Mitsuoka Orochi specs, pricing announced
Japanese automaker Mitsuoka has revealed the production version of it's unique-looking mid-engined Orochi sports car, along with the car's production plans, pricing, and specifications. The Orochi, named for an eight-headed serpent out of Japanese folklore, first appeared as a 2001 concept car, and from the looks of things, the production vehicle stays very true to the concept. The Orochi was introduced at a press conference that opened with a Kabuki show (above right), during which a white example of the sports car was driven onstage. In the past, we've seen the Orochi referred to as a supercar, but while it looks as (if not more) exotic as just about any limited-production vehicle on the planet, it lacks the performance credentials (on paper, at least) to put it in supercar territory. In fact, the powertrain will be familiar to many. The 3.3L V6 mounted aft of the passenger compartment is Toyota's well-known 3MZ-FE, which sees duty in the Camry, Solara, Sienna, Highlander, and Lexus RX (hybrid and standard versions). It makes around 230 horsepower and is connected to a Toyota 5-speed automatic. The decision was made to place efficiency and ease of use ahead of high performance.
Speaking of performance, no numbers were released along with the technical specifications, but don't expect anything earth-shattering. The car's average power, combined with a weight of approximately 3,400 pounds (around 100 less than a Solara), is not a recipe for big-time track numbers. In Japan, though, exclusivity seems to trump all, and that's a commodity the Orichi has in abundance. So what if it has just 230 horsepower? In Japan, arriving anywhere in one of these will bestow instant superstar status upon the driver.
400 Orochis will be built over the next four years, each costing ¥10,500,000 (around $89,000 USD). Orders can be placed beginning today with the first deliveries taking place in January 2007.
(Photos, tech specs after the jump)
[Source: Carview (translated)]
Production Version:
2001 Concept:
Technical Specifications:
Total length / Width / Total height = 4560mm / 2035mm / 1180mm
Wheelbase: 2600mm
Ground Clearance: 130mm
Vehicle weight: 1580kg
Passengers: 2
Engine: 3.3L V6DOHC (Toyota 3MZ-FE)
Max output: 233ps (172kW) at 5600rpm
Max torque: 33.4kg-m (328Nm) at 4400rpm
Fuel capacity: 60 liters (unleaded premium)
Transmission: 5-speed AT (Toyota)
Drive system: Mid-engine/rear drive
Suspension: front and rear double wishbone
Tires: Front: 245/45ZR18, Rear: 285/40ZR18
Body: hand made FRP make body
Door: side impact door with built-in steel beams
Chassis: handmade steel space frame
Equipment:
Low-beam side HID, motorized door mirror, airbags, automatic A/C, the Panasonic HDD Navigation, power windows, immobilizer, and full leather interior all standard
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
slicecom 2:00PM (10/03/2006)
WOW! That car is UGLY! For some reason when i saw it in the paper this morning, it reminded me of that car that homer simpson designed.
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TheOne442 2:07PM (10/03/2006)
slicecom this is nothing like the car homer designed. As for the design it is very animal-like. looks good if it can move!
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Pinkerton 2:09PM (10/03/2006)
Mothra! Godzilla! If i've told you once, I've told you a million times... don't play in my yard or you'll step on my Lexus SC400. Now look what happened!
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Hamud 2:17PM (10/03/2006)
89 grand for a V6 with 230 HP car??I would think on paying this amount if the car was very attractive, but this is not the case. The rear is neat, very good looking, but come on, it looks like the guy that made the rear was on heavy drugs when he designed the front. What the hell is that grille for god's sake.
It looks like a car from the movie CARS, but uglier. The grille looks like a mouth. If it was a mouth it would say "buy me but don't look at me, cause if you do you will run scared..."
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Oscar 3:49PM (10/04/2006)
hideous...
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Jscro 2:42PM (10/03/2006)
Ugly AND slow? SIGN ME UP!
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Dr. Woo 2:25PM (10/03/2006)
Neat-looking and sporty...but they decided on a CAMRY V6?!
"Hey guys, let's design a badass-looking sports car with a low profile and sweeping lines...and use an engine from the most boring, sedate vehicle ever conceived!"
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W L Simpson 2:34PM (10/03/2006)
it exhibits great-----fluidity
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Ryan 2:37PM (10/03/2006)
"The grille looks like a mouth."
-That's funny I thought something else...
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Hamud 2:40PM (10/03/2006)
#8 Looks like that too, hahaahahahahhah.
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Jason_801 2:47PM (10/03/2006)
It looks like they took a beautiful supercar and partially melted it.
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dreesemonkey 2:52PM (10/03/2006)
For some reason this thing seems like it would be right at home in one of those early 90s Jackie Chan movies you see on spike tv.
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rwdmtparkingonly 2:54PM (10/03/2006)
The funny thing is that this is the company's most attractive car; this company is basically the Japanese Excalibur/Zimmer.
http://www.mitsuoka-motor.com/
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DPC car videos 3:10PM (10/03/2006)
That certainly is one interesting looking car, looks like luxury car meets super car.
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piglet 3:07PM (10/03/2006)
...well, that's one Camry that'll get noticed. Funny, I took a blowtourch to a Hot Wheels Lambroghini & it looks almost the same...minus the grille/mouth/other questionable orifice
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Mustang 3:21PM (10/03/2006)
I think it's a cross between a fish and a Mercedes Benz. LOL
Nice car though.
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Davec 3:10PM (10/03/2006)
The front reminded me of the Zando Zan alien from the 80's Sci Fi movie, The Last Starfighter.
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Oscar 3:48PM (10/04/2006)
All their vehicles are basically other manufacturer's such Infinity and Honda and redone to look the ugliest imaginable. I think they should leave them in Japan.
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BartMack 3:47PM (10/03/2006)
Oh my gosh--! Someone's totalled yet another Ferrari..
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acyow 4:09PM (10/03/2006)
I see more than a bit of Buick Lacrosse in that front-end, particularly the head-on shot. Appologies to Buick.
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