Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Time Warp, Supercars
New Vector WX8 revives iconic American supercar name
If the name Gerald Weigert sounds familiar, you're probably a car nut of a certain age that remembers his travails trying to launch his pet supercar project, the Vector, back in the '70s, and the ensuing limited production run and financial difficulties during the '80s and early '90s. Originally powered by a turbocharged GM V8 in W8 guise, they eventually were fitted with a Lamborghini-sourced V12 in the M12 model. Fast forward to 2007, and the man that created quite a stir a generation ago with his All-American supercar is at it again. Vector Motors sent out a press release announcing their newest offering, the Vector Avtech WX8.
The full specs on the car are in the release (which you'll find after the jump), but it's fairly similar to the original plan. A race developed chassis with a bunch of aerospace technology, powered by a big V8. In this case it appears to be a Z06 mill that has been tweaked to produce 600HP, or a whopping 750 with an optional supercharger. Claimed acceleration is right in the middle of the supercar pack with 0-60 mph happening in 3.3 seconds, the quarter in 11.3 sec. at 138 mph, and a top speed of 260-270 MPH, given the proper gearing.
We'll see the car at the LA Auto Show this week, but Jalopnik ran these photos which make it look a bit like a mid-engined previous gen Camaro. We're not sure if this is the final look or not, so we'll reserve judgment.
[Source: Vector Motors via Jalopnik]
Press Release:
LOS ANGELES CA, The renowned automobile entrepreneur and vehicle designer Gerald Wiegert announced today the introduction of his latest creation - ultra-super-exotic vehicle trade named HPV for the "Vector Avtech WX-8". Gerald Wiegert, Chairman and Founder of Vector Motors Corporation, manufacturer of the Vector Avtech WX-8 ultra-supercar, announced today that the company will exhibit the Vector Avtech WX-8 at the prestigious, internationally acclaimed "Los Angeles Auto Show" from November 15th through November 24th in Los Angeles, CA.
The Los Angeles Auto Show event will be the first-ever debut of the all-American VECTOR WX-8 Hyper-Tech Performance Vehicle, and is regarded as one of the world's foremost showcase for exotic concept automobiles.
Interest in the all-new VECTOR WX8 supercar, as well as the Company's Private Placement stock offering, is intensifying due to the buzz among car enthusiasts. The new Vector Avtech WX8 is expected to establish several new records for a custom and production automobile, including a 0 to 60 in --- 0 to 100 in -- Quarter-Mile in ---- Skid Pad ------ and a top speed of------.
Vector Motors Corporation is based in Wilmington, California near the Port of Los Angeles.
FACT SHEET
The 2008 Vector Avtech WX8 a Hyper-Tech Performance Vehicle (HPV).
AMERICA'S ONLY HYPER-PERFORMANCE VEHICLE (HPV)
Projected performance:
A. 7.0 Liter Race Proven V8, made in the USA.
B. 750 hp (Supercharged)
C. 600 hp (normally aspirated)
D. 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds
E. Quarter mile 11.3 sec. at 138 mph
F. 260-270 mph top speed (Bonneville gearing)
Technical specifications and features:
q Transverse, Supercharged, all aluminum, 7.0 Liter (427 cubic inch), port fuel injected, 16 valve high-performance V8 engine, with dual air to air intercoolers and twin sequential flow, side mounted radiators.
q 15-inch diameter competition brake rotors with 6 piston calipers provide phenomenal braking capabilities. 19-inch aluminum racing wheels are complemented by race engineered tires capable of sustained high speeds.
q The all new aerodynamic high down-force WX3 body incorporates both hard edge and soft design features including: huge integrated inlet and exhaust ducts for heat exchangers, an extended tail with a high mounted, low drag symmetrical inverted high down-force airfoil wing spoiler that enhances high speed stability with aeroflaps.
q The Aerospace engineered body of the Vector A-WX8 is constructed of ultra-light Carbon fiber/E-Glass structural body panels.
q A wraparound glass to glass edge canopy with invisible A pillars differentiates the advanced styled Vector and a custom integrated three across seating system incorporating integrated storage compartments, fold down center bolsters/armrest for lateral support for maximum long distance touring comfort and utility, is a special order option.
q All jet aircraft type instrumentation panel machined from billet aluminum. Features include black anodized dash finish, military specification F- 22 Raptor switches, warning lights and reconfigurable electroluminescent 4 mode display panel, spacecraft circuit breakers, audible alarms and warning lights incorporating heads up display interface option.
q The Vector's chassis is a DOT crash tested and road proven aluminum honeycomb, semi-monoque aerospace engineered structure with a full chrome-moly race ready roll cage. The Vector's W8 structure attained the highest test results of any automotive structure tested by the DOT laboratory, and was the only auto structure ever to pass front and rear destructive tests with the same chassis.
q The Vector A-WX3 leading edge custom engineered sound system is powered by a revolutionary new technology incorporating amplifiers driving the 10 speaker system which consists of subwoofers for extreme bass output and ribbon tweeters for accurate high end sound resolution. The amplifiers are less than half the size and weight of equivalent power units.
Other standard Vector A-WX8 features include:
q High output air conditioning and ventilation
q Custom designer developed all leather interior
q Custom prototype stereo system
q Power steering with an adjustable tilt-telelescopic column
q Cruise control
q Retractable power mirrors
q Aircraft type flush windows
q Airbags
q Fully adjustable 2 abreast seating
q Sequential clutch-less automatic/manual shifting
q Two large storage compartments
Projected production for the 2008 Vector A-WX8 is scheduled at a very limited number of
units per year, with an anticipated sales, price to be determined by the Company and its dealer network.
The Vector A-WX8 represents more horse power, more torque, more features, more substance and superior man/machine environmental comfort than any other supercar ever offered. The A-WX8 is user friendly, easy to maintain and service. This "aerospace engineered" machine establishes a new paradigm in the high-end performance vehicle category.
VECTOR MOTORS CORPORATION has just created the next generation Vector Avtech WX8 Hyper-performance Vehicle (HPV), code named the Vector Avtech WX-8 Its design represents a significant aerodynamic and aesthetic breakthrough and calculated departure from the previous W8 supercar, while still maintaining the Vector character and family identity.
The Vector A-WX8 body and aerodynamic shape, hard trailing edges with softer leading edge contours. The all-new design incorporates numerous NASA type technology transfer features to solidify the Company's and Mr. Wiegerts' philosophy of "aerospace technology for the road".
The Vector A-WX8 features an all-new titanium valve 7.0 liter, 750 + hp engine which is unequalled in displacement and performance. The Supercharged engine has horsepower potential to 1200+hp. The normally aspirated version, is in the range of 600 to 700 hp. Projected speed of the extreme Vector Avtech WX8 HPV at maximum boost is in excess of 270 mph, with 0 to 60 mph times projected in the 3.0 to 3.3 second range.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
EricDJ 8:14PM (11/13/2007)
I thought it was a modified camaro at first. Glad it wasn't just me
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paul34 8:35PM (11/13/2007)
As did I. Then I looked again, and saw the face of a Supra.
Then I looked again, and saw the rear of a Gallardo.
American? =(
Alex 9:55PM (11/13/2007)
heh, agreed. I took a first look and thought "why is someone making that Hotwheels Concept Camaro i used to play with as a kid?"
right now it looks pretty shoddy. i wait for the real deal before i think too hard on this car.
Philthy 8:16PM (11/13/2007)
First thing I thought was that 1980's Charlie Sheen movie "The Wraith". Cool back then (when I was 6), not so much now.
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riggs 10:54AM (11/14/2007)
man i just thought the same thing haha, that movie needs a remake.
Esprit bird 8:17PM (11/13/2007)
i thought the same thing.
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Noah 8:23PM (11/13/2007)
Supercharged Z06 engine? That is madness!
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importjap 8:25PM (11/13/2007)
Can't see to well but those headlights are very Supra-esque.
Sounds like an insane car, I hope it's built proper.
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Smeagle 8:30PM (11/13/2007)
They look so much like supra lights, I think they have just taken a second hand set and taped them in. I guess its not production ready then...
tc 8:30PM (11/13/2007)
Regardless of how ugly the Vector is (my subjective opinion here), you gotta give Gerald props for keeping his automotive dreams alive. The Vector was kind of an odd-ball supercar in the '80s. I doubt Vector made any money trying to build a supercar, but as a car nut and fan of all types of cars, I'm glad to see that Vector is still giving it a go and trying to build a great supercar.
TC
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John 8:34PM (11/13/2007)
i think it looks more like a today supercar, not 80s, and it is awsome they are trying to put it together still but i hope they put some of the last 30year's technology into it and not go with its original specs!!! overall i think it rocks and the camaro look in the front actually looks good with a lamboish rear!!! im all for it if they make it with 750hp and new cool stuff!!!
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Reuben 8:37PM (11/13/2007)
About time the true American supercar returns. Long live Vector!
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Tom 9:36PM (11/13/2007)
True American supercar RETURNS? What do you call the Saleen S7 or the Mosler MT900? Although looking at the specs, air bags, cruise control, a tilt/telescopic wheel, the Vector will be more of a real road car. As far as the looks, given the mat black body work, I would assume it's a work in progress.
Perry 11:50PM (11/13/2007)
The Saleen S7 chassis is made in Britain.
Joshua 8:42PM (11/13/2007)
At first glance I also though it was an old junker camaro with a cheap body kit. I hope the out of date "styling" isn't accompanied by out of date engineering. Looking at the car I'd have to wonder.
Also - why isn't the supercharger standard? I'm not arguing that 600hp isn't enough, but offering an upgrade the base engine lessens the impact of what should be represented as the ultimate vehicle.
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MosquitoControl 8:45PM (11/13/2007)
So... will all of these catch on fire, too?
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xpolarx 8:57PM (11/13/2007)
Noble M12 ass, Mosler MT900 rear quarter, Chopped Camaro middle, Elongated Supra Front-end with a little eyeliner on the headlights. It looks like they just cut up a few performance cars, stuck the pretty parts on a tube frame and patched the gaps with some carbon fiber. I hope the final looks a little more...i don't know...original?
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Kurt B 9:27PM (11/13/2007)
You want 700+ American HP? - get a Lingenfelter
Personally I'd rather have an Ultima
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Dave 10:01PM (11/13/2007)
I wonder who is supplying the transaxle for a transverse V8 with that kind of torque/power.
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mk 10:07PM (11/13/2007)
transverse engine layout???
I realize that is shorter, but it is also harder to work with.
The car is already very long, but now it is also ungainly wide.
the flush glass, canopy, and jet tech sounds fantastic.
The Pagani Zonda and McLaren F1 have much tidier and attractive dimensions. I don't even mind the idea of a pushrod engine. The S7 has one, too. I wouldn't have gone transverse, just to be different. Longitudinal seems like a better idea, and the wheelbase certainly appears to be able to handle it.
There is even a transaxle that has a transverse gearset, but the bellhousing for a longitudinal engine, if rear overhang is that much of an issue.
Like the former iterations, some of the details seem very interesting and innovative and original, other things are just ostentatious for the sake of being bold, especially in the styling. It ends up being overall more odd than truly appealing.
If Weigert would less worried about being more outrageous than the rest of the crowd, and pushing the aesthetic limits, the car might look slightly more "normal" as supercars go, and still be technically innovative and push the performance envelope.
such a wide and outrageous body just adds aerodynamic drag and makes the car hard to drive in proximity to other cars and at parking-lot speeds. I am sure it will look great with all sorts of dings and scratches from garage door openings, and parking lot encounters. drivers are going to love parking this thing.
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