Autoblog

Click above for high-res gallery of the Artega GT Intro 2008 Edition

What started as an innocent crush last year in Geneva and blossomed into a budding romance in Frankfurt, has finally turned into a full-blown obsession. Our first introduction to the Artega GT proved love isn't blind, particular when Henrik Fisker pens it. The sensuous curves of the initial prototype had us drooling from across the room, and after seeing the production version late last year in Frankfurt, it quickly found a slot in our dream garage.

One year later, we're still smitten. The combination of the Artega's small footprint, 300-hp rear-mounted DI V6, and carbon fiber bodywork has us on pins and needles. And for the 99 lucky souls that got their orders in early, they'll be receiving a limited edition "Intro 2008" model swathed in either Vanillegelb or Tiefseeblau, a bespoke interior and lightweight, five-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in Pilot Sport PS2 Michelins. The cost of entry is just under 80,000 euros and if you've got the coin to purchase one of the 170 models Artega is expected to produce annually, you can pour over all the details in the press release after the jump.

click above to view a high-res gallery of the Artega GT

When we first saw the Artega GT at last year's Geneva auto show, we fell in love. The Fisker-designed sportscar looks like a synergetic cross between a Porsche Boxster and an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, but photogenic as it, it looks absolutely curvalicious in person. It took us a few minutes of drooling to realize that it was just a mock-up, and a mechanically functional prototype was shown months later in Frankfurt. (We fell in love with it all over again there.) Led by former Rolls Royce chief Klaus Dieter Frers, Artega is just about ready to begin delivery of the first editions, but not before it gives us another look at this year's Geneva show a little over a month from now.

For any ordinary person, €75,000 is a big hunk of change. But when you consider that you're getting an exclusive carbon fiber supercar about as common as an Alfa 8C Competizione, and arguably just as good-lookin', it suddenly seems like a bargain. (Funny how Fisker can do that.) Look forward to the details and live shots we'll be sure to bring you next month from Switzerland..

[Source: Artega]

Click the image above for a gallery of high-res pics.

We've only seen the Artega GT twice, but both times we came away completely smitten with the svelte, MX-5-sized coupe. It has everything we love in an automobile: lightweight (through the use of carbon fiber body panels and an aluminum space frame), power (a 300 hp, 3.6-liter rear-mounted V6) and achingly gorgeous lines (it was penned by ex-Aston designer Henrik Fisker). What more could we ask for? Well, for starters, we'd like to have it here in the States, but that's not likely to happen in the first few years of production. And apparently, it won't be selling in the UK until Artega is able to recoup the costs of converting the GT to right-hand drive.

Regardless of the logistical downsides, everything is a go for sales to begin in May of next year. The company has begun work on its factory and with its new digs running full bore, Artega expects to produce 170 units in 2008 and 320 the following year.

[Source: Autocar]

Click the image above for more shots of the production Artega GT.

We're a pretty jaded bunch here at Autoblog HQ, so when it comes to a new automotive offering, the cynics among us have a tendency to dismiss some vehicles as unworthy of our attention, let alone affection. The Artega GT is the exception to the rule.

Designed by Henrik Fisker of Aston Martin fame, the Artega GT has proven that automotive perfection is still attainable in a world rife with mediocrity. The exterior styling speaks for itself, so we'll let you peruse our gallery to draw your own conclusions. Its small footprint (74 inches wide and 157 inches long) combined with a midship drivetrain will surely prove worthy when the going gets twisty. And with a DSG-controlled, VW-sourced 3.6-liter V6 sitting behind the driver, it's pure engineering perfection. Inside, the Paragon-styled interior gets a host of high-class touches, particularly the combination tach/speedo setup and minimalist switchgear.

If we had the talent, motivation and funding to design our own ideal ride, the Artega GT would be it. Thankfully, it's been slated for production and beginning next spring drivers in Europe can pony up the €70,000 cost of entry for one of the most inspiring bespoke coupes to come to market in a decade.

Click the image for Noah Joseph's gallery of pics.

It's hard to choose our favorite unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show, but one of our top picks was the Paragon Artega GT, penned by Henrik Fisker of Aston Martin fame. The sleek coupe had a diminutive footprint, but was easily one of the design heavyweights of the show.

Paragon, a German automotive supplier, intended the Artega GT to be a rolling showcase of what the company was capable of. The coupe is powered by a VW-sourced, mid-mounted 3.5L V6, producing 300 HP and sending power through a six-speed DSG. Under the carbon fiber body panels resides an aluminum space frame that allows the Artega to tip the scales at just over 2,400 pounds. Coupled with the aforementioned V6, the GT can climb to 60 MPH in five seconds and on to a top speed of 168 MPH.

Approximately 500 Artegas will be produced, with orders being taken in November and deliveries beginning sometime next summer. Pricing wasn't announced, but it's expected to be below the $100k mark.