VIDEO: Korean Spirra supercar runs with the big dogs
Oullim Motors Spirra - click above image to watch the video
The big dogs in this case being a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder and a pair of Ferrari F430s. And in case you're wondering, a Spirra is a Korean supercar built by Oullim Motors and sold through Proto Motors since 2007. Looking like a not half bad mashup of a late model Toyota MR2 and an Acura NSX, what counts of course is what's under the hood. The original Spirra (by Proto) had a mid-mounted 320 hp 4.6-liter Ford Modular V8 -- essentially a Mustang Cobra motor. However, once Oullim took over, the American muscle was dropped in favor of a force inducted Hyundai V6. Specifically the 2.7-liter Delta unit out of the Tiburon.
When hooked to a supercharger, the Spirra S makes 400 hp. Not bad at all. However, when a turbocharger gets involved the Spirra Turbo generates a whopping and impressive 500 hp. Looks like there is a replacement for displacement, no? A supercar needs this sort of thrust, especially when it's going to tangle with the aforementioned big dogs of the Italian persuasion. And here's the kicker -- the Spirra only weighs about 2,200 pounds. That's one fat guy more than a Lotus Elise. Meaning its power-to-weight ratio is on the deviant side of totally insane.
Top speed is well over 200 mph, especially with something called "Mission Tuning Offset" installed. We're not really sure what that is. Nor are we sure when watching the video if we're looking at the super'd or turbocharged car, though we'll err on the side of turbo. And with a price tag (about $130,000) that's about half that of the big dogs it's running with, we think we'd like to get our hands on a Spirra. Like, yesterday. Video of the hoonage, after the jump. Thanks to Austin for the tip!
[Source: YouTube]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
lothar 3:05PM (8/24/2009)
This car should have been the next Toyota Supra.
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John Johnson 3:05PM (8/24/2009)
I yawned when I read about the 500hp in a "supercar", but perked right back up when I read "2200 pounds" - that's Miata-sized.
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hypermiler 3:07PM (8/24/2009)
I don't think this thing could compete with the big dogs; Spirra was supposed to have been released ages ago but it never did due to financial troubles.
I doubt they could match the vehicle dynamics of Italian horses.
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futurama 3:19PM (8/24/2009)
I thought the same way. In terms of pure speed, yes, why not? 500hp on 2200 pounds would be amazingly fast! however... overall quality and dynamics won't match those 'big dogs'
David 3:36PM (8/24/2009)
I wouldn't count the Koreans out just yet - that's what everyone thought when the Hyundai Excel carcasses littered the landscape. Now they're competing with Lexus. Now if the Chinese made an original supercar...I'd have to be convinced after Clarkson shakes it down and they actually sell more than a few.
ACURA23CL 3:47PM (8/24/2009)
hypermiler + futurama = HATERS...It's ran with the Italian and German about 4-5 times in a row on the video.
Once one bar is met, you guy are looking up at the next bar and saying..."Well, they hit this bar, but they didn't hit THAT one"...C'mon, give credit where credit is due.
zamafir 5:08PM (8/24/2009)
credit is due for pure speed, but go drive the other options and you'll see. I used to think it was just moving the bar to be a pain but they have a point, once you can meet the speed envelope then there are other factors, factors you get when paying for the other car, that the spirra won't meet. Just because there's a wagon you can buy as fast as those cars doesn't mean it's going to be a preferable option.
hypermiler 5:59PM (8/24/2009)
@ ACURACL23
> hypermiler + futurama = HATERS..
I am not a hater. I am just making an objective observation here.
If you are looking for a true Korean supercar, then wait until Hyundai's ZK, the supercharged V8 engined coupe intended to compete with GT-R in 2012, a true supercar from a real automaker.
Spirra isn't it.
anonymous j 9:05PM (8/24/2009)
"It's ran with the Italian and German about 4-5 times in a row on the video. "
That video is garbage, how does it in anyway prove the capabilities of the car?
krzastrm 3:16PM (8/24/2009)
Those are Ferrari 360's....I thought you guys were car guys...
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skzzilla 3:16PM (8/24/2009)
What's with the rolling starts drag races at the end? Makes me wonder what the torque curve looks like (i.e. no power to dig).
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ACURA23CL 3:44PM (8/24/2009)
I'm guessing the Spirra has one large turbo that creates a alot of additional power, but takes a while to spool up. I think that's the reason for the rolling starts. If it was from a dead stop the Ferrari and Lambo would pull off quick, and the Spirra wouldn't be able to keep up...again, off the line. If you watch each drag race, the Italian and German pull off initially, and once that large turbo spools up, the Spirra quickly catches up and overtakes.
skzzilla 3:46PM (8/24/2009)
so IT IS the next supra!
warsteiner89 3:23PM (8/24/2009)
wow. does anyone have the full specs for this car?
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HK 3:26PM (8/24/2009)
Waiting until Jeremy Clarkson tests this...
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oti_freeride 3:27PM (8/24/2009)
People who put (any kind of) music in vids with sweet rides don't realize that each time you cant hear the engine sounds cause of clubbin' tune s a baby panda dies :( But srsly they should all go die in a fire imo ...
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Jim 3:37PM (8/24/2009)
You mention the 4.6 liter Modular 8 being the Cobra engine. Isn't that the Mustang GT engine with the Cobra having a blown 5.4?
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Panoptic 3:42PM (8/24/2009)
They used a 4.6 from 1996 - 2005, with the 2000 Cobra R being an exception (with a 5.4). The 2003 and 2004 models (dubbed Terminators) were supercharged as well.
Panoptic 3:44PM (8/24/2009)
1996-2004, sorry.
Mr.Oak 3:46PM (8/24/2009)
This just raised the stakes for the C7. Which was going to be miles better in fit & finish than the C6 anyway.
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