- - - - - - - - - - - 1970 - - - - - - - - - - -
It had been 12 years since the M40 was first released, and whilst the model had undergone two facelifts (in 1961 and 1963), it was getting very old-in-the-tooth. For 1970, Epoch uncovered a new replacement, based upon the previous year’s M10 Maxi chassis, released as the Epoch M40 Atlas 2300. Utilising an upgraded and oversized variant of the previous M40 engine, the M40 Atlas now boasted a 2290cc (140cui) inline 4 that output 63.5kW (85HP) and 158.5Nm (117ft lbs), allowing a 0-100 time of only 11.8 seconds. Developments in suspension design and manufacturing, along with increased chassis stiffness and durability, meant that the 1970 M40 Atlas could carry a load of over 2250kg (4860lbs), an amazing achievement for a car that weighed less than 1000kg (2200lbs). All that being said, this M40 was definitely more utilitarian and basic than any of the previous variants, and whilst it was an amazing commercial success it never the less alienated those who had previously used the M40 as a dual use every-day car / utility vehicle with its price of $1,334 ($8648 adjusted).
