing an estimated 300bhp. The vehicle will be followed by another hybrid version that’s pegged to be the world’s first truly high performance hybrid sports coupe and is said to produce 30% less CO2 emissions than the class average. Connaught claims the hybrid sports car will have a fuel economy rating of 42mpg and will be able to complete the 0-60mph dash in 6.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 150mph.