Click above to view the GTA in our gallery
Back in February we brought you initial news of the supercar being developed by Formula 3 racing team GTA. The exotic was tipped to be powered by a mid-mounted 700hp V10, however, reports circulating around the internet now suggest that the ten-cylinder powerplant for this vaporware supercar will produce closer to 800hp and be sourced from -- wait for it -- Pontiac.
We'll take that one with an overloaded container ship's worth of salt. Last we checked, GM didn't have a V10 in its parts bin, and the mere idea of the General developing a bespoke engine just for this Spanish racing outfit's nonexistent sports car is ridiculous on its face. Now, add in the detail that this mythical powerplant would then wear the Pontiac arrowhead logo -- that's straitjacket-type stuff, people. We know the General is eager to put the excitement back into the Excitement Division, but come on. Let's be rational.
[Source: PistonHeads]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Beastage @ Apr 6th 2008 5:29PM
Don't care... that car looks wonderful from all directions, someone should make it :D
Tinu @ Apr 6th 2008 10:16PM
This looks like a Ferrari F430. And a bit like Bugatti Veyron from the side.
Danmo @ Apr 7th 2008 6:05AM
Yes, nice one. It's a beatiful take on the supercars theme. The doors remind me somehow of the curves on Gaudi's buildings
Matt Keller @ Apr 6th 2008 5:33PM
I've never seen a more generic supercar.
jake @ Apr 6th 2008 6:04PM
Though its generally true of most of these last few supercar renderings, I think someone says that every single time a new supercar rendering pops up.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Apr 6th 2008 5:34PM
Well, that could be interesting.
Zane @ Apr 6th 2008 6:02PM
Mix one cup of F430 with a one-half cup of Gallardo LP, add sprinklings of some R8 and Veyron sauce, bake in a BS oven that's made by Pontiac household appliances, garnish with some Mansory powder and serve!
Yar @ Apr 6th 2008 6:02PM
Wasn't GM working on XV-12 and XV-10 when they stopped working on the XV-16? I remember hearing about Holden working on the XV-12 project in Australia (Hence the Pontiac reference, Pontiac's becoming mostly re-badged Holdens).
Sherief @ Apr 6th 2008 6:15PM
Guys, April Fool's was last week..
Eric Biran @ Apr 6th 2008 6:32PM
If you pair this with the story on BMW selling GM its engines, and consider that the M5 and M6 use a 5.0L V10, and make the stretch that BMW would sell its most exclusive motors--which would end up in Pontiac and not Cadillac, then assume this Spanish company would buy through GM rather than direct from Germany, then you might almost have something...
Tomorrow: Bob Lutz announcing GM killing Pontiac V10 due to CAFE, shifting more production to G5.
Dave @ Apr 6th 2008 7:02PM
A V10 could be derived from Pontiac's Superduty designs. The tooling is probably in the hands of marine or industrial engine builders now.
The Superduty V8s ran 500+ hp with carbs. Add fuel infection and 25% more displacement, and 700 hp sounds about right.
(Of course with pumpgas friendly CR, forced induction may be called for)
But thats a heckuva stretch. Especially if they plan to meet emmissions regs.
http://forums.performanceyears.com/forums/showthread.php?t=544505
Fooman @ Apr 6th 2008 7:24PM
In other news Cizeta-Moroder, La Forza and Vector are coming together to actually build a car.
jurm @ Apr 6th 2008 7:49PM
{sarcasm}
Why not source it from Volvo? It can't be that hard to squeeze together 2 of their 5-cylinder plants. I mean, a Pontiac v10 would require them to cut up engines in weird fractions (2.5 i4s, or 1.25 v8s) to be able to get 10 cylinders together. Plus, with Volvo, the shipping distance is shorter!
{/sarcasm}
Okay, I'm done.
summazooma @ Apr 6th 2008 9:40PM
Could it be that someone has mis-translated a hand-written note?
The only P-brand that I know of with a V10 is Porsche (and their 5.0L V10 is limited to just the Carrera GT... and since they're now seriously linked at the hips to VW/Audi, I think there's at least 2 too many V10's in the cupboard, with Lambo and Audi both having their own, as well).
DJ_Swammi @ Apr 6th 2008 9:42PM
This is all just an elaborate teaser for the new 2012 Fiero.
/kidding.
bepsf @ Apr 6th 2008 10:13PM
Perhaps the Spaniards simply confused Pontiac with Chrysler?
Eduardo @ Apr 7th 2008 12:36AM
Well ... you are not right on this one. Actually v10 engine is already here. It's 7.1 v10 and the base was corvette ls engine . How do I know this ? I can't tell but believe me ... sounds and works great ! It's beeing tested in opel racing car in Europe and also here in Michigan but just the engine itself. 2009 , 2010 ? Greetings
cowboy bob @ Apr 7th 2008 8:23AM
Really? How interesting. If this is an R&D GM thing, it will be difficult to persue in the extreame, given the newest economy/green/CAFE issues. Shut down 5 cylinders when uneeded? Small displacement/high RPM, turbo etc.etc. What fun! If only.......
mr.ed @ Apr 7th 2008 6:11AM
GM's overhead as too high to develop even a new, volume production V8. They're still making the 50+ year old Chevy motor, and now tooling's too expensive to ever change.
Jason @ Apr 7th 2008 8:50AM
What you describe is the Corvette engine. Anyone who knocks this engine should have their head examine. Just because the Japanese think the push rod engine is lousy technology doesn't make it so. The Japanese were first with the front wheel drive cars and at that time RWD cars were looked down upon.Today, it is just to the contrary. editorials looks down on FWD.