This post is on the plethora of cars available across the globe masquerading or touting rather dramatically as wannabe Super Cars, some of them are genuinely in the Super Car League, but few of them are not as they are mere conventional Sports Cars, however, it would be interesting to discover more about them in detail and you can be your own judge. This list is not exhaustive but I found the cars specified below to a great extent interesting, intriguing & fascinating!
| LOBINI H1 | LARAKI EPITOME |
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| The Lobini H1 project was created in 1999. It is aimed at developing a Brazilian sports car with technology and design comparable with international vehicles in the same category. Lobini, which was recently bought by Brax Automobile. Lobini H1 uses Audi engines and has a fiberglass body. The car has a removable hard-top roof, redesigned front with new headlights and an aerodynamic kit which makes it a very appealing sports car. On the inside the Lobini H1 comes with leather seats available in light gray, dark gray or black. Lobini H1 in standard form comes with a rollover bar, sound system, air conditioning, electric windows and adjustable seats and steering wheel. Optional equipment include: Xenon headlights, GPS, DVD, parking sensor, tire pressure alarm and personalized colors. (Text: NetCarShow) |
Laraki Automobiles S.A. is a Moroccan based company established in Casablanca with the intention to develop and sell luxurious high-performance sports cars.Its owner is Abdeslam Laraki, a Moroccan designer who started out creating luxurious yachts and also worked for Franco Sbarro. The technical director is Dr Peter Tutzer, previously with Bugatti.
The Laraki Epitome was unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2013. Fitted with the engine from C6 Corvette V8, Laraki added twin turbochargers to the already powerful engine, fueled by 91-octane gasoline. The Epitome can produce 1,200 HP, and a second fuel tank filled with 110-octane fuel up it to 1,750 HP. The body is made of carbon fiber. (Text: Wikipedia)
MARUSSIA B1
MARUSSIA B2
The Marussia B1 is Russia’s first Super Car. Designed and built in-house at the state-of-the-art Marussia Motors production facility in Moscow, the B1 combines a strong and distinctive character with cutting edge engineering. The B1 is a unique sports car with world-class capabilities.
Following in the great Super Car tradition, the B1 is a powerful and lightweight mid-engined, two-seater, trimmed with the finest natural materials and equipped with state-of-the-art electronics. It will remain exclusive since only 2999 cars are planned to be produced.
Built around an extremely light and strong semi-monocoque structure. it is clothed in a striking and aerodynamically efficient bodywork, designed using sophisticated Computational Fluid Dynamics Computer Software. The car is powered by a Cosworth V6 engine developing between 300 and 420bhp depending on specifications. Despite its skeletal weight and high-performance the B1 is no stripped-bare Super Car. Comprehensively equipped with an advanced infotainment system, air-conditioning and electric windows, Marussia delivers performance tailored for the 21st century. (Text: Adapted from Marussiamotors.ru)
An evolution of Russia’s first supercar, the Marussia B2 is an overt expression of its capabilities and ambition. It uses the same exceptionally light and strong chassis structure combined with Cosworth power units. Cleverly styled to mimic the ‘M’ of the Marussia logo, the B2 has an incredibly powerful face. Satin black paintwork emphasises the hungry intakes and geometric elements to the grille and headlamp apertures, while deeply recessed intakes ahead of the rear wheels add to the B2 insectile appearance.
Just as the B1 and B2 share chassis and power train designs, so they also utilize the same adjustable suspension (developed in partnership with German brand KW), hugely powerful brakes, ultra-light alloy wheels and high-performance tyres.
The B2 also has some striking differences. One you’ll notice as you make to climb in are the doors, which open in a different but equally dramatic way to the steeply upswept doors of the B1. The interior is also a unique design, although it features all the equipment and multimedia systems that set a Marussia apart from all other Super Cars. (Text: Adapted from Marussiamotors.ru)
HTT PLETHORE
YES ROADSTER 3.2 TURBO
I am certain you have not heard of HTT Plethore, well I did not until recently. This is Canada’s entry into the exclusive Super Car Club. Pléthore is the Latin word for Abundance -- and the perfect description of the HTT Pléthore LC750: abundantly fast, abundantly luxurious, abundantly exciting to drive and to look at. And let’s make this clear from the outset: abundantly different from every other Super Car. The nearest thing to a F1™ car for the road.
This aggressive yet elegant driving machine is powered by a supercharged 750 HP aluminum V8 which permits it to reach 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds. Power is delivered to the road through a similarly capable electronically controlled 6-speed gearbox, giving the driver the choice between a conventional shift lever and F1™ style paddle shifters. Top speed is an astonishing 247mph (398km/h), thanks to a race car-like power-to-weight ratio of more than 0.6 horsepower per kilogram. This is no ordinary car, its ownership will be a coveted experience indeed. (Text: Adapted from HTT Plethore)
Yes! Roadster 3.2 Turbo is a high-performance sports car manufactured by YES! Beteiligungs-und Besitzgesellschaft mbH, Kassel Germany. Yes! is an acronym for Young Engineers Sportscar. YES! was founded by Marco Kunz. The car comes Without electronic aids such as ESP or anti-lock brakes and the driver solely steers this little wonder surrendering only to the laws of the road. An aluminium Spaceframe reduces the weight to 1090 kg. In the rear is a 355-hp 3.2 liter turbo engine that accelerates in 3.9 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. Rapid 10.9 seconds from 0-200 km/h. If desired, additional performance increases are possible.
The construction of a single vehicle takes about 600 working hours. The sheer number of spot welds on the aluminum frame are painstakingly set by hand. Every single wire harness is also completed by hand. Even the upholstery patterns for the interior are made and fixed by hand. The result is a unique and remarkable roadster with a ready made "licence for racing" tag. (Text: Adapted from Wikipedia and Yes!)
RIMAC CONCEPT ONE
DONKERVOORT D8 GTO
Rimac Automobili is a Croatian company that develops and produces high-performance electric vehicles, drivetrain and battery systems. Rimac Automobili's first model, the Concept One, is known as the world's fastest production electric vehicle.The idea was to create an exceptional Super Car with a unique power train. The ability of controlling each wheel separately, hundreds of times per second, in both directions is a huge advantage compared to traditional sports cars. An electric motor does not know the words “lag”, or “time to change gears”. Focused on the driving experience, the Concept_One is driven by the most high-tech components of electric propulsion, developed in a cutting-edge Research and Development facility. With a curb weight of 1950 kg, and 1088 HP, the Concept One can reach 100 km/h from standstill in 2.8 seconds and will continue to accelerate to over 300 km/h.
The Concept One is designed to be the best Super Car, not just a Super Car with electric motors. The independent drive system and low mounted batteries improves driving dynamics. The Chassis is developed from scratch around the power train and battery pack. The Concept One is hand built using the best available materials and components. All key components are designed, engineered and manufactured by Rimac Automobili. (Text Adapted from Wikipedia and Rimac Automobili)
Donkervoort Automobielen BV is a manufacturer of authentic hand-built and ultra light weight sports cars based in Lelystad in the Netherlands. This car brand was founded in 1978 by Joop Donkervoort.The Donkervoort D8 GTO with a unprecedented power-to-weight ratio is one of the fastest street-legal cars in the world. It is powered by a new generation Audi 5-cylinder 349bhp 2.5 liter TFSI engine, boasting a power rating of 340 to 380 hp and 450 Nm of torque starting at around 1600 rpm. The vehicle is made of tubular steel frame and bound by carbon fiber composite panels thus ensuring rigidity and considerable weight reduction. The car's chassis and suspension has been reworked and fitted with new anti-roll bar and the rear axle construction has been designed from scratch.
The interior of the D8 GTO reflects the true identity of the car as a purebred race car.The upholstery is entirely custom made, in keeping with the customer’s taste. One can choose from hundreds of colors, different types of leather, and a wide range of stitching and patterns.Unnecessary features have been omitted in favor of a car that is as light as possible and provides corresponding performance. A Donkervoort is not just a car; it’s an experience. And that term has taken on new meaning with the new GTO. (Text: Adapted from Donkervoort)
TRANMONTANA XTR
TUSHEK & SPIGEL TS600
Tramontana is an European company, which was founded in 2005 with the aim of designing and manufacturing luxury cars of superior quality. Its business concept is “high technology and handcrafted exclusivity”, a fusion of craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. The company is based on the Costa Brava, north of Barcelona in Spain.
In its thirst for constant innovation, over the past five years, the company has designed, developed, certified and manufactured a new car called the Tramontana. The combination of Formula 1 racer parts and a design reminiscent of a jet fighter affords this car a character that sets it apart from the more established names.The Tramontana has passed the most demanding technical tests, achieving the category of “Super Car”. The vehicle was first marketed and sold in 2010.
XTR is the extreme version, with the most radical chassis modifications and clearly oriented towards pure performance. It incorporates an ultra-rapid competition gearbox. Additional aerodynamic appendages to optimize the vehicle’s performance at high speeds. It has a V-12 720/888 hp engine. The other models are Tramontana R/S/C and X-Over. (Text Adapted from Tranmontana Website)
Tushek & Spigel Supercars GmbH is an Austrian manufacturer of supercars, based in Mureck. The company was founded by Slovenian racing driver Aljosha Tushek and Jacob Carl Spigel. An ‘emotive’ car, perfectly engineered according to the latest technology, yet with a soul. It is exceptionally light, stunningly fast and a true Super Car. Continuing the obsessive focus on lightweight engineering, with an exceptionally low center of gravity, very low un-sprung weight and driver communication the TS 600 comes to the market with up to 620 hp/tonne, larger ultra-light ceramic brakes. This is a Super Sport Car, a car that is sharper and with a more direct line of communication between driver and road than any other car found on the international scene at the moment. It is made exclusively from lightweight racing and aviation-spec materials, such as titanium, carbon and aluminium.
The V8-engine speak over 350kmh able to conquests 100kmh in only 2.9sec and the flat torque curve provides over 500nm from 2900rpm to 8200rpm. TS 600 generates 1.8g of lateral acceleration thanks to a very low center of gravity helps from a longitudinal engine and gearbox layout, wishbones suspension with inboard damping and very low un-sprung weight. (Text Adapted from Tushek &Spigel)
ULTIMA GTR
HOFSTETTER TURBO
The Ultima GTR is a sports car manufactured by Ultima Sports Ltd of Hinckley, Leicestershire, England, and described by commentators as a Super Car. The car is available both in kit form and as a "turnkey" (Assembled by the factory) vehicle. The design is mid engined, rear wheel drive layout, with a tubular steel space frame chassis and GRP bodywork. A convertible version called the Ultima Can-Am is also produced. Due to its kerb weight of 990 kg (2,183 lb), the power-to-weight ratio for the GTR720 is 727 hp (542 kW) per tonne is a better ratio than the Bugatti Veyron, Enzo Ferrari, Ascari A10, Koenigsegg CCX or CCGT, it's also lesser to the Caparo T1. (Text: Adapted from Wikipedia - UltimateSports
I am including the exotic Hofstetter Turbo in this list even though the company is defunct, solely because it is one of my favorite designs. Mario Richard Hofstetter created this car evidently inspired by the Alfa Romeo Bertone Carabo concept of 1968. I remember seeing this beautiful car in the Daily Express World Car Series magazines in the late 80’s, since then I have been fascinated by this car, mainly because it was made under difficult circumstances by a third world country and the company managed to produce 18 of these exquisite wonders. Mario Hofstetter made this car at this time as the Brazilian government was very strict and didn't allow imports into Brazil. A variety of different Volkswagen engines were used in the models.
PANOZ ESPERANTE SPYDER
CAPARO T1 EVOLUTION
Designed to provide uncompromised performance, the Panoz Esperante Spyder is free of the concessions typically made to compensate for open air motoring. The rigidity that is inherent in the Spyder’s chassis design ensures the same exceptional levels of traction, braking cornering capability that are typically achievable only with a coupe or sedan.
The Spyder's rigid chassis also allows exceptional handling characteristics to be achieved without sacrificing ride comfort. Add a luxurious interior with comfortable custom leather seats and appointments are available for Grand Touring experience.(Text: Panoz)
Developed by engineers that helped deliver the iconic McLaren F1, the Caparo T1 was created to showcase the best of British Super Car engineering. The company is owned by the Indian business mogul Lord Swaraj Pal of the Caparo Group, UK.
A one-of-its-kind supercar that set new boundaries in performance, driver experience and enjoyment. If you don’t already know why find out here. The Caparo T1 has an very high specification that is comparable only to a handful Super Cars in the world.(Text: Caparo-T1)
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