Kiwi supercar coming in 2008
The recently launched Caparo T1 may already have met its match, and it comes from an unlikely source. New Zealand based Hulme Supercars Ltd. is planning to build an extreme race-car-for-the-road called the Hulme. Powered by a 5.0L V8 engine sourced from BMW, the Hulme develops 550 HP, but weighs in around 1175 kg, which is quite a bit more than the Caparo. The company hopes to begin production next year and claims it can build 25 cars a year. List price is an eye-watering £310,000 (US$620K).
Hulme Supercars states that the idea behind this car is to make it as close to a Formula 1 experience as possible, so the car comes with a mid-mounted engine and full carbon fiber construction. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and the car is RWD only with a LSD.
The company and car are named after Danny Hulme, who won the Can-Am championship almost 40 years ago. There are even plans to commemorate this with a Can-Am convertible version, as well as an engine designed more for American tastes. We're not sure what they're talking about, as big V8s from BMW are universally appealing.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
LeRobert 5:12PM (9/17/2007)
It's hideous ... but then again, people with that sort of money usually have no artistic taste. The higher the price tag, the more they want to buy it. Just because they can. Damn I wish I were as rich.
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Brian 5:18PM (9/17/2007)
That will never pass Pedestrian crash tests, etc unfortunately. I personally would like to see the govt mandating that clothing have air bags instead of making cars have to meet pedestrian saftey standards.
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Byron 5:24PM (9/17/2007)
FYI, Danny Hulme is also the 1967 F1 Champion
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The Doctor 5:28PM (9/17/2007)
So it's heavier, less powerful, almost twice the price of the Caparo and hasn't been designed by former McLaren engineers? Hmm... I'd suggest the Kiwis stick to zorb balls.
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2004m3driver 5:31PM (9/17/2007)
meh I like it, just not the idea. Only time you could enjoy a car like this is on the track, so might as well buy a track only car for much less considering rich people already spend 60-100k a year on racing lessons. A bugatti for the road a F1 wannabe for the track. Or if you really have the money a real F1 car.
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F451 5:35PM (9/17/2007)
I'd love to own this automobile! My only grievance are the chrome wheels...I don't like chrome.
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Alex 10:59AM (9/18/2007)
if you can afford this car you can afford to go get the boys from BBS to make you some cusom wheels.
studemax 6:02PM (9/17/2007)
It was Denny, not Danny.....
However - the car looks like a Formula One for two people with a roof. Probably a blast to drive, useless as a real road car.
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iPhoneResidentObssesive 6:05PM (9/17/2007)
looks like a chopped enzo
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SPG 6:12PM (9/17/2007)
I don't like F1 cars or F1 racing but this car at the right test track would be tons of fun.
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Mr K 6:18PM (9/17/2007)
Okay a couple of points
1) the car was designed by Students
2) it's Denny Hulme, not Danny :D
3) the car is street legal, passing all tests
4) it's FRIGGIN HOT, - yeah I'm a kiwi :D
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Mike 7:04PM (9/17/2007)
Orange, if done properly, equals HOT.
Therefore:
This car is HOT :D
Moltenauto 6:25PM (9/17/2007)
At that weight you could get a 700+ hp Ultima GTR, and at a fraction of the cost. It won't have the funky F1 nose and front wing, but with your extra $500,000 I'm sure you can work out something.
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kiwiNick 7:49PM (9/17/2007)
Otara Reprezent!
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MGBYG 9:21PM (9/17/2007)
The whole damn thing has a Kohler Plumbing look to it...a HUGE orange urinal with tires.
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Preevo 10:22PM (9/17/2007)
I'm pretty sure the orange is a nod to another famous New Zealander Bruce McLaren, same colour as his racing cars.
I really like the look of the car, though as someone else said the first thing I would do if I could ever afford to buy one would be change the wheels.
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importjap 10:21PM (9/17/2007)
I'll reserve any judgment till I see this on a track, I have a feeling it'll be a lot better than deriders on here are making out.
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Yubastard 11:13PM (9/17/2007)
"big V8s from BMW are universally appealing."
-I concur
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cardo 11:47PM (9/17/2007)
I like it, i think it looks great xcept maybe the rims should be 5 spoke matt black.
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