Autoblog

Short Circuit: Farbio releases GT350 Track Day Car

Noah Joseph — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:29:00 EST

With increasing restrictions and constricting traffic hampering driver's good times, many are looking to organized track days as an outlet for speedy thrills. This is especially true in the UK, where independent supercar manufacturer Farbio is based. And with that growing niche market in mind, Farbio has taken some weight out of its GTS supercar to give birth to its own Track Day Car.

Yes, that is its official name, and no, it's not very imaginative. But we have a feeling anyone who gets their hands on the car's steering wheel won't particularly care what it's called. From the standard GTS350 Supercharged, with its forced-induction 350hp 3.0-liter V6, Farbio has stripped out the interior, replaced the fuel tank with a sack, and fitted a new transmission and limited-slip differential as well as semi-slick Toyo R888 racing rubber. The more powerful GTS450 can also be ordered in Track Day Car specification, but Farbio will only build 25 examples in all, starting at £73,500 (equivalent to $112k USD) before optional extras. Farbio released only the one photo you see above (along with a press release you'll find after the jump), but you can check out the standard GTS in the gallery below.

Gallery: Farbio GTS

[Source: Farbio]

Continue reading Short Circuit: Farbio releases GT350 Track Day Car

Short Circuit: Farbio releases GT350 Track Day Car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Faster Farbio GTS 400 on its way

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:56:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Supercars, UK

CAR just tested the newly updated Farbio GTS 400 and they seem to have enjoyed it. The original Farbio GTS was already available in normally aspirated or supercharged form, but the old engine put out just 384 hp with the blower. This year's new GTS 400 flagship puts ot 410 hp thanks to new pistons and connecting rods, among other things. Former Marcos and Invicta head Chris Marsh is the man behind this V6-powered carbon fiber-bodied supercar. He bought Farboud from its founder Arash Farboud and restructured the company, renamed it Farbio, and moved it to the Cotswolds near Bath.

He has stuck with off-the-rack, treid-and-true components wherever possible to make this lightweight supercar somewhat affordable, reliable and workable. Still, at £94,000 or 110,000 Euro, it's no Hyundai Accent. Some will say that's way too much for a little-known brand, especially when that amount could get you something like an Audi R8, but where's the fun in that? These cars appeal to the person who wants something different. If this sounds like your cup of tea, know that the GTS 400 will now do the the sprint from zero to 100km/h in just 3.7sec while charging to a top speed of 180 mph. The force-fed V6 is also said to be good for 24 mpg imperial. While many of the details remind us of other supercars on the market, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Knowing these cottage builders still exist is one of the things we are most thankful for this time of year.

[Source: Car Magazine via Caradisiac]

Faster Farbio GTS 400 on its way originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Farboud's Latest: Arash reveals final form of AF10 supercar

Noah Joseph — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:03:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, UK

Click above for high-res gallery of the Arash AF10

Britain's history is punctuated in no small part by the proliferation of its cottage industry. And while the industrial revolution may have taken care of that to a large degree, it's still alive and thriving in the realm of the supercar. Small independent exotic automakers abound, including names like Ascari, Ultima, Noble, Farboud, Farbio and Arash, to name just a few. Trying to keep track of them all is enough to make your head spin, especially when the same guy is behind the latter three. After selling off Farboud, the new owners changed the name to Farbio and founder Arash Farboud started a new outfit under his first name. What you see here are the first proper images of his latest creation, the Arash AF10.

The carbon-fiber body, which (aside from the adjustable front wing) bears a startling resemblance to the Ferrari Enzo, is laid over a carbon fiber chassis for a sprightly low curb weight of 1,200kg (about 2,600 lbs). Power is provided by the 7-liter pushrod V8 out of the Corvette Z06, tuned from the stock 498 hp up to 530 thanks to new intake and exhaust systems, driving the rear wheels through a manual Graziano gearbox and kept in check by AP Racing brakes. The supercar is expected to sell for about 170k pounds sterling - a fair bit less than the £220k a Lamborghini Murcielago will cost a British customer - and begin delivery sometime next year. A sequential gearbox is expected to join the catalog, as well as the potential for dropping in the supercharged V8 from the Corvette ZR1 a year and a half down the line. In the meantime you can check it out in the gallery below.

Gallery: Arash AF10

[Source: Arash]

Farboud's Latest: Arash reveals final form of AF10 supercar originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Britain's newest supercar entrant: Farbio GTS

Dan Roth — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 10:04:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Supercars

Farbio. Not sold on the name, but we're sure there's a good reason behind it. Someone from the English sports car maker will email us and tell us that it's the maiden name of owner Chris Marsh's beloved grandmother or something, so we won't mock it, just state that it doesn't roll off the tongue. Besides, why would we want to upset the maker of such a nicely turned out car as the Farbio GTS?

There are two versions of the mid-engined sportster: fast and faster. Fast is the 262HP GTS, which can run to 60MPH in 4.8 seconds thanks to its 3-liter V6. Faster sees the V6 fitted with a supercharger, boosting the horsepower by over 100 to 384, and shaving 9 tenths off the 0-60 time, which drops to 3.9 seconds. No new ground is broken when it comes to styling, but that's not to say it's ugly, either. The GTS is reminiscent of several of our favorite cars, and the lines are trim and simple. Inside the carbon fiber shell is plenty of comfort with leather and alcantara, a nav system, and enough room for a 6' 6" driver in the Sparco seats. There's even decent storage space in the rump, so you could go grand touring for a weekend with actual luggage. Orders are backed up for the next 8 months, so you'll have time to save.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Gallery: Farbio GTS

Britain's newest supercar entrant: Farbio GTS originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Sep 2007 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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