Spartan V trackday racer finally ready for prime time [w/video]

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Australia, Specialty, MISC, Racing

A few things have changed since the Spartan V track car was announced almost three years ago. Back in 2010, the red open-top sportscar from Australia was slated to be a 661-pound apex-hugger with 170 horsepower coming from a 1,200-cc Ducati engine. The slinky red bodywork remains, but the engine now comes from Honda: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turns the output wick up to 250 hp. Opt for the supercharger and benefit from 400 horsepower. Weight has predictably gone up as well, the Spartan V now clocking in at 1,100 pounds, while top speed has come down from 173 miles per hour to 149 mph.

With just enough of an interior to keep you on the paved bits, the Spartan V still shouldn't have any problem going fast, though, as the video below proves. There will be just 300 made, and the price quoted in Spartan's press release below is $95,000 - we'll assume that US dollars. The price in Australia is $79,000 AUD (about $82,000 US), so you can save yourself a few large if you already have a second home Down Under.

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Spartan V trackday racer finally ready for prime time [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spartan V track car is a motorcycle on four wheels

Zach Bowman — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Australia, Racing

Spartan V track car - Click above for image gallery

Just when you thought the communal fascination with Frank Miller's 300 had all but washed away, a track machine dedicated to the ancient fighting Spartans hit the scene. Meet the Spartan V - a lightweight all-star with a heart borrowed from Ducati. That's right, this machine hits the scales at less than 661 pounds and packs 170 horsepower from a 1200 cc Italian mill.

In other words, it should absolutely go like stink.

The company behind the project says that the Spartan V should be able to click off the 0-60 mph dash in less than three seconds on its way to a top speed of 173 mph thanks to a sequential six-speed gearbox. If you're looking for a motorcycle on four wheels, this is it.

The vehicle uses a tubular space-frame chassis clad in plenty of carbon fiber to keep the pounds off, and those sexy double-hoop roll bars can be swapped out for an FIA-compatible single-hoop should you decide to enter the heat of competition. It all sounds good, sure, but if you want one you'll have to shell out $84,321 at current conversion rates. Madness? This is the Spartan V.

Gallery: Spartan V

[Source: Spartan V]

Spartan V track car is a motorcycle on four wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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