Autoblog

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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Donto Motors P1 to take on Ariel Atom, KTM X-Bow

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: South America, Racing

Donto Motors P1 - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you've never heard of Argentina-based Donto Motors before, you're not alone. However, just because this company has remained out of the spotlight doesn't mean they don't have big things in the works - how about a hardcore track day racer designed to compete with the likes of the Ariel Atom and KTM X-Bow? If it ever sees production, Donto Motors' P1 should easily fit right in with these odd/awesome track toys.

The rear-mounted engine is a Volkswagen/Audi-sourced 1.8-liter turbocharged inline-four that produces 180 horsepower, and it looks like Donto took visual cues from Audi, as well. The front end's large side vents are reminiscent of a certain supercar that we've grown quite fond of, and the rest of the body work is made up of a split construction, in which it's designed to look as if the body is floating on the FIA-approved chassis. The whole thing weighs just over 1,500 pounds, too, so we imagine that the end result will be a spirited little whip for track day fun.

Donto is hoping to keep the P1 priced around $55,000, and the United States is one of the countries that could receive the lightweight roadster if it goes into production. Emphasis on the word "if." Head over to Diseno-art.com for more.

Gallery: Donto Motors P1

[Source: Diseno-art.com]

Donto Motors P1 to take on Ariel Atom, KTM X-Bow originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Found for sale: Lotus 11 replica track car

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 08:15:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Lotus

Lotus 11 replica track car for sale - click above for a high res image gallery

As we were rolling through Lexington, OH this weekend after leaving the ALMS race at Mid-Ohio, we spotted an interesting yellow car sitting in a lot. This knee-high roadster is a replica of the Lotus 11, one of the most successful small bore race cars of the late 1950s. Colin Chapman designed the 11 with a Frank Costin body and built it between 1956 and 1958. Some 270 examples were originally built but over the last half century, countless replicas have been built. The basic idea was revived by Lotus a couple of years ago with the Elise base 2-Eleven.

We have no idea what kind of engine is in this particular car, but based on the license plate on the back, we're assuming this car is street legal. Judging by the minimal interior, any new owner will likely want to restrict their road driving to just getting the car to the track. On a closed course such a low slung, lightweight machine is likely to be huge fun even without much power.

Gallery: Lotus 11 replica track car for sale

Found for sale: Lotus 11 replica track car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 Aug 2009 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fuoss 01 track car coming in 2009

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Specialty

Click above for high-res shots of the Fuoss 01

Europeans track junkies have one more option vying for their hard-earned cash. Using the same philosophy as vehicles from Lotus, Caterham and KTM, the Fuoss 01 relies on its light weight for acceptable performance. But with only a 40-hp, 400cc Suzuki motorcycle engine motivating the 660-pound one-seater, V-Max is a very limited 90 mph. Regardless, the Fuoss should be an entertaining track tool, particularly with its five-speed sequential transmission cribbed from Suzuki keeping the motor on boil. The driver sits as low as possible and with no heavy roof overhead, mass is centralized down low. Only ten examples are planned for its first year of production in 2009, so if you want one of the €29,000 machines, you'd better act fast.

Gallery: Fuoss 01 track car

[Source: World Car Fans]

Fuoss 01 track car coming in 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

LusoMotors LM23: 150hp, Honda CBR-powered track car

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Performance, Lotus, Specialty

Click above for more shots of the LusoMotors LM23

Track cars powered by motorcycle engines are becoming increasingly popular as the superbike mills, usually mounted amidships, provide tons of power for their small displacement and low weight. Further evidence of this truth is seen in the LusoMotors LM23, a Lotus replica powered by a one-liter Honda CBR1000 engine making about 150 horsepower. Weighing just under 900 pounds, the power-to-weight ratio of this machine would be enough to scare just about any other car you are likely to meet at the track while its light weight would surely allow for plenty of grip in the corners. The high performance of the LM23 is fitting, as the Lotus 23B design on which its based was such a giant killer that it was banned at Le Mans in the early sixties for being too fast for its small displacement.

A quick glance at the chassis shows such track-ready details as inboard-mounted coilovers and a tube frame complete with integrated roll bar. The chassis sits under composite bodywork, just like the original Lotus, though the modern interpretation adds carbon fiber to the traditional fiberglass skin. It looks like we have another Lotus replica set to join the ranks of the numerous Seven variations already sitting in our fantasy garages.

Gallery: LusoMotors LM23

[Source: CarScoop]

LusoMotors LM23: 150hp, Honda CBR-powered track car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Lotus 2-Eleven even faster than anticipated

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 17:24:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Lotus

Click on the photo for a high-res gallery of Lotus 2-Eleven images

The Lotus 2-Eleven, unveiled just prior to the Geneva Motor Show, recently hit the track for the first time. Apparently the results were good -- very good, in fact! AutoCar ireports that acceleration for the 1474 lb speedster is already beating initial projections, with 0-60 taking just 3.9 seconds and 100mph arriving in 8.9 seconds from a dead stop. The £39,995 track-only version will start rolling off the line at Hethel next month.

[Source: AutoCar]

Gallery: Lotus 2-Eleven track car

Lotus 2-Eleven even faster than anticipated originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Mar 2007 17:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

0-60 in 3 Sec.: RoadRazer track-day car in the works

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Europe, Supercars

Ever wonder what an Ariel Atom would look like with full bodywork? Apparently somebody has. Danish owner and builder Mikkel Steen Pedersen has put together another track-day special that looks like a formula car without the stickers.

Called the RoadRazer, this new superlight supercar features a carbon fiber/aluminum honeycomb monocoque, aluminum double wishbones at each corner, a Quaife differential, and Hyabusa engine pushing 175 hp through a 6-speed sequential transmission using steering mounted paddle shifters. Dry weight is only 660 pounds so this should be quite capable of achieving the sprint to 60 in 3 seconds or less. And just for the record, that 660-pound weight is almost half the Atom's curb weight.

And despite its formula car looks, the RoadRazer is actually a tandem two-seater, although passengers may prefer to just wait their turn and take the car out themselves when the driver gets tired of whipping off hot laps.

The first car has been completed except the paint and should be ready for a public viewing in January. Expected price on the RoadRazer is £49,000 or $92,500, which is almost twice the Atom's asking price. That would make it a slightly tougher sell, although that number is just a best guess by Pedersen at this point.

[Source: PistonHeads]

0-60 in 3 Sec.: RoadRazer track-day car in the works originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Sep 2006 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments