The Connaught name has its origins in 1950s open-wheel competition. After producing a series of F2 machines, the company reached its zenith in 1955 when driver Tony Brooks won the Syracuse Grand Prix in a Connaught (hence the "Syracuse" label for the new Type-D). Unfortunately, Connaught ran short of funding and closed in 1957.

Today's incarnation of the storied British name is the product of ex-Jaguar consultant engineers Tim Bishop and Tony Martindale, who met while working on Jaguar's X-type program.

Having purchased the long-dormant name, Bishop and Martindale set up the new Connaught Motor Company in Daventry, Northamptonshire, England. A virtual car company, Connaught will handle design, planning, and prototype engineering, but manufacturing will be outsourced to technology partner EPM.