V-Twin up front, party in the rear: TwinTech V-twin Formula car
If this looks to you like an Ariel Atom with a front-mounted V-Twin engine, you're not seeing things. And no, it's not a photoshop. Michigan-based TwinTech has built what they think will be a unique competitor in the specialty trackday toy market. The 1.75-inch tube frame chassis appears to be a little broader than the Atom's but aside from that they look quite similar. Until you spot the S & S V-Twin protruding from the snout.
So it has a motorcycle engine in the front instead of a Japanese mill out back as God intended. The unique design is said to achieve a perfect 50-50 weight distribution. A VW transaxle and Hewland gearbox are inverted and mounted in the rear. The design allows a slew of engine options including supercharged 200+hp variations, but at a curb weight of just 1,120 pounds, even the stock 125 horse version in this prototype should be good for 0-60 in 4.5 seconds.
And lest you think this is some backyard burner built by a couple of guys with too much tubing and time on their hands, the design team includes former Ford engineers and techs Dave Piontek, Jay Novak and Kip Ewing. Between the three of them they have racing and engineering expertise in formula racers and production cars and expect that the production version of the V-Twin Formula Car will sell for around $50,000. Perhaps a lot of money for a car with no track record, but the team expects that people will recognize the quality of engineering and materials used and that will translate into sales. A possible kit version is also being discussed.
[Source: Kit Car via Winding Road]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
James 3:38PM (9/15/2006)
Dave Piontek, as in the designer of the Piontek Sportec?
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Randall Halcomb 3:55PM (9/15/2006)
OMG MUST BUY ONE!
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dreesemonkey 3:58PM (9/15/2006)
I'd still rather have the atom, but that's insanely cool. Maybe a turbo'd busa engine in one of these things? :)
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Bryan Kent 4:18PM (9/15/2006)
I'd much rather go for the the lighter more powerful, cheaper, and in my opinion better looking Ariel...
For sure the Atom will have a hell of a lot more torque.
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Max 5:06PM (9/15/2006)
What a fantastic idea. A big chrome V-twin outfront beats a hood ornament anyday.
$50k seems awfully steep for what you're buying, but I guess having a vehicle as unique as this one comes at a price.
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Peter 4:25PM (9/15/2006)
Shades of the original Morgan! A bit faster, though.
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The Duke 4:21PM (9/15/2006)
To bad that thing has a pseudo Hardley Ableson motor. It needs an Aprilia Rotax motor. More HP, more Torque, FAR better reliability and the exhaust note won't sound like potato potato potato potato potato potato
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kansei 4:29PM (9/15/2006)
needs more wankel :P
really though.. it just needs something that won't sound like a stupid harley.
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taipeileviathan 4:36PM (9/15/2006)
lmao... potato potato potato...
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G 4:59PM (9/15/2006)
Why mess around with that lame engine? A turbocharged Hayabusa engine at 600hp would work just as well and probably cost less.
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rwdmtparkingonly 5:01PM (9/15/2006)
The engines available in the Ariel Atom could kill a 'busa, Aprilia Rotax, or wankel engine. Anyone seeking the most power can get an Atom for about what this costs.
The people who will buy this want a Harley or Harley clone engine in a lightweight sports car, they don't care that a big twin might not produce the most impressive output numbers.
An Atom or Elise is for track days, this is for Daytona Beach and Sturgis.
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Max 5:06PM (9/15/2006)
I think the reason they used the Harley motor are three fold.
1. The engine is not directly linked to the transmission...allowing them to transversely mount it and use a driveshaft. It also elimiates the chain drive and headaches for operating the transmission.
2. It's air cooled with dry sump lubrication which makes packaging a lot easier.
3. Harley engines are available readily in the aftermarket (S&S,) which makes supplying the motors very easy.
It's a neat car. Don't under estimate the old V-twin motor. This is a very powerful engine. It's akin to the SBC....an ancient design that continues to work well.
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Mike 3:31AM (9/16/2006)
Awesome looking machine, but I'm not sure why they would stick some old V twin in it, or why they would situate the V twin the way they did. It looks like it was an afterthought. It would make more sense if it had some type of cowling over it.
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risingsun 3:20AM (9/16/2006)
it looks like an ariel some dude built in his garage... while drunk, and working off of only pictures, and the spare parts of his broken down harley.
it's just wrong when a company has a patent/copyright on the way their engine SOUNDS. they design it to SOUND stupid.
Let's see... for the same money I can get a supercharged Ariel Atom with a Honda K20 jewel sitting out back? No question.
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MikeW 1:45PM (9/16/2006)
So what is the weight distribution with two guys in there, 45/55?
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Brian 1:47AM (9/18/2006)
Re #1- Yes, that Dave Piontek. He designed the Sportec along with Jay Novak also. Another awesome car.
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David S 10:49AM (9/19/2006)
A heavier, slower, more expensive version of the Ariel Atom.
If it uses a harley engine then tack on it having the oldest and poorest engine design that HD has clung to for dear life.
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